Rochdale took a 2-0 lead in the 10th minute after the Crusaders gave away a penalty for offside in front of the posts.

They increased their lead on 14 minutes, Tommy Goulden laying the ball off to Richard Varkulis who ran through to ground.

They made it 14-0 on 26 minutes, Matt Sturm forcing his way the line.

Crusaders rallied and went close with three efforts, but Rochdale went in 20-0 up at half-time after Andrew Gorski pounced on a grubber kick and McCully kicked the tricky conversion.

The Crusaders' efforts finally paid off in the second minute of the second half.

Following a scrum 10 metres from the line, Michael Ryan slid in for their opening try.

Ryan Benjafield broke through the Crusaders' defence for another Hornets try under the sticks.

Varkulis increased Rochdale's lead on 56 minutes, forcing his way over the line despite the gallant efforts of Phil Cushion and Carle Ellis.

Crusaders weren't finished, Damien Quinn being held up metres from the line and, from the next play, Geraint Davies superbly setting up a try for Tony Duggan.

Hornets: 1. Paul Owen, 2. Mark McCully, 3. Richard Varkulis, 4. Lee Patterson, 5. Chris Giles, 6. Phil Farrell, 7. Matt Firth, 8. Rob Ball, 9. David McConnell, 10. Matt Sturm, 11. Andrew Gorski, 12. Lee Doran, 13. Tommy Goulden.
Subs: 14. Lee Sanderson, 15. Paul Anderson, 16. Craig Robinson, 17. Ryan Benjafield.

Tries: Varkulis (14, 56), Sturm (26), Gorski (36), Benjafield (46)

Goals: McCully 6/6

Crusaders: 1. Tony Duggan, 2. Carl de Chenu, 3. Lenny Woodard, 4. Damien Quinn, 5. Paul Morgan, 6. Luke Young, 7. Jace Van Dijk, 8. Ryan Barton, 9. Michael Ryan, 10. Phil Cushion, 11. Dean Scully, 12. David Simm, 13. Dean Fitzgerald.
Subs: 14. Carle Ellis, 15. Geraint Davies, 16. Lloyd O'Connor, 17. Lee Williams.

Tries: Ryan (42), Duggan (69)

Goals: Quinn 0/2