Understrength U14s show fighting spirit but miss out to Blackbrook

HHF U14 16 Blackbrook U14 40 THE Hornets went into the first league fixture of the season with only 12 players but every one of them can take pride in this gutsy performance.

After the opening exchanges it was Blackbrook who began to take control of the game with the numerical advantage allowing them to cross out wide for a couple of scores.

The Hornets began to use the ball better as the half went on with Daniel Kershaw and Alex Davies combining well off the back of some strong running from the fearless Jamie Holroyd and fired-up Will Gilhooley.

Working tirelessly all game, Gabe Mault and Alex Fone helped push the ball to the right for Owen Blackwood to beat three defenders to score. Alex Sutton tacked on the conversion.

Blackbrook went back on the attack and the extra player saw them score three tries without reply before the break.

The second half started with more pressure on the Halton line, only for good scrambling defence from Joseph Goodall and Brandon Sutton help keep Blackbrook out.

Unable to find a way around the Hornets’ defence the Blackbrook prop forced his way over the line from short-range after being held up numerous times.

The Hornets could have thrown in the towel but some lionhearted running from Matthew Chandler help set the platform for the remainder of the game.

Hornets actually went on to win the second half with Matthew Doyle pouncing on a crossfield kick to open his account for the season.

After forcing a couple of repeat sets, the Hornets’ solid pressure paid off as Sutton picked up a loose ball to wind his way across field and find a gap in the defence to race clear and score.

The Hornets were unlucky not to cross again with a Blackbrook player sent to the sin-bin for denying a scoring opportunity with a professional foul.

Hornets pressed for another score but were unable to convert the pressure in to points.

Hornets hope to have injured players returning for this weekend’s fixture at Rochdale. ● If you are currently in school Year 9 (or 8) and fancy giving rugby league a try then the U14s’ training sessions are from 7pm-8pm at the Select Security Stadium on Tuesday and Thursday evenings or contact Jon Doyle on 07810434263 for further information.

HFH U12 22 Crosfields U12 6 HORNETS got the new season off to a good start against a big Crosfields side.

It was set-for-set for the first 10 minutes with Hornets sticking to their gameplan in the conditions.

Then with slick hands Finlay Hill crossed for the first try of the game.

With Hornets showing some brilliant hands, Hill then went over for his second fourpointer.

Crosfields then advanced to the Hornets’ line and went over from the play-the-ball.

Just before half-time, Hornets were camped on the Crosfields line.

New boy George Charnock crossed to score and Peter Scott added the goal for a 14-6 interval advantage.

The second-half started like the first, set-for-set, and both sides playing really well going forward.

It was Hornets who scored the contest’s next try with Dan O’Neill going over.

And back on the front from the kick-off, Conall Slavin scored a fine solo effort to wrap up an excellent 22-6 Hornets triumph.

It was a great team performance with the coaches’ award going to Carney Flynn while the top tackler was Jack Craig.