ROCHDALE HORNETS 22 LANCASHIRE LYNX 27 LANCASHIRE Lynx recorded their first away victory of the season when they defeated Rochdale Hornets at Spotland.

Lynx were 18 points to the good after 20 minutes, but they allowed the home side back in the game and they only sealed the game with a try from Neil Parsley nine minutes from time.

The Lynx coach Steve Hampson was happy with the victory, but he was disappointed with the overall performance. "The team played some excellent rugby to go 18 points ahead but then they started to throw the ball around like a hot potato and coupled with individual mistakes let Rochdale back in the game."

On the injury front he added: "Steve Gee will be missing for at least two games after sustaining a knee injury and Neil Flanagan has gone to hospital for an x-ray on an injured shoulder which is likely to sideline him for a number of games." Lynx dominated all the early play and three tries between the 10th and 19th minutes from Darren Abram, Phil Jones and Ian Gildart all converted by Phil Jones put them in a commanding position.

Rochdale came back with tries from Mick Coult and Chris Hilton both converted by Deryck Fox but Lynx managed to hang on to go in with an 18-12 advantage.

As in the first half Lynx were totally dominant at the start of the second half, but this time all they had to show was a drop goal from Phil Jones. Again Lynx's defence was found wanting and two tries in the 58th and 63rd minutes from Peter Fitzgerald and Steve Cameron with Deryck Fox adding a conversion gave Rochdale the lead. To their credit Lynx continued to take the game to Rochdale and they were finally rewarded nine minutes from time with a try from Neil Parsley after Kyle White and Dave Murray had carved open the Rochdale defence. Phil Jones added the conversion and he sealed Lynx's victory with a penalty four minutes from time. Man of the match was Tommy Hodgkinson.

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