Hornets RFC

Hornets welcomed local rivals Dings Crusaders to the Nest in the latest National 2 West league match and although they didn’t get the much-needed victory they produced a fine display to get 2 bonus points right on full time. 

This current squad is a mix of young players and more experienced ones and it is some of the older players who in the past have represented Dings and a lot of familiar faces were playing against Hornets. 

The game started in a mix of wind and rain and with the floodlights fully operational it was a dreek day but the quality of the rugby considering was very high by both sides. 

Dings seemed to get the early exchanges on the front foot and solid Hornets defence was required to keep them out but when an opportunity arose Dings took it and scored the first try of the afternoon. 0-7. 

This inspired the visitors and were on the attack again and were rewarded with another score and Hornets were looking shakey.0-14. 

However, from the restart the ball was secured and a series of interlinking and Connor Vickery made the break and it was the returning electric winger Oscar James who was on hand to score and Charlie Carter was on target with the kick and Hornets were back in the game.7-14. 

This set up Hornets on the ascendancy and more pressure and Hornets had the ball over the line but not able to ground it until Carter was able to finish off a great move and conversion and Hornets had drawn level. 14 all. 

Halftime soon followed and Hornets went in to the changing rooms with much improved confidence for the second half. 

The restart by Hornets had Dings under pressure but they were good enough to clear their lines and keep Hornets out. A break by Dings’ scrum half had Hornets in trouble and an offence by Jamie Elswood led to him receiving a yellow card and for the next 10 minutes Hornets were a man down. 

This inspired Dings and they set about piling the pressure on and this led to 2 tries and Hornets were again under the cosh.14-24. 

Despite all their efforts Hornets couldn’t get the score and when they got close the set piece would sometimes let them down and after one such set piece that went array Dings went the length of the pitch in a flash and Hornets were hit with the sucker punch. 14-31. 

However, this seemed to inspire Hornets into action and constant pressure had the visitors backpedaling and this eventually led to a yellow card and now Hornets had the man advantage and this was quickly turned into points as the crowd pleaser in the way of Mua Inoke on in the front row was able to barrel over out wide and Hornets sensed another try would at least be a bonus point.19-31. 

Now with the ascendancy again and Dings were being battered by a rampant Hornets pack and with hardly any time left on the clock another yellow to Dings and Hornets had one go at the score. Following a penalty and deep into extra time the ball was kicked to Dings’s 5m line and the resultant lineout and maul and Bailey Jackson was able to trundle over much to the delight of the large crowd and Carter was accurate with the conversion. Alas that was it and the ref brought an end to the game. Final Score Hornets 26 Dings Crusaders 31. 

Although disappointed with not being able to win the game the Nest boys were happy to have picked up 2 bonus points against a side sitting very comfortably in 3rd spot in the league. 

Next week starts a run of 3 games leading up to Christmas and Hornets will be looking to get their 3rd win and inch their way up the table.