Hornets' incredible playoff odyssey continues as a gritty second half blitz blew away Keighley's 14 point lead and left Cougars coach Barry Eaton deep into a family pack of tissues by the time Radio Leeds got to him.

Producing a small onion, Eaton opined about how his side was undone by 'dubious' decisions from the officials. If he'd looked closer, he'd have seen his side out muscled in the second period, gradually running out of steam and ideas to the point where they reverted to the only thing that Barry knows: kicking a flaccid penalty in an attempt to reboot their ailing gameplan.

But amongst all of this, Hornets showed resilience, commitment and enough mongrel in their game to power past the Cougars and set up a mouthwatering all-or-nothing tie against Oldham at Boundary Park next week.

The game started at a fast pace, both sets of half backs bringing willing forwards into the line and spraying passes out to the threequarters. And it was Hornets who opened the scoring on 9 minutes; Paul Rolls jinking into space and Martin Ainscough talking a neat pass off his shoulder to plant the ball under the black dot. Carl Sneyd converted and the large Hornets following celebrated in style.

But the score acted as a catalyst for the home side as they blasted in down the slope for four tries in 15 minutes. First it was Rayner looping wide on the right from 50 metres, then a similar effort from Presley down the left to leave the visitors reeling. Then two sucker tries from 20 metre scrums looked to have taken the game out of Hornets reach at 24-6.

But with the hooter's cry hanging in the air, Hornets worked the ball swiftly up the right flank where Leroy Rivett slipped a peach of a pass for Sneyd to score by the flag. The conversion proved too much of a test, but at 24-10, Hornets had a foothold back in the game.

Hornets began the second period in ruthless fashion. Steaming down the Lawkholme slope, Rolls and Ainscough fed willing forwards into the home defense and cracks began to appear.

With momentum on Hornets' side, Rolls' grubber forced a repeat set and, when Janan Billings ripped open the defence to scamper 30 metres, the ball was shipped wide where Ian Sinfield powered in.

Two minutes later, Billings was again the fulcrum, working a pass to Dave Cunliffe who barged over his opposite number to touch down. And when Rollsy, 'Bomber' Sneyd and Leroy Rivett combined up the right wing to send Chris Giles in under the posts, Hornets - astonishingly - had a 26-24 lead. Keighley were spent.

With the game becoming an arm-wrestle, both sides struggled to find an opening; Keighley's only contribution to the second half coming after an hour when Jones took two points to tie the scores. But it failed to spark a revival.

Keighley's last roll of the dice came after 70 minutes when a fumble at the play the ball saw their drop goal attempt negated,

As Keighley's legs turned to lead, Hornets sucked in for one last push. More superb forward play took the visitors close to the Keighley line and, again, it was Sinfield hitting the ball at pace in the Centre channel for the try that broke the Cougars resistance and sent the visting fans bananas.

This was, by far, the performance of this topsy-turvy season. Hornets now have a rich seam of steel running through the side and look the match for anyone on the day.

As the Hornets vociferous fans celebrated with the players, news began to filter through that Oldham had gone down to Doncaster, meaning that we visit Boundary Park next week, for what promises to be a classic.
Keighley 26 Hornets 32
Keighley Preview
Cougars coach Barry Eaton has warned his side that they will need to be at their best to avoid being stung by the in-form Hornets.

Eaton said: “Last week’s result for Rochdale was very good and it looked like it was a resounding result as well.

“We need to be on our guard because I’m certain that Rochdale’s form over the last eight weeks or so has been right up there with the best sides in Co-operative National League Two.”

Keighley prop forward Andy Shickell, who scored a hat-trick during last week’s win over Workington, is doubtful with a calf strain.

He missed training on Tuesday night as a precautionary measure but Eaton admitted that he expected Shickell to recover in time for Sunday’s clash.

Hornets boss Darren Shaw said: “Everyone’s looking forward to this game.

“The character within our side was very good last week, when we had to do a lot of work in defence.

“I’ve already had a look at Keighley. They’re a very well-drilled side and it’s going to be a real battle for us if we want to progress.” (Source www.therfl.co.uk)

£2000 to be won

The Grand Final
‘The Co-operative National League Grand Final’ on Sunday 28th September 2008 at The Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington.

Televised kick off times are now confirmed as follows:

13.30 (National League 2)
16.00 (National League 1)
11.00 (Rugby League Conference National Grand Final)

Keighley Coach
“...The supporters’ coach leaves Spotland Stadium at 12.30pm on Sunday it will then pick up from the usual place in the town centre. Cost is £12 each and we look forward to the same support from fans that we had against York. Book your place by contacting the club on 01706 648004 ... Onward Hornets Onward...”

Keighley Away
Keighley's win over Workington (32-14) means that Hornets will now travel to Keighley in the next play-off match.

Weather Forecast for Rochdale