Hornets Under-15s lost a close encounter with Bath in the quarter-finals of the Somerset Cup.

HORNETS Under-15s hosted Bath in the quarter-finals of the Somerset Cup, but were beaten 14-0 in a close match.

On a sparkling day after so much rain, both sides were keen to get back to playing rugby and although wet under foot, the teams produced some excellent rugby.

Hornets started well and were putting pressure on their well-organised opposition and the game ebbed and flowed. The superb back row of Holyday, Richardson and Francis were firing on all cylinders and were a constant threat the whole game.

Solomon, with his typical sniping runs and backed up by his threequarters, moved the ball well in attack. Bath’s kicking game was cancelled out by Chamberlain as he returned the ball with interest.

Bath began to get the upper hand and eventually they managed to get over for a converted try.

The second half started in a similar vein and Hornets had a chance when Holyday intercepted on halfway, with Richardson in support, but Bath managed to recover. The visitors absorbed the pressure and broke out for another converted try.

Hornets’ heads never dropped and with great runs by Turner and Foroughi, backed up by solid line-out play by Eades, Dover and Mohide, they kept plugging away, but it was not enough.

Tim Lamb, local McDonalds franchisee has kindly sponsored hoodies for Hornets Under-16s’ forthcoming tour to Jersey. He is pictured presenting one of the tops to captain Sam Aplin. While on tour, the team will play against Jersey Under-16s, and attend the Rugby Championship fixture between Jersey and Leeds Carnegie.