Hornets director of rugby Jon Richardson said their National 2 West League game at Old Redcliffians should be a “cracking encounter.”

The two sides meet this afternoon (2pm) at Scotland Lane.

This is the first meeting between the two sides this season.

“We always look forward to playing Reds. We’ve always had a good rivalry with them and the matches are usually pretty close affairs,” Richardson said. 

“Scotland Lane is a tough place to go and Reds have also hit some form so it should be a cracking encounter.”

Hornets will go into the game after a “fantastic performance” against Dudley Kingswinford last Saturday.

Matt Parker’s side won 54-22 at the Nest to claim their first win in seven games.

“It certainly was a fantastic performance from the team,” Richardson added.

“We were very happy with the result as well as the attitude and discipline of the lads. 

“They put in easily their performance of the year and it was so pleasing to see their commitment and dedication pay off and that is down to everyone that turns up to train and improve, not just the players lucky enough to be selected for the first team on a Saturday. 

“It really was the result of a superb group effort to which the coaching staff are very grateful.”

Richardson said it’s key for his side to “maintain that level of performance and belief” for the future but insists they will not get ahead of themselves after their win.

“I think that the most important thing is the belief it will have given the players,” he said.

“They have now proved to themselves that they can play at a new level, the key for us now is to maintain that level of performance and belief. 

“We’re not going to get carried away, Dudley are currently bottom of the league, however it definitely felt like we’d turned a page and will look to kick in from here.”