Sat 12 Apr 2025, 15:00
On a bright and sunny day, the Hornets welcomed Macclesfield to their home ground for what would be an exhilarating final home game of the season. In the warm weather, the spectators were treated to a match that although maybe lacked a bit of quality was exciting to the end.
The game kicked off with the Hornets making a strong start, as centre Huw Morgan dashed over the line for the first try of the day, setting the tone for an intense encounter. Macclesfield quickly responded, keeping the pressure on with a penalty scored by Charlie Attis. The Hornets extended their lead shortly after when tighthead prop Tom Read powered through from close range for another try, successfully converted by Charlie Carter.
Macclesfield, undeterred by the set-back, rallied and a try from winger Tom Jennings, followed by another score from his opposite wing, Jamie Harrison, which brought them level. Attis, adding the conversion to put Macclesfield in the lead for the first time. Just before halftime, however, the Hornets regained the advantage thanks to a try from Corey Baker, also converted by Carter, ensuring a tight scoreline of 19-15 as teams went into the break.
As the second half commenced, the Hornets looked to assert themselves with another try from Baker, again converted by Carter, pushing their lead to 26-15. But Macclesfield weren’t done yet; Jennings crossed the line for an unconverted try, before Carter added a penalty, stretching the Hornets' lead to 29-20.
The match took a dramatic turn as Macclesfield surged back with a series of tries from Theo Hulbert, followed by Jennings who completed his hat trick, and another from Harrison, leaving the score at 29-35 in favour of Macclesfield. Crucially all three tries went unconverted.
As the clock wound down to the final minute, the Hornets mounted a miraculous comeback. Kieran Ward delivered a decisive drive for a try, converted by Carter, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. The final whistle blew, marking an astonishing scoreline of 36-35 in favor of the Hornets.
