This was a dramatic, seesaw Championship clash at the Crown Oil Arena, ending in a 24–22 win for Whitehaven. their fourth straigh win and futheer strengthening their play off credentials
🔥 Match Narrative
Whitehaven strike early
Whitehaven opened the scoring after just six minutes when Ciaran Walker pounced on a loose ball and converted his own try for 0–6. Moments later, Hornets’ Junior Sa’u was sin‑binned for retaliation, and Haven immediately capitalised:
- Ethan Bickerdike powered over for 0–12 (Walker goal).
Hornets fight back
Rochdale responded strongly:
- Max Flanagan dived over and converted (6–12).
- Confusion in the Haven half gifted Jay Weatherill a try (6–18).
- Lewis Hatton crashed over (12–18).
- Right on half-time, Jamie Dallimore burrowed over to mark his 250th career appearance with a try, making it 16–18.
Second half: momentum swings
Rochdale came out firing:
- Chris Barratt broke through to give Hornets their first lead of the day: 22–18.
- Sa’u almost extended the lead but lost the ball over the line.
Late drama — Haven steal it
With seven minutes left, Jack Kellett forced his way under the posts. Walker’s fourth straight conversion sealed the comeback: 22–24. Whitehaven held on through the final sets to secure their fourth straight win and hand Rochdale a seventh consecutive defeat.
⭐ Gamestar
Brad Brennan (Whitehaven) — relentless carries, constant problems for Rochdale’s middle.
💥 Gamebreaker
Kellett’s late try + Walker’s ice‑cold conversion.
📋 Try Scorers
Rochdale Hornets
- Max Flanagan
- Lewis Hatton
- Jamie Dallimore
- Chris Barratt
Whitehaven
- Ciaran Walker
- Ethan Bickerdike
- Jay Weatherill
- Jack Kellett
🧩 What this result means
Rochdale Hornets
- Seventh straight defeat
- Led 22–18 but couldn’t close it out
- Defensive lapses at key moments
- Next up: Sheffield Eagles
Whitehaven
- Four wins in a row
- Massive confidence boost
- Walker & Kellett forming a decisive late‑game partnership