Hornets Under-16s defeated a strong Bristol Combination side 14-12 in an exciting encounter.

THE Bristol Combination went to town in putting together a side to take on cup holders Hornets at Broad Plain.

The Bristol Combination is a side made up of some of the best players from around the Bristol area. Hornets were by far the smaller of the teams, but their team spirit proved to be the difference as they narrowly edged out Bristol by 14-12.

From the kick off, Ryan Massey, Joe Smith and Conor Littlewood all put in big tackles as Bristol probed for the first score. Despite Hornets big efforts in defence Bristol took the lead with a try in the corner.

Hornets hit back with a try by Adam Thompson, converted by Adam Francis. A missed tackle by Hornets allowed Bristol to score a converted try to give them a 12-7 interval lead.

The second half saw Hornets come under huge pressure from the powerful Bristol outfit, but their commitment and work rate in defending was just rewards for keeping the half scoreless.

Just before the hour, Hornets made a rare trip upfield and Craig Nicholls burst through a gap on halfway before side stepping the full back to score a wonderful try. Connor Davidson knocked over the conversion to give Hornets a two point lead and victory.

Massey, Reseigh, Thompson and Smith and Colborne were outstanding in the Hornets pack, while Nicholls and Sam Lewis shone in the back division.

Hornets squad: Massey(c), Ward, Hobbs, Reseigh, Perkins, Thompson, Greatbanks, Jackson, Ogden, Brake, Colborne, Howe, Smith, Littlewood, Davidson, Nicholls, Xanh, Francis, Lewis, Wheller, Balkham.

THE last of the season’s cup finals was played out in surprisingly good conditions at Bridgwater & Albion between Winscombe and Keynsham Under-15s.

The match started well for Winscombe when Keynsham received the kick-off, but a pass inside was intercepted by Winscombe centre Sam Rees who scored beneath the posts. Darren Atkins converted and with only seconds of the match gone.

From the restart, Winscombe quickly moved the ball wide and within a few phases, winger Toby Sims had added a second and Winscombe were 12-0 up.

There was some excellent line-out work from Sam Hartshorne and Oscar Drysdale before Keynsham kicked a penalty. The subsequent restart was kicked deep, but Winscombe’s Kieron Gibson recovered the ball and released Atkins for a try, which he also converted for a 19-3 lead at half-time.

Winscombe began brightly again, Sam Dearsley and Gabriel Counsell settting up Sims for his second score, fly-half Atkins converting again.

Good kicking from Sims kept Keynsham pinned back, and their attempts to return the ball landed in the arms of Robbie Wallis, who consistently brought the Winscombe three-quarters into play.

Winscombe had captain Josh Daly yellow carded for offside, and Keynsham took advantage and scored a converted try. Daly rejoined the game and scored the final try to end the match 31-10 winners.

WESTON Under-9s squad turned out in force to swell the numbers at the annual awards day.

Acknowledgements were given to Paul and Pete for their coaching and also to Mark, Gary, Dave and Joe for their help at training throughout the season.

Thanks also went to Julie for her help with the kit and Andy and Gail received thanks for their work securing sponsorship.

The most improved player of the year was awarded to Charlie Harding and the player of the year was awarded to Alfie Calcutt.

Squad: Tom Burge, Louis Satherley, Ellie Redman, Dylan Way, Alfie Calcutt, Paige Nigh, Stanley Pincott, Jamie Meaden, Joel Briffit, Matthew James, Charlie Harding, Ciaran Kelman, Edward Land, Bradley Robinson, Max Dunstone, Louis Boon, George Charalambous, Ryan Bradfield, Lottie Doods, Jackson Webb, Lewis Hughes, Louis Warren, Savio Quan.