Hornets returned to winning ways with an emphatic 10-try demolition of Chippenham.

Hornets 58 pts

Chippenham 13 pts

HORNETS welcomed Chippenham to The Nest and got back to winning ways in the league with an emphatic 10-try victory over a spirited Chippenham side that kept playing to the end.

It was Chippenham who started the brightest, putting Hornets on the back foot, but their defence was strong and they were able to repel numerous attacks before Chippenham opened the scoring with a try after 11 minutes.

Hornets’ possession eventually saw them create some scoring opportunities and on 25 minutes, the backs broke the defensive line. Jermaine Jones made good ground and the ball was quickly recycled and moved wide for Joseph Gadd to bring the scores level at 5-5.

The Hornets forwards now started to exert pressure, particularly at the scrum and with a disciplined performance at the breakdown, they were providing quick ball for Conor Littlewood and James Letherby to release the backline.

It was a great flat pass from Letherby that put Robert Dempsey through a gap for the second try, converted by Jones. The forwards created a solid platform at a ruck, following another Jones break, and Littlewood darted over to score. Jones again converted for 19-8 half-time lead.

The hosts started the second half in impressive style and were able to keep their foot on the accelerator throughout the second half, adding a further 39 points.

The home pack was now dominating and an early second half penalty saw Hornets elect for a scrum. The ball was won cleanly, Matthew Parker broke from the back, fed Littlewood, who again darted over to score.

More pressure saw Sony Haines rampaging through and another penalty won at the breakdown. This time a Chippenham flanker was shown a yellow card and again Hornets elected for a scrum. This time the pack drove over and Parker touched down. Suddenly the score was 33-8 and the game appeared beyond Chippenham.

With the game opening up, the Hornets’ backline looked to run at every opportunity. With great control at the breakdown from Dexter Nettleton, Kade Dillon, Ross Cheeseborough and Courtney Harris, the backs were increasingly able to find space and move the ball from side to side.

This open attacking play saw the Hornets back three reap the benefits. Jones and Charlie Carter adding two tries each on the wings and Littlewood, now at full-back, completing his hat-trick with possibly the best of the 10 tries following some tremendous interplay down the wing with Carter.

An impressive final score of 58-13 will leave Hornets feeling much better about their performance and hopefully give them a renewed confidence for the important series of games to come.