Wath Brow Hornets progress to National Conference League’s elimination semi-final

It means they will travel to Thatto Heath tomorrow for the right to play league winners Siddal in the Grand Final.

Siddal were 36-22 winners against Thatto Heath in Saturday’s qualification semi-final.

League runners-up Thatto Heath lost 22-8 at Wath Brow but, earlier in the season on their own pitch, were emphatic 48-4 winners against the Cumbrians.

But Hornets, depending on the strength of the side they take tomorrow, will surely feel buoyant after Tuesday’s win over Rochdale Mayfield.

In six games against west Cumbrian opposition this season, Mayfield had been unbeaten, dropping only one point in an 18-18 draw at the Brow.

The game had been postponed on Saturday and Whitehaven’s Recreation Ground had been put on stand-by in case the Hornets’ home pitch hadn’t recovered.

But it was ready for Tuesday’s renewal, although there might have been a feeling the game was jinxed.

Half-an-hour before the scheduled kick-off, there was a power cut on the Brow, but fortunately the rugby pitch floodlights are powered by a generator.

As a result, the game went ahead in front of a very large crowd who were treated to an outstanding game of rugby league.

Both sides were clearly-up for the game and, although rain started to fall just as they kicked-off, it did not detract from the spectacle.

Although slippery underfoot, the two sets of forwards went at it hammer and tongs.

Big hits were coming in from both sides with Connor Molyneux and Lewis McCarron leading the Hornets charge.

Meeting them full on for Rochdale were usually Aidy Gleeson and Tom Hall.

After the initial test of strength, the game settled down and it was Rochdale who were first to score.

Jack Samson went over for a try on 11 minutes from a lovely pass by skipper Paul Brearley. Zak Baker added the conversion.

It looked to be going well for the visitors as they continued to put Wath Brow under pressure but a silly professional foul by Paul Fowden saw him get 10 minutes in the bin.

It seemed not to matter for when Wath Brow gave away a silly penalty Baker put over the kick for an 8-0 lead.

This had the desired effect on the Hornets and some good carries by the forwards had them camped on the Mayfield line.

Eventually on 19 minutes, Cole Walker-Taylor dived over from acting half-back and he added the conversion.

A silly penalty in front of the sticks was accepted by Walker-Taylor to put the sides level just as Rochdale were back-up to strength again.

The introduction of James Dixon saw the Wath Brow pack given even more drive and, on 31 minutes, they grabbed the lead for the first time.

Following one of his charges at the Mayfield line, his brother Karl Dixon scrambled over for the try which Walker-Taylor converted.

Clearly coach Matt Calland wasn’t happy with what he had seen and he sent-out his players early for the second half, so they were standing on the drizzle waiting for their hosts to re-appear.

Whatever was said it had an impact for, within four minutes, Fowden had gone over in the corner to reduce the deficit to 14-12.

The next ten minutes, however, were to prove crucial as Mayfield seemed to lose their discipline and conceded a series of penalties.

Walker-Taylor put over three of them and Wath Brow suddenly had an eight point advantage.

But it was back down to two points on 66 minutes when Mayfield went in for a try from Matty Ashton which Baker converted.

The last ten minutes were a test of nerve and fitness for both teams, as they desperately tried to cut-out the mistakes.

It was Wath Brow who scored the crucial final try on 71 minutes when speedster Greg Howland tore down the touchline and found just enough space to squeeze in at the corner.

Rochdale tried manfully to get back into it but Brow held on for a notable success.