Date published: August 30, 2022
Photo: JMSportPix
Cian Tyrer scored a new club record number of points in the game against West Wales
Rochdale Hornets ran in a staggering 19 tries en route to a record 102-4 win over the West Wales Raiders.
The Hornets were ruthless throughout their penultimate home game of the season with Gregg McNally, Cian Tyrer and Jy Hitchcox all scoring hat tricks.
And, Gary Thornton’s side wasted no time getting started with Hitchcox getting his first try with just over two minutes on the clock.
Tyrer, taking on goalkeeping duties for the first time this season, didn’t go wrong with his first of many conversions.
The winger would then play a key role in Rochdale’s second try as he made good ground to line up a West Wales kick, before finding Dan Nixon accelerating brilliantly – from the halfway – to cross the blank.
At the end of the first quarter, Tyrer got his own try.
After a fine break from McNally, the full-back worked the ball to the right edge, via Ben Calland, where the former Newcastle Thunder man ran for his first score of the afternoon.
The visitors then fought back with a successful try through hooker Shane Lee, but it was to be their only score of an afternoon to forget at the Crown Oil Arena.
A sharper back game would then see McNally get his first try, after some excellent link-up play between half-backs Cobi Green and Rangi Chase.
The Hornets would then turn the screw in the final ten minutes of halftime, scoring four quick tries through Aiden Roden, Tyrer, Chase and Rob Worrincy to take a 42-4 lead at the break.
Three more well-worked tries, within ten minutes of half-time, saw Roden, Hitchcox and McNally double their score.
At this point, Rochdale’s momentum was seemingly unstoppable and Tyrer’s fine shot-on-target display helped shine even more light between the two sides.
Captain McNally would then become the first player to score a hat trick.
Having seen a try disallowed moments before, the Ireland international couldn’t be denied when he crossed the line and traded passes with Hitchcox before going under the posts.
Tyrer followed suit, some three minutes later, after Nixon picked the in-form winger to score again in the right corner.
As the Hornets fullbacks smashed their way through the Raiders’ defense at will, the forwards also left their mark.
Connor Aspey got his first try by executing an excellent line of support, on a typically powerful break from Gavin Bennion.
That was followed by Ben Killan who got his second try in as many games, after getting a well-timed pass from Hitchcox.
Three minutes later, Hitchcox would choose to play alone – after another breakdown down the left edge – and would be duly rewarded with his third try of the match.
With the score now 84-4, and eight minutes to go, attention has turned to a potential century.
Warrington Wolves loanee Dan Brewin would get the first of three required scores, after an early break from midfield also allowed his first try for the club.
Again Rochdale found success down the left edge moments later as Worrincy scored his second of the afternoon in clinical fashion.
Hooker Aspey would then become the sixth Hornets player to score multiple tries on the day and, in doing so, bought the century for his team.
Tyrer netted the conversion with the game’s final act to take his tally to 38 points – a club record by an individual in a league game.
The 102 points scored in total is also a record for the Hornets in league rugby, as is the margin of victory of 98 points.
After a historic victory, attention now turns to the final game of the regular season next Sunday (September 4) at the Crown Oil Arena, where the Thornton side will host the champions Keighley Cougars – who are looking to a 20th consecutive victory (kick at 3 p.m. – when stopped).
Hornets: McNally, Worrincy, Hitchcox, Nixon, Tyrer, Chase, Green; Bennion, Roden, Killan, Forster, Calland, Whitehead.
Exchanges: Taira, Aspey, Metcalfe, Brewin.
Tries: Hitchcox (3′, 46′, 71′), Nixon (13′), Tyrer (20′, 34′, 61′), McNally (28′, 49′, 58′), Roden (31′, 44 ‘), Chase (37′), Worrincy (40′, 77′), Aspey (64′, 78′), Killan (68′), Brewin (74’)
Goals: Tyrer, 13/19
Raiders: O’Sullivan, Agar, Holden, Pridgeon, Wilde, Merrett, Jones; Bodham, Lee, Boots, Allen, Harries, Burke.
Trades: Cane, Whitlock, Moyle, Jackson.
Tries: Lee (23′)
Goals: Lee, 0/1
Georges Newell
