It wasn't pretty. A particularly picky referee didn't help proceedings but the Scorpions were below-par and a few usually excellent players produced poor displays. It was perhaps a game too far.

Forty or so travelling fans were there to witness a hugely disappointing opening forty minutes from the Scorpions as the promotion dream ground to a halt in Lancashire.

Seibold's men were missing a host of key players; but supporters still had reason to be aggrieved by a very poor defensive display which allowed the Hornets to rack up a host of early tries.

After a spell of early pressure came to nothing, the Scorpions flopped. Wayne English ran over the first try with the superb Paul Cook converting before slotting over a penalty soon afterwards.

Adam Bowman's try followed almost immediately, before Crook converted his own effort on eighteen minutes.

The Scorpions were struggling and things got worse soon afterwards as Joe McLocklan was sin binned. Rochdale took advantage of the extra man with Craig Ashall scoring their fourth try and Crook following up soon afterwards to complete his brace.

The Scorpions finally got on the scoresheet minutes before the interval through the prolific Steve Parry; but the wayward missed conversion summed up our afternoon and there was still time for Dale Bloomfield to score for the hosts and Crook to fire over an awesome long-range conversion. That made it 38-4 at the break.

Rochdale increased their lead to forty straight after the break when John Cookson scored and Crook converted; though Jamie Murphy's try and Aled James' kick at least ensured the Scorps made it to double figures.

Bloomfield and Hayes both charged over for Rochdale as the hosts steamed over the half-century mark - but the travelling side refused to lie down and as the Hornets took their foot off the gas, Jamie Murphy and Lewis Mills found their way over the line to at least secure an air of respectability to the scoreline.

Ashall's converted try took Rochdale to sixty points as they prepare for a trip to Blackpool. However, the Scorpions bagged the final score of the game when captain Aled James - with blood dripping from his eye - ran the entire length of the pitch before firing a conversion attempt against the woodwork.

So, the season ends in disappointment - and, as chairman Phil Davies was quick to admit after the game, there could be no complaints about the result.

However, this has been a fine inaugural season and the players - many of whom had never played competitive rugby league twelve months ago - have performed brilliantly over the course of the season.

The challenge is now to build on this season and make sure people maintain interest in the club and the sport next season.

Big challenges lie ahead and SouthWalesScorpions.com will be going nowhere in the coming months as we enter a hugely exciting period for Welsh rugby league.

Brian Noble's Crusaders have the small matter of the Super League play-offs and, who knows, maybe a Grand Final to look forward to! Later, Gareth Thomas & co will be in international action over the autumn as defending European champions Wales look to seal a place in next year's Four Nations with success.

Onwards and upwards. And well done to Nash the Shark and Phil J who finished first and second respectively in the prediction league and can look forward to the big prizes!

Full Time - Rochdale Hornets 60-26 South Wales Scorpions
Attendance - 375

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