Sat 21 Jan 2023, 14:30
Hornets welcomed Stourbridge to a very busy Nest in the latest National 2 West League game and came up with the performance of the season to beat the bottom team.
Hornets were well beaten away at Stourbridge earlier in the season and although they are struggling are a team that cannot be taken lightly. Stourbridge have bolstered their team recently including ex Worcester Warriors and Welsh International Ashley Beck who Captained the team.
After mixed performances this Calendar year it was important that Hornets hit the ground running and not, as in the past, allow the opposition to get a foothold.
On a bright but cold day the Artificial pitch again coming into its own as many games on Saturday succumbed to the weather but perfect conditions set up a great game and 11 tries for the big crowd to enjoy.
Stourbridge started really well with a series of controlled phases and it was a test for the Hornets defence, the Nest boys were excellent in absorbing all that Stourbridge could throw at them as the Midlands based team were struggling for survival in a league they have been in for many years.
However, Hornets were just waiting their chance to strike and after a super 50-22 kick from fly half Stuart Heal the lineout, which was good all day was perfectly executed and after Skipper Matt Parker made a break but held short it was the young Tommy Bailey who crashed over to the delight of the home support and Charlie Carter was accurate with his boot.7-0.
Hornets were again under pressure when a kick from Stourbridge collected by Henry Gliddon on his own try line allowed the winger the chance to show his skill as he shimmied through a disappointed defence to find himself on the halfway line and Hornets had turned defence into attack and were looking strong.
Carter was in his own half when everyone expected his strong run but the full back was able to kick another 50-22 and Hornets were again in the 22.
Scrums followed the lineout and the dominant home pack forced the visitors to concede plenty of penalties and eventually a yellow card to Stourbridge. Following one of the penalties it was Parker who took a quick tap and was strong enough to barrel over and the successful kick by Carter and Hornets had opened up a 14-point lead.
However, Stourbridge weren’t going to let Hornets have it all their own way and worked their way up field to get a fine try of their own.14-7
With 8 minutes left the Hornets were hoping to go into halftime with a slender lead but turned on the style with an absolute game winning display of quality strong quick rugby.
A chip in midfield found the effervescent Gliddon who gathered and outstripped the defence to score.
More pressure and another perfect lineout and Mua Inoke was on hand to open his enormous legs to storm over and then just at the death of the half the excellent Dec Dorrington made a superb break and when he looked inside for support the perfect back of the hand pass found Inoke lurking with excited eyes and you are not going to stop him from 5 metres out. Three conversions by Carter and Hornets had completely taken full control of the game.35-7.
Hornets started the second half as they finished the first and following a fantastic break in midfield by Connor Vickery, the big centre was over and the lead extended by Carter’s conversion.42-7
Stourbridge had chances to attack as both sides were in an arm wrestle and Hornets were in a comfortable position of defending a lead instead of chasing the game and Stourbridge were able to get 2 tries before after great forward play got Hornets deep into Stourbridge’s 22 and in the resultant maul Josh Lloyd crashed over and Hornets had stopped the rot.
Then followed a couple of yellow cards to Hornets as Stourbridge again tried to at least get a bonus point try and so when down to 13 Hornets were unable to keep them out and their bonus point was secured and the game came to a close and Hornets were the victors. 47-26.
This much anticipated game with 2 sides languishing in the bottom half of the league shows the standard of rugby that National rugby brings is enormous and Hornets again showed they are more than capable of playing at this level and are massively enjoying the challenge and are getting the rewards.
A very difficult away fixture next week to Exeter Uni which is likely to be a high scoring game going by past matches before the rearranged big game away at Barnstaple.
