MMorgan

Published at 01:00, Thursday, 21 September 2006

By Martin Morgan

HAVEN produced a first-half masterclass that had fans believing that a third consecutive NL1 Grand Final appearance might be a real possibility.

And when news filtered through that Leigh had been knocked out of the play-offs by Batley, handing Haven another home tie this weekend against the Bulldogs, those hopes soared even higher.

“We blew Rochdale away in the first-half,” coach Dave Rotheram said. “Our defence was brutal all through the game.”

Haven’s team had a very different look to that which lost five out of seven mid-season games, with second-rows Mark Leafa and Spencer Miller, hooker Aaron Smith, centre Rob Jackson and prop David Fatialofa all in outstanding form.

Haven made their intentions plain on Rochdale’s first set of the match when the Hornets’ clearing kick was charged down.

Chris Giles appeared to have the ball covered but when he fumbled under pressure Smith was on hand to take advantage.

He was held just short but a posse of team-mates bundled him over the try-line and after what seemed like an age he finally forced down the ball.

Steve Trindall and Fatialofa then forced an error in the tackle 30 metres from the Rochdale line and Miller charged on to Smith’s dummy-half pass in an unstoppable run to the line, Carl Rudd converting.

On their next set Haven crossed again. Two flat passes stretched the Hornets’ defence and David Seeds then put the speedy Craig Calvert in the clear, the winger sprinting down the touchline from 40 metres out.

The visitors had barely touched the ball, and Haven scored again on their next set.

Trindall and Leafa swapped passes in midfield before Gary Broadbent cut loose down the middle.

John Duffy was on hand to take the final pass, and Rudd’s conversion put the rampant hosts 20-0 up.

Rochdale were under almost constant pressure and they cracked again when Duffy’s short-range attacking kick was fumbled and Seeds was on hand to touch down, with Rudd again goaling.

Another wonderful sweeping move downfield from their own half deserved a try, sparked by Duffy’s unorthodox but effective over-the-shoulder pass.

Calvert managed to cross the Hornets whitewash only to be pulled back for a forward pass.

There was no respite for the visitors when Aaron Smith made way for Graeme Mattinson, whose stepping ability soon had the already overwhelmed Hornets in yet more trouble.

His knack of jinking through defences from dummy-half was quickly on show, and he was held inches short after cutting loose and beating two defenders.

With Haven’s defence snuffing out all danger, it seemed that Rochdale’s only chance of scoring would came from a long-range break-away.

That chance came in the closing minutes of the half, winger Lee Patterson showing good pace in a sprint down the left touchline.

The visitors tried to turn the screw in the opening minutes of the second-half, with Steve Maden forced to run one dangerous ball over his dead ball line.

Yet it was Haven who scored first, with Rob Jackson notching the opening try of a hat-trick.

The centre’s first came from short-range, while he showed a decent turn of pace for his second, his injection of speed catching Hornets off guard.

However Haven paid the price for allowing the re-start kick to bounce as it rolled in to touch and Rochdale regained possession.

Patterson cut inside to score, Kevin King converting.

Sub Aaron Lester, back from injury, fed Jackson for his third try. He skilfully kicked through and Jackson bravely dived through a melee of players to get his hand to the ball first.

Having already defied the odds at Leigh, Haven know they cannot take Batley for granted, but at their home fortress on Sunday they will surely fancy their chances of moving to within 80 minutes of yet another final appearance.

Haven: Broadbent, Calvert, Seeds, R Jackson, Maden, Joe, Duffy, Trindall, A Smith, Fatialofa, Miller, Leafa, Rudd. Subs: Mattinson, M Jackson, Hill, Lester

Tries: A Smith, Miller, Calvert, Duffy, Seeds, R Jackson 3

Goals: Rudd 3

Hornets: Giles, Gordon, Varkulis, King, Patterson, Hasty, Firth, Ball, McConnell, Benjafield, Anderson, Sturm, Doran. Subs: Ross, Bailey, Robinson, Norman

Tries: Patterson 2

Goals: King

Referee: Julian King (St Helens)

Attendance: 1,461

Star Man: Rob Jackson

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk