Rochdale Hornets 50 Bears 22 - Betfred League 1, Round 18

Picture: Jackie Meredith

The curtain came down on the Bears 2021 season, a season marred by Covid and associated restrictions and uncertainties.

They did not end on a high note as Rochdale gained revenge for Bears’ victory over them at the Butts Park Arena, yet still this is the best season ever for the Bears as they finished in ‘the pack’ in the middle of the table rather than amongst stragglers who can only beat each other.

Rochdale started briskly, as Ben Calland scored twice in the first twelve minutes. Missed conversions limited the damage to 8-0, before Gavin Bennion scored two tries in succession for the home side, both of which were converted by Jordan Syme.

The Bears then replied, courtesy of Jordan Bull who crossed over the line from short distance, with his try ably converted by Dan Coates.

Rochdale’s Rugby League legend Fui Fui Moi Moi scored the next try and then Sean Penkywicz, the Hornets captain, scored thefinal try of the half, with the conversions giving a commanding 30-6 lead.

There was to be no coming back from such a margin, but the second half was more evenly matched, with tries being scored alternating between the two teams.

Shaun Robinson scored fifteen minutes into the half, followed by a reply from Dan Coates for the Bears

The Hornets then bagged three tries, two from Dan Nixon and one from Tom Ashton.

Coventry’s Chris Cullimore scored the final try of the afternoon, and of the Bears’ season as he powered over the line with Coates adding two more points.

And so it ended, a season of a few lows, but of some memorable victories against the likes of Rochdale, Keighley and Hunslet, with over 300 years of history between them against the Bears six short years in the Semi pro game.