Sat 7 Oct 2023, 14:30
Clifton v Hornets 7.10.23
Hornets took the very short trip up the M5 to the Home of Clifton at Station Road Bristol in their latest National 2 West league match and a very entertaining high scoring game but just missed out on their first away victory this season but came away with 2 bonus points after a narrow loss having scored 7 tries to Clifton's 6.
In perfect conditions the honour of leading the side out went to Chris Francis on his 100th Cap as the flanker was returning to the team for the first time this season. Chris was followed by the rest of his team including 2 new signings that have come to the Nest this week from the Bath and Bristol Academies in Isaac Campbell-Wu and Daniel Marias, both these boys had great games and showed that they will have a lot to offer this year and Hornets relish in the opportunity to help in the development of these players.
Clifton are a very established team at this level and Hornets knew that they would come at them with everything early on and that is exactly what happened as their large set of forwards were controlling the ball which allowed their backs to run riot and it only took 7 minutes before the hosts secured their first try through Alex Howman and the boot of Luke Cozens added the extras and it was his boot that was going to prove to be the difference.
Clifton were enjoying their runabout in the warm sunshine and on 15 minutes they got their second and the conversion had Hornets behind by 14.
From the restart Clifton knocked the ball on which led to a Hornets scrum and the squeeze from the front row had Clifton under pressure and the home team conceded a penalty and the kick to the corner by Jamie Elswood and Hornets had their first proper attack. The line out was won by debutant Marias, one of many throughout the game and the ball shipped down the line to the impressive other debutant Wu who showed his skill and rounded the defence to get the his and the first try for Hornets. 14-5.
Hornets failed to collect the restart and Clifton sniffed a chance and very efficiently the score came to restore their lead 21-5.
Clifton again were on the attack as their dominance was evident and a very well worked catch and drive lineout and the bonus point try for the hosts and Hornets were looking at a reminder of last season. 28-5.
However, as this season is panning out it is obvious that the coaching team have Hornets in a different place this season and another lineout won by Marias and the ball shipped again at pace and when Charlie Carter spotted a gap the full back went through untouched and Hornets had a well worked try and conversion by Elswood to go into halftime down 28-12 and some hope.
The restart after halftime and Hornets were determined to get the first score as they came out with renewed vigor. Clifton were under enormous pressure as the ref was warning the hosts to keep their tackles lower and Hornets could see an opportunity and the clever grubber kick by Elswood and Ozzy James carefully watched the ball go into the large in goal area and touched down and Hornets had the score.28-19.
A couple of lapses of concentration by Hornets which allowed Clifton a simple try and conversion rather against the flow of the game much to the disappointment of Hornets.
Now Hornets were again on the attack and the chance of at least a bonus point try was in reach and the lineout again worked to perfection and the drive from just inside Clifton’s 22 and Hornets were marching forward and it was Si Elrick who had the ball as the pack surged over the line 35-24.
Now Hornets were in complete control of the game as the home team seemed to be losing their composure and a series of penalties and Hornets were in the same spot for the lineout again and a carbon copy of the last try was followed up as Elrick again was on hand to finish the sequence and Hornets were now within a score.35-29.
The restart and Hornets were on the attack again and the back division were causing a headache for the hosts and were able to get the forwards in a very promising position and it looked like Francis had the score but was adjudged to of knocked the ball on over the line and so a defensive scrum to Clifton. Jon Roberts was lurking as the scrum half tried to ship the ball but remarkably gave the pass to Roberts who gratefully accepted the ball and ran round under the posts to make an easy conversion for Elswood and amazingly Hornets had a 1-point lead. 35-36.
However, a penalty from the restart for holding on and a shot at goal by Cuzons and the outcome was inevitable, and Clifton had regained the lead with just 11 minutes left. 38-36.
Hornets seemed again to be getting on the wrong side of some decisions from the officials and Clifton had a kick to the corner for a lineout on Hornets 5m line and the catch and drive was on. Clifton worked the ball over the line and the referee, after a period of thought decided after allowing the players to peel away that he had seen the ball grounded and awarded the try and Clifton had taken the 2nd bonus point away from Hornets with just 3 minutes to play. 45-36.
The restart and Hornets found themselves deep in their own half and were awarded a penalty, the kick into Clifton’s half and a lineout and again another penalty but this time the ref decided that was too many and yellow carded Will Owen. The resultant penalty and Elswood again put the ball into Clifton’s 22. The lineout again worked to perfection and the ball moved down the line and because of the yellow card there was space for the back division to exploit and perfectly worked the ball to James who scorched over to regain Hornets second bonus point followed shortly by the final whistle. Final Score Clifton 45 Hornets 41.
Hornets again have just missed out on the victory, but it is plain to see that with all the work going on at training it is showing on matchdays. Although disappointed not to get the win, to come away from Clifton with 2 bonus points is a huge step up from last year when Hornets were taken to the cleaners in their heaviest defeat of last season (63-17). Not many teams will come away from Station Road with 2 points as Clifton sit comfortably in 3rd position and Hornets are 10th.
Hornets are back at the Nest next week as Chester come to town in the first ever meeting of these Clubs in the next round of the league.
