Hornets RFC

Hornets welcomed 5th placed Luctonians to the Nest on a damp day in their latest quest in National 2 West and although nearly got a losing bonus point it was taken away by Luctonians with just 2 minutes left on the clock and so ended up pointless in this game. 

All the talk in the week from Luctonians was how their huge forwards were going to dominate Hornets and on the plastic pitch steamroller the home team, however their big pack did have the edge, but they were far from totally dominate especially in the lineout where Hornets enjoyed stealing the visitors ball on many occasions. However, it was a Hornets scrum on their own 5m line which was the undoing of the bonus point. 

Luctonians started at pace and only solid defence kept them out and Hornets were able to attack themselves but were thwarted by Luctonians. The visitors had the chance to run at Hornets through the forwards and when Ayden Chenoweth was adjudged to of illegally entered a ruck the ref went straight to his pocket to issue a yellow card to the openside. Luctonians took full advantage and their strong running no.8 barreled over for the first try and conversion. 0-7. 

Hornets from the restart and down to 14 put pressure on Luctonians and a good kick from Charlie Carter had the visitors pinned in their own 22 and a subsequent penalty and Hornets kicked to the corner. 

The lineout which was superb all day and Tommy Bailey won the ball and a couple of close quarter runs and Adam Francis was strong enough to go over and Carter converted to level the scores. 7-7 

This inspired Luctonians and they set up a series of attacks again, they forced a chance which was well taken and the lead restored .7-14. 

Hornets were now on the attack and even after 3 penalties on their own line the referee decided Luctonians only deserved a warning for penalties in the red zone! Hornets pushed again and more penalties and this time the hooker got his marching orders, but the impetus was gone, and they were able to hang on till halftime. 

The second half was just as frantic as Luctonians kept the pressure on only to be knocked back by outstanding defence in midfield and Callum Lane was typically superb with his tackling. 

Luctonians forwards trying to get a foothold but were having lineouts stolen and, in the tackle, getting turned over as the home team were containing the visitors but eventually, they got a chance from a 5m lineout and they squeezed over and the conversion opened the lead.7-21. 

Hornets were not a team to roll over and set up good attacking rugby of their own and more penalties from Luctonians and Hornets had worked the ball to the 5m line and an attacking lineout. The said lineout was secured by Bailey and cleverly with support Chris Francis set off and got over the line for a well worked try and Carter again got the extras. 14-21. 

Just 12 minutes left in the game and Luctonians threw everything at Hornets as they were after their own bonus point in the way of a fourth try but again lineouts lost and turnovers and Hornets were inching towards the point. Alas the decisive scrum in the last couple of minutes and the point was gone.14-26. 

Hornets tried in the last couple to get the score but were unable to and so the game finished. Final score Hornets 14 Luctonians 26. 

Another tough game at the Nest but Hornets again showed they are more than good enough to play at this level and just a couple of decisions or errors corrected they will hopefully be able to maintain the town of Weston super Mare is represented in the National Leagues by Hornets