Hornets Colts ran in nine tries away to Taunton.

Taunton Colts 5 pts

Hornets 51 pts

HORNETS’ young guns stepped up well, along with the makeshift centre pairing of No 8 Alex Colborne and scrum-half Conor Littlewood, as nine regulars were missing at Hyde Park in Taunton.

Hornets opened the scoring after good work by Alex Perkins, Lewis Brake, Colborne and Littlewood set up fly-half Craig Nicholls to finish from 50 metres out. Colborne added Hornets second try after Littlewood’s break.

Colborne then bizarrely emerged from a Taunton maul with the ball to sprint 30 metres for his second try that he again converted. After more pressure on the Taunton line, a quickly taken penalty and pass from Colborne sent Littlewood scything through the defence for Hornets fourth try.

Birthday boy Johnny Xanh scored Hornets’ fifth try with a spectacular solo effort that saw the wingman gather his own chip ahead before diving in at the corner to make it 29-0 at the break.

The second half saw Colborne complete his hat-trick after great work from Nicholls. Sam Lewis was next on the score sheet after good work by Littlewood and Matthew Cates, who found Lewis in support.

Andrew Wheller showed immense power for Hornets’ eighth try when he flattened his opposite number on hal way before sprinting clear to touch down. Hornets’ final try went to Xanh to celebrate his 18th birthday with a brace before a late Taunton trymade the final score 51-5 to Hornets.

Hornets’ coaches were particularly pleased with the performance of Under-17s Long, Cates, Bailey, Higgins, Scott, Powell, Grubb and Preston, who stepped up brilliantly. While Chenneour played well enough to be in contention for the Newport Caravans man of the match award, along with 21 point Colborne, it was back rower Lewis Brake who made off with the award.