HORNETS’ player-coach Phil Hogarth welcomed his former club to Hutton Moor Park at the weekend as the 1st XV took on Taunton 2nd XV in their latest Tribute Somerset Premier League match.

HORNETS’ player-coach Phil Hogarth welcomed his former club to Hutton Moor Park at the weekend as the 1st XV took on Taunton 2nd XV in their latest Tribute Somerset Premier League match.

In a tense and nervous start, Taunton took the lead with an unconverted try after 15 minutes. The home side hit back three minutes later when Tom Bradley made a break up the middle and slipped the ball to John Ferguson, who beat the cover defence to score his second try in as many games. The conversion by Sam Lloyd-Jones gave Hornets a 7-5 lead.

Only two minutes later, Hornets were back on the attack and following some fantastic play by forwards and backs, Lloyd-Jones found himself in space and kicked a drop-goal to extend the lead.

From the restart, Hornets seemed to switch off and the Taunton centre ran through the defence to score under the posts. The successful conversion gave Taunton the lead.

This served as the wake-up call that Hornets needed and they were soon controlling the scrum. With the forwards driving for the line, several attacks were stopped just short, but Neil Chenoweth managed to charge over for a try under the posts. Lloyd-Jones again converted and Hornets went into the break leading 17-12.

Hornets started the second half as they had finished the first, dominating the scrum and camped in the Taunton 22. Their pressure rewarded with two quick penalties from Lloyd-Jones to take them 11 points ahead.

Hornets hit back when a planned move saw Stu Vinnicombe run in for his sixth try of the season. Unfortunately the extras were missed, but Hornets were one try away from a bonus point.

With all Hornets efforts being made to get this decisive score, Taunton capitalised on gaps appearing in the defence and crossed for a consolation try in the final minutes to make the final score 28-19.

On Saturday, Hornets travel to Whitchurch to play St Bernadettes, where they aim to maintain their unbeaten run and extend their lead at the top of the table.

Hornets 2nds 28 pts

Chew Valley 2nds 11 pts

Travelling with a bare 15 and soon down to 14 due to an injury to Jake King, the Seconds were up against it.

They were already eight points down and were further reduced in numbers for infringing against penalties, but a 12-man Hornets put in a back move to grace any game.

Kingman put Cheesbrough in under the posts and with Watson adding the extras, this raised the spirits of the team. Shortly after, there was a well-deserved try for Preston, again under the posts, giving Hornets a 14-8 lead.

Chew converted a penalty to close the gap, but then Watson sprung clear scoring a fine solo effort and then adding the extras before clinching the game with another solo run down the wing from a quick tap penalty, making the final score 28-11.

Hornets 3rds 29 pts

Chard 3rds 17 pts

The Thirds got off to a good start when scrum-half Tim Coker passed to centre Paul Morrisey, who crashed over the line for the opening try, converted by Rob Owen.

The Hornets received the ball from the re-start and the forwards made ground into the Chard 22. This time hooker Ian Cullum smashed through the defence to score.

Chard came back with a try, but Hornets’ full-back used his footballing skills to dribble the ball over the line from 20 metres to score. No 8 Chaz Malone scored just before the break to make the score 22-5.

After the break, Chard scored another try, but Hornets replied with another score for Malone, converted by Owen. Chard ended the scoring just before the final whistle with a converted try.