Sat 16 Sep 2023, 14:30
Hornets v Newport(Salop) 16.9.23
Hornets welcomed Newport (Salop) from Shropshire to the Nest in the latest National League 2 West match on a breezy chilly day, but the crowd were entertained with 11 tries and 9 of them were from the home team as Hornets proceeded to register their best ever result at this level.
The talk this week was, could this team bounce back after the experience and defeat last week after a very strong Exeter University had a fun time in the sunshine and this Saturday proved that it was just a little set back as Hornets maintained their form from the first game and ran out emphatic winners and scoring more than 50 points for the first time.
The team was led out by 3 players all reaching a milestone for their Club, firstly Danny Bailey winning his 150th Cap followed by Ozzy James with his 100th Cap and followed up by Hayden Tuttiett winning his 50th Cap, these boys have been instrumental in all the recent success of this team, and we congratulate and thank them all.
It didn’t take Hornets long to get on the scoresheet as a penalty kick to the corner was excellently controlled by the pack and Hayden Tuttiett celebrated his day with the first try and Jamie Elswood converted.7-0.
Newport proved last season they are a team not to give up too easily as they attacked at pace and with vigor and managed to stun the home team by scoring 2 quick tries to go in front 7-12 after 20 minutes, however that was going to prove to be their last hurrah.
Hornets now were beginning to control the tackle area and a number of turnovers and counter-rucks allowed the pack to dictate the play, especially from Sam Taylor. Charlie Carter as ever was on hand to go over following a flowing move converted by Elswood before, just on halftime after a number of penalties on their own line Newport allowed Hornets some tap penalty practice, this was taken by the rejuvenated Jake Caulfield and then followed up by the very impressive Si Elrick to barrel over and Elswood converted, and Hornets had opened up a nice lead at halftime 21-12.
Hornets started the second half as they finished the first and the visitors were under enormous pressure and after a warning for persistent penalties on their own line the ref decided they had conceded too many and sent a player to the bin. The resulting penalty and Kieran Ward tapped, and Courtney Harris went over.
Next came the try of the day as from deep near his own line Carter went on his typical run and after he made inroads the ball was shipped to Harris on the hoof, and he had the pace to get over the line in the corner.
This was quickly followed up when a swooping backs move put Carter in space and a handoff and the full back scored a very well executed try.
Now with 15 minutes to go Hornets set about asserting their dominance and Newport again were having players sent to the bin and the excellent Ozzy James bagged a well taken try before the evergreen Alec Chase pirouetted twice to the line under the posts and the conversion by Elswood and the half century was achieved.
Again, and with only seconds left on the clock a 5 metre scrum was well controlled by the front row and Ayden Chenoweth dribbled the ball along with his pack to the line and the no.8 just had to ground the ball and that was that. Final score Hornets 55 Newport (Salop) 12.
This was a pleasing result for Hornets as they have now registered 2 wins from 3 games which compared to last season it took 4 games to get the first ‘W’.
Hornets sit 5th in the League currently which is their highest ever position, and although it is still early in the season there is a lot to look forward to.
Hornets 2nd XV after last week's narrow loss at Chew with a very young unexperienced team set about beating an established Wells 1st XV with some great rugby both in attack and defence and went on to win by 39 points to 17 and sit in third spot in the league. Some outstanding performances and controlled rugby was played in a very exciting game.
Hornets 3rd XV travelled to play Cheddar 1st XV and another superb performance picking up another 5-points bonus point win and sit top of the league after 3 from 3. Final score Cheddar 1st XV 15 Hornets 3rd XV 36.
Hornets 4th XV travelled to play Wells 2nd XV and came away with another improved performance and narrow loss and it will not be long before the first win is registered to see the smiles on their faces after every game it is without doubt the correct decision to include this team into the league. Final score Wells 2nd XV 40 Hornets 4th XV 26.
