In a remarkable game at Spotland a battling performance from injury-hit Whitehaven just came up short.
The Cumbrians had fought back strongly and were beaten 36-32, with a last minute try going unconverted or it could have been even closer.
They had actually led 18-10 at half-time but within seven minutes of the restart the Hornets had scored two converted tries to lead 22-18 and Haven had to chase the game right until the final hooter.
Rochdale had scored after only four minutes when Tom Ashton slid in to get on the end of a kick and Martin Ridyard put over the conversion.
Whitehaven were level on 18 minutes when Josh Blinkhorn went in and Dan Abram added the conversion.
Six minutes later the visitors were ahead when Ellison Holgate made a smart interception to go in for the try and again Abram converted.
Ashton scored his second try on 29 minutes but Ridyard couldn’t convert and Haven held a two-point lead, which became eight when Holgate scored his second on 37 minutes and Abram converted.
In between Jack Kellett should have scored but knocked on when looking certain to go over, or Haven would have enjoyed a healthier half-time lead.
But Rochdale’s try burst at the second half changed the game with Ashton completing his hat-trick, Max Flanagan going over and Lewis Else also touching down. Ridyard converted all three for a 28-18 lead.
Whitehaven were back in it on 61 minutes when skipper Connor Holliday managed to stretch out when tackled near the line and get the ball down for an unconverted try.
On 67 minutes Rochdale scored again through Dan Nixon and Ridyard put over a touchline conversion for a 34-22 lead.
It was Ridyard again on 71 minutes when he took the opportunity to put over a penalty, but then a battling finish from Whitehaven drew them agonisingly close.
Abram scored a try and converted on 75 minutes before right on the hooter Anderson-Moore scored his side’s sixth try but it went unconverted.
