A rampant Hornets side proved too strong for Weston in front of the biggest crowd for many years at the Recreation Ground.

WESTON 3 pts

HORNETS 34 pts

IN FRONT of the biggest crowd for many years, Weston were put to the sword by a superb Hornets team which produced five tries without reply in the first-ever National League match between the two clubs.

Weston were beaten in most departments. The set scrums were just about even, but the line-out and loose belonged to the visitors whose back division took maximum advantage.

Led by fly-half James Letherby, the midfield of Adam Francis and skipper Rob Dempsey gave their opposites a torrid time.

Weston problems started in the first seconds when fly-half Iain Chisholm’s kick-off went straight into touch and by the seventh minute they were 10 points in arrears.

With Jermaine Jones’ penalty and conversion of prop Alec Chase’s try gave Hornets the early impetus as Weston prop Darren Crompton was yellow carded.

Weston had to wait until the 17th minute for any meaningful possession and Harry Jones and full-back Ross Bennett took play to the visitors’ line.

But Hornets defence was rock solid and on the half-hour, Francis took Letherby’s scoring pass on the burst, Jones’ conversion taking the score to 0-17.

Another line-out drive gave Chase is second try in the 40th minute and in time added Chisholm’s penalty took the interval score to 3-22.

Weston started the second half with centre Sylvan Edwards and No 8 Cronan Gleeson going close.

But by the 52nd minute they were defending desperately, but were unable to prevent the pushover try by flanker Rob Cheeseborough after Chisholm had been sent to the bin.

Jones’ third conversion followed and their final try was scored by the outstanding Letherby as Weston’s day ended when Harry Jones lost the ball over the visitors’ line.

Teams – Weston: R Bennett, E Maloney, H Jones, S Edwards, M Watkins, I Chisholm, H Tuttiett, D Crompton, C Withers, O Streeter, A Russell, A Glen, B Cox, G Sparks (c), C Gleeson. Replacements: M Walker, E Hunt, M Chisholm.

Hornets: S Balkham, C Carter, R Dempsey (c), A Francis, J Jones, J Letherby, S Disney, A Chase, C Francis, S Haines, C Harris, P Hogarth, R Cheeseborough, K Dillon, M Parker. Replacements: S Kent, S Donegan, C Littlewood.

As a result of this match, Hornets move into third place in National 3 South West, while Weston slip into the bottom two.

The Seasiders will now have to regroup quickly for their must win match against Newton Abbot at the Recreation Ground on Saturday (2.30pm).