By Steven Oldham Cover photo: JMSportPix Rochdale Hornets vs Keighley Cougars
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Huge win for Rochdale Hornets
Rochdale Hornets started the RFL League One season with a bang by dismantling Keighley Cougars 44-0 at The Crown Oil Arena.
Luke Forber’s hat-trick – including the opening try – set the tone for a good afternoon in front of an opening day crowd of 927.
Gary Thornton’s side found themselves 16-0 up at the break thanks to Forber’s first two, either side of Myles Harrop’s 19th minute try. Max Flanagan weighed in with three goals in each half to match Forbes as the game’s top points scorer.
READ MORE: NWC: Bury regain P1 with away win
The Hornets really stepped it up after the break to crush the side that pipped them to both second place in the standings and the play-off semi finals last term. Jordan Andrade scored on 51 minues, five minutes before Forber completed his hat-trick.
Gregg McNally got in on the act on the hour mark, with Deane Meadows and captain Duane Straugheir rounding out a hugely impressive eight-try result for their side.
🗣️ "We scored some fantastic tries, and to keep Keighley to zero on the opening day of the season is a fantastic achievement." 🙌
— Rochdale Hornets (@RochdaleHornets) February 24, 2025
The boss' reaction to our Round 1 triumph ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/VxdBVRWnQC
Swinton Lions off to winning start
Swinton Lions won a close battle of two sides relegated from The Championship, scoring three tries while beating Whitehaven 16-10 at Heywood Road.
Jordan Paga got the Lions off to a strong start with the weekend’s fastest try after just four minutes, with Dan Abram netting two points for the conversion. Ethan Bickerdike brought his side back into it on the quarter hour, but Kieran Tyrer couldn’t add the conversion.
📺 TRY HIGHLIGHTS: Take a look back at all the action as #lions kicked off their 2025 Betfred League One campaign with victory over Whitehaven RLFC.#OneClubOneVision pic.twitter.com/AJrnUjnK3b
— Swinton Lions RLFC (@Swinton_Lions) February 24, 2025
The Lions added six more points before the break; Harry Higham scored his first league try for his new club on 28 minutes, with Abram once again on hand to convert.
Whitehaven battled back and reduced the deficit to two points after the break – with Aaron Turnbull grabbing a try and Tyrer converting to put the pressure back on the home side.
Both sides had near misses before Higham’s second try secured the win two minutes from time, with Abram’s missed conversion not affecting the outcome of the game.
RFL League One results
Elsewhere in the league, Midlands Hurricanes spoilt the party for new boys Goole Vikings, emerging as 16-14 winners in the latter’s first game at this level. North Wales Crusaders condemned relegated Dewsbury Rams to a 20-10 home defeat in their first match back in the third tier.
Workington Town‘s game with Cornwall postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
Calling the game off 48 hours before kick off was necessary but gutting.
— Workington Town (@WorkingtonTown) February 23, 2025
This was the pitch 10 minutes before scheduled kick off today. Wind and rain is currently intensifying. #flipflopdown pic.twitter.com/dEISTeY9zI
Upcoming fixtures
The 1895 Cup takes centre stage this weekend.
Rochdale Hornets travel to reigning League One champions Oldham for a local derby on Sunday, with Swinton, Whitehaven and Workington all eliminated in the preliminary rounds.
The next set of league fixtures on March 9 see Swinton away at Newcastle Thunder, who will be hoping for a better season after losing all 20 games last season.
Workington Town are on the road to Midlands Hurricanes, while Whitehaven host Keighley.
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