Hornets Colts head the league table after a comprehensive victory over North Bristol.

Hornets Colts 43 pts

North Bristol 5 pts

HORNETS Colts ensured they go into the New Year as league leaders, with a comprehensive win over North Bristol.

A lacklustre first-half performance was not helped by uncontested scrums throughout the game, due the visitors’ lack of a front row.

Mike Long fed Danny Bailey for his first try on three minutes and Leon Counsell doubled the lead on 19 minutes, but the lead was cut to 10-5 before half-time.

A much improved second half performance saw Jake Harper finish a third phase of rugby with a try, before a Bailey solo effort from his own 22 stretched the lead further.

He took over kicking duties, and slotted the first of four successful conversions for a 22-5 lead.

Sam Ashby fed Bailey for his hat-trick and Counsell scored his second try of the game following good work by Kyle Davies. The final score came with a minute remaining in a move involving Jacob Hill and Counsell, finished by Byron Marriott.

A successful end to first half of the season, soured slightly by injuries to Sam Aplin and Devon Rudden, which may rule them out of next week’s Under-17s Bristol Junior Combination Cup final.