Hornettes ladies travelled to Dorchester and won an exciting match 27-24.

HORNETTES ladies travelled to Dorchester with a bare 15 players and as Dorchester only had 14, the decision was to play 12-a-side.

In contrast to the last meeting of these two teams, Dorchester opened the scoring with a converted try after five minutes. The hosts had improved and after 20 minutes were 14-0 up.

Hornettes replied with a penalty which Laura Clarke put over the posts. Minutes later, Clarke kicked another penalty. Hornettes continued to build and after tremendous pressure from the forwards, No 8 Sinead Boys was pushed over the line with help from Kerrianne Williams to score, converted by Clarke.

Dorchester responded well and scored out wide for an unconverted try to make the score 19-13 to Dorchester at half-time.

Dorchester started the second half with another try, but they were tiring and Hornettes took advantage of this and in the last 15 minutes they came alive. Prop Emma Small made some strong runs and with the forwards setting up the ball, the backs did the rest and winger Lou Watson ran in from 25 metres. Clarke was off the pitch, but hooker Julie Hill converted.

Hornettes were on a roll and again with simple rugby, the forwards backs worked the ball out and Beth Ryall outpaced the defence to score under the posts, converted by Hill to make the final score 27-24 to Hornettes.

Forward of the match was Emma Small; back of the match: Laura Clarke.

Hornettes’ next game is home to St Mary’s Old Boys on Sunday (2.30pm).

Any ladies aged 18 or over interested in playing rugby, please contact Jenny Cockayne on 077177 90838 for more information.