Hornets RFC

Hornets travelled to Luctonians in their latest National 2 West league match and unfortunately were unable to come away with any points as their quest was disrupted due to Kieran Ward receiving a red card for violent conduct in the first half and so were always up against it. 

Having paused for a moment of reflection prior to kick off to remember the fallen, Hornets started really well and had Luctonians under pressure. The North Herefordshire Club were proud of their ability the previous week to prevent Exeter Uni from scoring a try and Hornets knew their defence was strong. 

The game started with both sides attacking at pace and both defences were being stretched until Luctonians infringed in front of the posts and Charlie Carter was able to slot the goal. 0-3. 

Alas, again Hornets inability to control the restart and Luctonians sensed a chance and they took it to get the first try of the afternoon. 7-3. 

Hornets again struggled with the lineout and were giving up possession too easily and they were guilty of not being able to put more than a few phases together before losing the ball which assisted the hosts and they capitalised with another score. 14-3. 

Hornets then got their act together and were knocking on the door but just being kept out by solid defence, it looked like an inevitable score for Hornets as the maul from the lineout got to within a yard of the line only for the ball to be dropped and so chance gone. The resulting scrum to the home side was a to be crucial for Hornets as when the ball was being cleared Kieran Ward was in a tussle with a Luctonian on the floor and the referee and his assistants decided violent conduct and sent him off on 38 minutes. This then meant the rest of the game for Hornets with 14 men which is a challenge. H.T 14-3 

Hornets were determined to get the first score of the second half to keep them in the game but alas it was the hosts with the first try. 19-3 

Hornets were struggling with the lack of a forward in the set piece and conceded a penalty try and yellow to Tom Sims .26-3 

Down to 13 and things were looking bleak but Hornets set up attacks of their own and the card happy referee decided to level things up and sent to Luctonians to the sin bin for 10 minutes. With parity Hornets upped their game and Hayden Tuttiett spotted a gap and went over, and a chink of light for the visitors converted by Carter.26-10 

Unfortunately, that soon fizzled out as again the lack of ball control and very average set piece play allowed Luctonians 2, what you would consider very soft tries to put Hornets out of sight.40-10 

Hornets however did manage a late spurt as Connor Vickery finished off a well worked try. Final Score Luctonians 40 Hornets 15. 

This proved to be a very frustrating, disappointing game as Hornets were starting to improve week by week but a setback in this game was hard to stomach but things are always going to be difficult if you are down a man for a whole half. A break next week for a rest and chance to regather and await the visit from Dings to the Nest on the 26th November.