Sat 21 Mar 2026, 15:00
Hornets Win In Emphatic Style.
Hornets welcomed bottom placed Syston to the Nest keen to reverse the away fixture where the league strugglers managed a superb win against the Hutton Moor side but Hornets in warm, dry conditions and at Home turned on the style to record another 5 point home win beating Syston by 8 tries to 3.
Hornets started well and showed intent as were running with ball in hand at pace and after only 4 minutes were on the scoresheet when the ball secured by the forwards was sent down the back line and Charlie Carter made an incisive break to leave himself and Corey Baker facing just the full back and the perfect pass by Carter and Baker opened the scoring converted by Jack Gapper.7-0
A penalty kick put Hornets on Syston's goal line and a perfect lineout by Arthur Davis and the hooker was on hand to be guided to the line by his pack and another superb kick by Gapper and the lead extended.14-0.
Not letting up and enjoying the sunshine Hornets again attacked and great interplay by forwards and backs and Carter again made the break this time with Josh Sheppard by his side and the prolific scorer was over for his 20th of the season again converted by Gapper. 21-0.
Syston, to their credit albeit a bit shellshocked by the onslaught managed to ebb their way down field and when awarded a penalty in front of the posts their first score by Fin Nockles.21-3.
However, this rejuvenated Hornets as they went looking for the bonus point try which came after 31 minutes as another perfect lineout drill and Arthur Davis in a carbon copy of his first got another and again Gapper on target and at least 1 point to show for their efforts 28-3.
Syston showed that although they are at the bottom of the table they can play some very good attacking rugby themselves with a few students on board and they managed to get 2 tries before the halftime whistle and reminded Hornets that the game was not yet won .H.T 28-15.
The second half and Syston came out all guns blazing and only solid defence by the hosts held them out but alas Tommy Bailey was eventually sent to the bin for a team yellow but this reset the home side and set about getting another.
The ball was shipped from Kieron Tasker playing well at scrum half to skipper Connor Vickery on the halfway line and the illusive, strong running centre made a midfield break and then sauntered round the full back to score with only 14 on the pitch Gapper did the rest and Hornets had an unassailable lead and 30 minutes left .35-15.
Both teams took the chance to empty the bench and the arm wrestle continued as both sides canceled each other out with solid defence until after 65 minutes Syston surged for a well earned score and conversion to give them a chance at least a try bonus point.35-22.
Following a lineout on halfway, Hornets showed great skill and the ball shipped to Gapper who spotted a hole and sailed through with James Murray in his pocket and the replacement scrum half eased over and again Gapper was on target 42-22.
Another lineout on halfway won by the impressive Sonny Davis and the ball set up for Murray who gave the ball to Sheppard and his perfect kick set up a chase for Murray and young Louis Millman to race to touch it down and the young player let the old hand get their first as Murray got his second.47-22.
Now Syston were tiring and Hornets show that their fitness is very good and they don't give up and it was with just 2 minutes left on the clock when Syston had a lineout deep in Hornets 22, the ball was overthrown and the impressive replacement hooker Jed Soper collected it and set off beating 2 would be defenders before offloading to a rampant Carter at full tilt and his wheels were well oiled as the full back left everyone standing as he raced to and under the posts making for an easy conversion for himself.
The restart was dealt with and the ref blew for full time. Final Score Hornets 54 Syston 22.
The penultimate home game of the season for Hornets and they moved closer to Taunton in the league as Taunton after all the furore of their win at Camborne took their eye off the ball and lost at home to Lymm. Hornets sit comfortably in 5th place but alas for Syston have now been relegated back to the regional leagues and will be replaced by Bournville next season and Hornets will look forward to the trip to Bournville and to meet some old friends and some chocolate.
Match photos, courtesy of Mike Tew, HERE
