Sat 22 Nov 2025, 14:00
Syston v Hornets 22.11.25
Hornets travelled deep into the Midlands to take on Syston for their first ever visit and in dreadful conditions struggled to break down a very good side that defies their league position and the hosts picked up they're first ever win at this level.
Hornets know how exactly how hard that is to achieve at this level as were in a similar position 4 seasons ago on their first National League win and this will boost Syston in their effort to maintain their status.
Hornets were fully aware this was going to be a very hard afternoon as any away game is, and Syston have showed in past games they are very capable of scoring tries and get into a match winning position only to let that slip in the last quarter but to their credit on this occasion they held on for the win very deservedly in a real ding-dong game in which the lead changed hands 6 times.
In very dull light Hornets started brightly and defied their normal game plan and were executing the pick and drive excellently and on 5 minutes through the outstanding Corey Baker got the first of the afternoon converted by Jack Gapper 0-7.
Syston went through a series of attacks but were thwarted by solid Hornets defence as both sides were exchanging some brutal tackling in a real tussle but eventually they got the deserved try and level the scores.
The restart just dropped short of the 10 metres and so an attacking scrum for the hosts on halfway and they very efficiently worked their way up field to score an unconverted try.12-7.
The next 15 minutes and similar plays continued in a pulsating highly entertaining game and it was after 33 minute that typically Baker found himself in space and go over converted by Gapper.12-14.
Frustratingly for Hornets they allowed their hosts to score right on halftime and take away the advantage with another well deserved try and conversion to go into the break up 19-14.
The second half didn't start well for Hornets and Syston kicked a penalty goal to extend their advantage 22-14.
Hornets again through their pack were controlling the tight ball very well and after a long series of pick and drives again this time it was Callum Lane with the try and Gapper put Hornets to within a point 22-21.
Hornets now were starting to dictate and the earlier mistakes were stopped and they were controlling the game and came within a whisker of scoring but for sound defence again but eventually Baker got his hattrick and Gapper put Hornets back in front 22-28.
Frustratingly for Hornets they again allowed Syston to score almost from the restart and they then took the lead with 20 exciting minutes left on the clock.29-28.
Hornets tried and tried but were undone by sound defence and almost got a score but the ball was adjudged to of been knocked over the line before the grounding by winger Tom Froggatt.
Both sides were feeling the tension and right on full time a suspect try was awarded to the hosts by the touch judge and the conversion would of denied Hornets the losing bonus point but luckily for the visitors the kick sailed wide and full time. Final Score Syston 34 Hornets 28.
Another hard game on the road and a very valuable 2 points on the road which is Hornets best success so far this season and sitting in 6th place in a very tight mid table battle and with just 2 games left of the first half of the season before all the return games which start just before Christmas.
No game next week but Hornets look forward to a mouthwatering game at the Nest on the 6th December with Old Reds kick off 3pm.
