Sat 7 Sep 2024, 14:00
Hornets v Redruth 7.9.24
Hornets welcomed Redruth to the Nest for the first game of the season and narrowly missed out on victory with a last gasp penalty by the visitors.
This was the first game in Hornets 3rd season in the National League and again it showed that when you get a chance to score you must take it but alas Hornets had a few attempts of securing the win but failed to get over the line at the crucial times.
As you would expect the game started at a pace and Hornets had good possession but failed to breech the Redruth defence. Then it was Hornets turn to defend which was solid and eventually they broke out and when the forwards had worked the ball deep into Redruth’s 22 a simple miss pass found Connor Vickery in acres of space to go over for the first try converted by Jamie Elswood.7-0.
Redruth. through their huge set of forwards were a handful all day and when Hornets looked like a score with a 5m lineout the visitors stole the ball and worked up field and after some good interplay scored a well worked try rather against the run of play.7-5
Hornets were looking good with ball in hand and their efforts were rewarded with a penalty in front of goal and Elswood converted to stretch the lead.10-5
Redruth again with strong rugby attacked and some indiscipline allowed the visitors to score a seemingly simple try and conversion to take the lead 10-12.
Next in the ding-dong game it was the young Owen Griffith on his debut who finished off a simple hands move by the backs to glide over in the corner and the conversion by Elswood had Hornets open up the lead again and 3 minutes to the break.17-12.
However, when in control of the ball Redruth showed great skill and were awarded a try right on halftime and the conversion put them in front at the break.17-19.
The second half couldn’t have started better for Hornets who from his own half Josh Sheppard collected the ball and set off beating the defence on a maizy run to go over under the post for the easy conversion for Elswood 24-19.
Again, the game swung back the other way as Redruth got another try and conversion to take the lead with 20 to go,24-26.
Both benches emptied to bring some fresh legs onto the pitch and the arm wrestle continued and both sides were standing firm and eventually after 76 minutes Elswood kicked a penalty to put Hornets back in front 27-26.
Hornets knew they just had to keep the visitors out and the victory would be theirs but were guilty of conceding 2 late penalty kicks, the first shot at goal sailed wide and Hornets with the last play had to just not make any mistakes but unfortunately the referee decided an offside and Redruth had one more kick at goal but this time was successful and so with the last kick of the game snatched the win away from Hornets. Final score Hornets 27 Redruth 29.
This was bitterly disappointing for the young side but in the process had shown that some new faces both young and experienced will bolster the strength of the squad and assist in the efforts as the campaign continues. Some positives were that Hornets made a few chances which could have won them the game but were unable to take them.
Next up the very mouthwatering visit to Taunton as the side that were relegated from Nat 1 host Hornets in the second round of the League.
