Hornets registered a bonus point victory away at Coney Hill.

CONEY HILL 5 pts

HORNETS 34 pts

FOLLOWING last week’s victory in the local derby against Clevedon, Hornets travelled to Coney Hill full of confidence to play a team yet to register a point in this year’s South West Division 1 campaign.

Hornets were quickly into their stride. Within five minutes the expansive play had pushed Coney Hill back into their own 22. With a line-out being secured, the forwards elected to keep the ball tight and a rolling maul saw Chase crash over for a trademark try. Gaulton coolly added the conversion for an early 7-0 lead.

Within minutes Hornets were on the offensive again. A weaving run by Sam Balkham saw him gain ground and Coney Hill were forced to give away a penalty, kicked by Gaulton.

Coney Hill responded and forced a penalty, which was missed, and then crashed over for an unconverted try on 27 minutes.

With the pressure being absorbed, Hornets were able to clear their lines and after a series of penalties close to the Coney Hill line, Jack Gadd was held up over the try line before Chase took a quick tap penalty which found Carter, who was pulled up just short of the line.

Grimes was next in on the action, taking the ball at pace he crashed through the Coney Hill defence and quick ball found the defence offside and Gaulton extended the lead to 13-5.

The restart saw Hornets inflict the killer blow, Hogarth took a clean catch and rather than taking contact elected to move the ball to Littlewood. His quick hands found Gadd who was able to break the defence and offload to Carter to crash over in the corner. Gaulton was again successful with the kick.

The second half was a dour affair. The first 20 minutes were lit up only by a typically rampaging run from Parker. This run got Hornets back on the front foot and the building pressure saw Coney Hill reduced to 14 men through a yellow card for persistent infringements.

The advantage only lasted a few minute though as Gould came off the bench and immediately was judged to have made a tip tackle and found himself taking an unwelcome 10 minute break.

With the game petering out and Coney Hill tiring, good play by Kent, Disney and Jack Gadd saw Joe Gadd stroll over for a converted try.

From the restart Hornets were quickly back on the attack and a clever through ball from Letherby led to a penalty. Parker was quick to take it and released Joe Gadd to score his second under the posts.

Again the try was converted by Gaulton to give a final score of 34-5 and a well deserved bonus point victory which sees Hornets rise to second in the table.

On Saturday, North Petherton visit The Nest in what is likely to be a big challenge for the home team. Selection will also be a challenge with Balkham and Gaulton both having excellent games.

Hornets 2nd XI 30 pts

Wellington 2nd XI 10 pts

THE seconds got off to a good start with a try by Bobby Hewlett after good work by Josh Hallett and Jake Fereday.

Dan Elliott threw well in the line-out to James Snelling before Elliott was forced off with a rib injury. Big hits came from Jermaine Jones, Nick Summers and captain Mark Sheridan, but Wellington scored to make it 5-5 at half-time.

After the break, Stuart Vinnicombe began pulling the strings at No 10 and Jermaine Jones bossed the midfield. An outrageous crossfield kick by Jones set up Hewlett for his second try.

Great work from Matthew Robert Whatley, Dexter Nettleton, Darren Griffiths and fast hands from debutant Connor Davidson unleashed Hewlett for another try.

With the Hornets pack now in dominant mood at the uncontested scrums, Jones crashed over for a try. Hewlett scored the last try after good work by Vinnicombe.

Mark Sheridan was voted as the man of the match.

Tor 2nd XV 29 pts

Hornets 3rd XV 22 pts

DESPITE fielding a slightly weakened back line, Hornets opened the scoring through Ben Briffitt after good work by Lee Hutchinson and Rob Owen.

Hornets did not hold onto their lead for long as Tor scored a converted try. Hornets responded with a try for Greg White, after good hands by Briffitt, Owen and Symiakos.

After the break, Tor scored three tries without reply to lead 24-10. Hornets responded with a try by Dave Mitchell, before Tor scored again.

Dennis Hull, Mitchell and Jack Russ were all held up over the line before the referee awarded a penalty try. Mitchell added the conversion with the last kick of the game leave Tor victors 29-22, but Hornets with two bonus points.

Man of the match Dave Mitchell.