Hornets remain second after another victory

Hornets extended their winning sequence with a challenging victory at home to Redingensians.

Hornets 25 pts

Redingensians 18 pts

HORNETS welcomed Redingensians to The Nest for possibly the most challenging fixture in the club’s history.

The visitors kicked off in an unexpected heavy storm, but the kick failed to reach the 10-metre line. The resulting scrum demonstrated Redingensians power up front, but despite going backwards, Hornets were awarded a penalty and were able to clear.

A counter attack saw Dempsey storm through a gap and make good ground into the opposition half. At the breakdown, a penalty was awarded and Jermaine Jones slotted the kick for a 3-0 lead against the run of play.

Redingensians went straight back on the attack and a try looked certain, but full-back Joe Gadd not only to put in a big tackle, but also managed a turnover to earn a penalty. James Letherby cleared for a temporary respite.

However, the Rams were soon back on the attack, this time they fly hacked through and just won a foot race to touch down the bouncing ball, with Gadd dislocating his shoulder in the process. Thanks go out to Daren Griffiths, a club member and paramedic, who was on hand quickly to administer pain relief.

The Rams eased into an 8-3 lead from a penalty and then missed a further chance to score. However, Hornets regrouped just before half-time and forced their way in the opposition 22 and spread the ball wide for Andy Wheller to score in the corner to level the scores at the break.

The second half saw the Rams in the ascendency and their pack seemingly gaining the upper hand. They added a penalty for a 11-8 lead, but Hornets immediately hit back when Charlie Carter broke through the centre of the defence and passed for Letherby to touch down.

Again Redingensians came back through their back and this time the dominance of their pack saw them awarded a penalty try for a lead 18-13 to the visitors.

Hornets’ pack came rampaging back with Dave Geddes and Phil Hogarth putting in great shifts and the set piece got back on the front foot with Sean Kent entering the fray from the bench and Alex Chase returning from the bench at prop.

Chris Francis having moved to the back row, took exception to his opposite number leaving the scrum early and the resulting skirmish saw both players shown yellow cards.

Hornets responded and the last 15 minutes of the game saw them storm back into the game. As the game broke up, the young Hornets’ backs came into their own.

Carter made several dangerous breaks and Jones smashed his way through the defence to put Hornets in front and then set up Sean Disney to score the score a last minute bonus point try to kill the game off and leave the stunned Redingensians clinging to a losing bonus point.

Jones was awarded man of the match and Hornets remain in second place and can now look forward to Saturday’s trip to league leaders Exmouth, where they will continue to their winning run which now runs to five matches.