Hornets 10 Taunton Warriors 27

Class, fitness, tenacity and determination are just some of the adjectives which may be used to describe the performance of this team in their game against Hornets.  All of these attributes were needed to repel a very determined Hornets team who opened the scoring and went in at half time with a 10 point to 7 lead.

Hornets opened the scoring after just 6 minutes with a well worked try which was converted by their centre Charlie Carter who with ball in hand was causing the Warriors problems in the centre.  On three occasions he made breaks and Hornets looked to be through to score but some exceptional tackling back by Louis Sinclair saved the day.  The Warriors recognised the threat and changed their game plan, retaining possession and using their more mobile pack to drive at Hornets.  On 14 minutes Hornets gave away a penalty which resulted in a kick to the corner, a catch and drive from the lineout with Sol Moody breaking away from the drive to score the try which Louis converted to level the scores.  Hornets defended well and relied on Warriors mistakes, of which there were a number during this period, for any possession.  When they did break through Taunton resisted their foray’s.  On the stroke of halftime Hornets were awarded a penalty which centre Charlie Carter kicked to give Hornets a halftime lead.

10 minutes into the second half and the Warriors were forced to make some changes with both Louis and Charlie Wray having to go off. This brought Ben Alvis to come up from Fullback to outside half and from some fine build up play just one minute later he was in for the try.  The conversion was missed but the Warriors had a two-point lead.  Fitness was now starting to show and both Henry Webb and Nick Mason were making half breaks in the centre and creating overlaps.  Oscar Stewart was showing his class by utilising his pace and tenacity but the Hornets cover though stretched were able to pull him down.  However good work on the other wing created an overlap for Josh Guest to go in and score the try which was not converted but gave the Warriors a seven-point lead.  The next try on 29 minutes showed the class of Connor Banks who made the break and with the support of the red scrum capped player Broady Sheach who continued the break before handing on to his fellow backrow Luke Bralsford for the try.  The fourth of the afternoon and the try bonus point.  Other opportunities came but with just two minutes left on the clock Josh Guest used all of his determinant to force himself over for the fifth and last try of the afternoon.

There were some very good statements made by a lot of players for Taunton RFC in this game.  Alex Rodd who recovering from sickness still put on the shirt and gave his all for the Warriors.  Henry Webb returning from injury making his first appearance of the season, Nick Mason who showed those touches of class in the centre.  Harry Wright and Sam Knott who were helping that powerhouse of the front row. Young Jo Atkins who was against very experienced props. Connor Banks who has turned up and supported the Warriors all season and gives useful advice and encouragement to our younger players which allows them to play their expansive game.  We must also praise our latest and newest recruit Alex Spurdle who had to play the full eighty minutes at number 8 which exemplifies the first statement of fitness.  This was a good, hard-fought win by all of the players from Taunton RFC.