Sat 5 Sep 2026, 15:00
Hornets opened up the new National League 2 West season with a bruising game at the Nest and were just edged out with the last play of the game as Old Reds go away with the close victory.
While the Community game has been suspended for a couple of weeks the National League continues as expected and a good crowd watched a nail biting game which went to the wire.
Prior to the match a full house for lunch welcomed the RFU CEO Bill Sweeney as special guest and he was warmly received and spoke to the other guests made up of sponsors and friends of Hornets.
On the occasion of his 50th Cap Tom Read led the team out and received ample appreciation from the effervescent crowd.
In brilliant hot sunshine the game started at a furious pace and was exactly how you would expect a local derby to play out.
After 8 minutes Jack Weston from Old Reds was binned and straight away prop Alex Hawkins was on hand to secure the first try of the season and Hornets had opened up a lead.
Old Reds hit back shortly afterwards with a well worked try to level the scores 5-5.
Both sides were showing the intensity and sometimes the lack of game time was evident as uncharacteristic mistakes. Eventually Old Reds got another quickly followed by a try by Josh Sheppard and the break had a score of 12-10.
The second half continued in the same vein and when Adam Francis and Old Red's Oliver Stratton were sent to the bin to cool off the game opened up.
Alas, on 57 minutes Evan Russell was also binned and Hornets were creaking and that was exploited by Old Reds as they scored another try to go in front 12-17.
For the next 10 minutes the heat was getting to the players and numerous stoppages for cramp and this allowed both teams to use the bench.
One of those replacements was Ash Lockwood and his fresh legs got him over the line and Hornets had drawn level 17-17.
This was quickly followed up by Evan Russell and the conversion with only a few minutes left to play and the lead restored 24-17.
In the last 4 minutes Hornets had 2 players sent to the bin and were under the cosh and Old Reds capitalised and scored to go 2 points behind before well into injury time and the last play went over in the corner to snatch the win at the death. Final Score Hornet 24 Old Reds 27.
A disappointing start to another hard season at level four for Hornets but 2 points bagged they will bounce back next week with the trip to Exeter University.
