Hornets RFC

Hornets took the long trip up the M5 to Hinckley in Leicestershire for their latest National 2 West league fixture and came away with a well-earned bonus point but just dropped short of the victory. 

Hinckley call themselves the ‘Hornets’ which for obvious reasons made it difficult to spot which supporter was supporting which team in cries of support. 

Hinckley kicked off in bright sunshine and instantly had the visitors on the back foot as their large pack, which only the week before had completely dominated against Exeter Uni tried to get a stranglehold on the game and that meant early defensive plays by Hornets but eventually succumbed to the pressure as Hinckley got the first try of the afternoon. 5-0. 

Hornets from the restart gained possession and set about attacking with vigor and were camped on Hinckley’s line. 

Hornets got over the line but were held up and so were receiving the ball from a goaline dropout and Carter attacked and a penalty had Hornets on the home side’s 5m line but an infringement and Hinckley could clear with a penalty which to the surprise of everyone the fly half kicked it dead in goal at Hornets end and so a scrum 5 to Hornets and an attempt to attack . Hornets sensed their chance and a few phases later Dec Dorrington spotted the line and dived over and Carter’s conversion had the visitors in front.5-7. 

Hinckley sit in fourth spot in the league and are a very well organised team and reacted straight away and were able to assert an enormous amount of pressure on Hornets but couldn’t break through but did manage the score and conversion to open up a lead. 

The first half was coming to a close and Hornets were happy to go in just one score down but credit to Hinckley they had a last gasp effort and got the score and the conversion and the home supporters were happy with the 12-point lead at halftime.19-7. 

Hornets seem to have a better half after the break this season and again this was the case as they instantly piled on the pressure and when Connor Vickery went over in the corner and Carter’s conversion the home supporters started to twitch a bit.19-12. 

Hornets now sensed a victory and set about some outstanding attacking rugby. Kieran Ward’s boot was accurate as the hooker spotted the full back out of position and kicked a 50-22 and Hornets lineout inside Hinckley’s 22. The lineout set up quality-controlled maul and the excellent flank forward Oscar Browne was able to dot the ball over the line and Carter again did the honours and the scores were level and it went very quiet as the 9 Hornets supporters were the only ones cheering. 19-19. 

Alas as previous games Hornets seem to switch off for the restart and this happened again and Hinckley benefitted and got the decisive try to go in front with 15 to go.24-19. 

Hornets now were on the back foot and an infringement by Reuben Brown found the prop on the naughty step and Hornets were down to 14 men for ten minutes and Hinckley sensed more scores but Hornets closed ranks and their excellent defence hung on and kept the hosts out and with 2 minutes left and Brown back on the pitch Hornets set about getting the victory and were deep inside Hinckleys 22 and a penalty in front of the posts and the scrum option was taken and the chance to get the score right at the death.  Alas, Hinckley managed to keep the effervescent Hornets out and the final whistle ended Hornets chances of their first away victory. Final score Hinckley 24 Hornets 19. 

Hornets came away bitterly disappointed with not quite getting the victory but were buoyed by their massive upturn in performance and on another day might have clinched it but they returned home with the bonus point to at least keep the points going up and Hornets look forward to next week when Newport (Salop) visit the Nest.