Cornwall RLFC head coach Mike Abbott has unveiled his 21-man squad for Sunday’s crucial Betfred League 1 round 12 fixture against the Rochdale Hornets at the Memorial Ground.
Cornwall Riding High After Newcastle Triumph
The Choughs enter this home encounter on a high, following a commanding 30-6 victory over Newcastle Thunder in their last match. With renewed vigour, they are keen to extend their winning streak and strengthen their position in the league.
Rochdale’s Narrow Escape
Rochdale Hornets also faced Newcastle Thunder recently, securing a nail-biting 24-18 win at the rain-drenched Gateshead International Stadium. The Hornets will be looking to build on this narrow victory as they travel to the Duchy.
Near Full Squad for Cornwall
Coach Mike Abbott has the luxury of an almost full-strength squad after the league-wide break for the Betfred Challenge Cup and AB Sundecks 1895 Cup finals at Wembley Stadium. However, Tom Ashton will miss out on facing his former club due to an ankle injury. On a positive note, Maltese international Kaine Dimech is back in the squad after a month-long absence.
New and Returning Faces
New signing Tomo Clark, a Samoan powerhouse, is pushing for inclusion in the matchday squad. Meanwhile, AJ Boardman has returned to his parent club, Rochdale, and could potentially play against the Choughs.
Milestone Appearances
The match could be particularly special for Matt Ross and David Weetman. If selected, both players will make their 50th competitive appearance in the British rugby league structure, marking a significant milestone in their careers.
Coach Abbott’s Perspective
Reflecting on the recent break, Mike Abbott shared mixed feelings: “The break for the Challenge Cup was something that I was glad of, but then in some other respects, I wasn’t. We had played almost non-stop for two months so a week off helped some of our players who were carrying knocks and niggles. But on the other hand, we built some real momentum against Newcastle, especially in the second half, so it would have been nice to continue that.”
Abbott remains cautious yet focused: “Apart from Tommy, almost everyone else is fit and ready to go. We gave Rochdale a really good game up at their place, but then the red card came and they took control. They have had an extra week off and have got a few lads in to boost their numbers so we know it will be tough, but we will just worry about ourselves.”
Cornwall RLFC Squad
The Cornwall squad for Sunday’s game includes: Aaronson, C Abbott, Black, Boots, Brown, Campbell, Clark, Collins, Conroy, Cullen, Dimech, Lloyd, Mitchell, Nichol, Rhodes, Ross, Simpson, Small, Rusling, Trerise, and Weetman.
Stay tuned for what promises to be an exhilarating clash at the Memorial Ground as Cornwall RLFC take on Rochdale Hornets in a battle that could shape the remainder of their season.
