Sat 29 Oct 2022
Hornets 2nd XV took the short trip to high flying Taunton 2nds. A team filled with a mix of youth and experience who treated the crowd to a great display of attacking rugby and staunch defence.
Taunton had the best of the day scrum wise with the Hornets pack under the pump at every scrum, the outstanding Dexter Nettleton having a torid day at No 8. but somehow managing to secure the ball time and time again ,despite moving backwards at a rate of knots!
Lineout functioned well with Mikey Brookes bringing his favourite darts!
Ross Cheeseborough rolled back the years, and the pounds, to put in a great performance in the boiler room too.
Taunton scored within the first 5 mins and that galvanised the Hornets team who then went on the lead following a converted try under the posts from young Fin Davis who obviously proving a point galloped through the Taunton defence swatting them off. The 9 - 10 partnership of Tuttiett and Humphris respectfully had the forwards in no doubt as to where they needed to be and what they needed to do, and delivered sweet ball to the outside backs.
Hornets extended their lead and Taunton were certainly rattled but rallied well to bring the score back to 24-24 following 2 cross field kicks from their 10 to the winger, a well scripted move that to be fair was class (both times!).
With roughly 5 mins left to play Taunton conceded a penalty 1m into their half and to the surprise of both sets of supporters Hornets opted for the kick at posts. Jordan Humprhris stepping forward and slotting a monster of a kick 24-27
Hornets however went on to narrowly miss out on the victory by a score in the final play of the game after giving away 3 scrum penalties in a row, decisions viewed with some confusion by a number of supporters on both sides. The home side scored under the posts with a strong carry from their abrasive replacement 8 and the conversion was duly slotted, final whistle.
Hornets came away with 2 bonus points scoring 4 tries to keep them in the hunt.
