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Friday, 24th April 2009
Newquay Hornets A 26 Old Elizabethans 10
A mixture of Hornets Firsts, Seconds and Colts turned out for the fixture at the Sports Centre on Friday evening. Their visitors on tour from North West Bristol, play in the Gloucester 2 League. In torrential rain and with thunder rolling around the ground, Hornets ran in four tries to two before fading light called a halt.
The first 15 minutes were fought out in midfield with Elizabethans runs being thwarted by the home defence. Then Colt scrum half, Jordan Henwood sliced through the defence to set up an attacking position for Hornets close to the visitors’ line. The slippery ball went loose on the right and wing Rob McIntyre snapped it up to open the scoring. He converted his own try with a drop kick from the touchline. On 24 minutes young full back Dan Pearce stretched Hornets’ lead. He fielded a clearance kick on his ten-metre line and ran through the opposition to score a try that he also converted.
Elizabethans threatened again, but the final pass let them down a number of times until, just before half time, No 8. Chris Carter went over to reduce Hornets’ lead to 14-5.
On 50 minutes the silky running of Dan Pearce added another Hornets’ try when he ran in from 30 metres to touch down and convert. He popped up again to run the ball down the left. Hornets recycled to give a second try to Rob McIntyre in the right corner.
With the gloom gathering, Elizabethans got into Hornets’ territory again and after some determined running, Dominic Swann got the final try of the match.
Scorers:
Newquay Hornets
Tries Rob McIntyre (2), Dan Pearce (2)
Conversions Dan Pearce (2), Rob McIntyre
Old Elizabethans
Tries Chris Carter, Dominic Swann
Newquay Hornets Team: James Bayley (John Paris), Lewis Bowns (James Bayley), Matt Mockford (Mark Headland), Andy Burbidge, Aaron McPherson, Matt White, Warren Rumble, Scott Trayner (Anthony White), Jordan Henwood, Tom Heayel, Tim Grainger, Tom Bazeley (James Ingle), George Ferris, Rob McIntyre, Dan Pearce
Ivybridge 8 Newquay Hornets 0
Tribute Western Counties West League
Hornets knew that they would have a difficult task at Cross-in-Hand on Saturday. Whilst their opponents had not been a high scoring side this season, they had overcome a shaky start to regain something like their form of the previous campaign. Ivybridge played to their strength. Their big pack drove at the Hornets’ defence, which did well to limit the home side to eight points.
In the first half Liam Kimber and Simon Ebsworth went close for Ivybridge, but they were rewarded with a penalty from Will Luscombe. Throughout Hornets’ set piece play at scrum and line out held up well, but the small pitch and the extremely muddy conditions limited their ability to use the pace they had out wide. Despite this, James Ingle made some piercing runs in the first half. Five minutes after half time their play was badly disrupted by blood injuries to halfbacks Tim Eustice and Simon Horton. Then Kimber got on the score sheet for the home side. He caught a clearance kick near halfway and ran through the visitors’ defence for the touchdown that sealed the win.
Things look brighter for the Hornets in the run up to Christmas. Despite two tough home matches they can look forward to the return of players from injury and unavailability. Next Saturday they play the rearranged match against Devonport Services at the Sports Centre. Kick off is at 2:30pm.
Scorers: Ivybridge Try, Liam Kimber. Penalty, Will Luscombe
Newquay Hornets Team: Alex Woodley, Luke Bazeley, Alex Bazeley, Andy Burbidge, Ross Robins, Lee Woodhatch, Luke Mansfield, Stuart Williams, Tim Eustice, Simon Horton, Adam Rainey, Andy Dixon, Rob Ley, Rob McIntyre, James Ingle, Josh Gray, Simon Lutey, Ashley Mann
Camborne Youth 10 Newquay Hornets Youth 22
County Colts Cup
A full squad of young Hornet Colts arrived at Camborne this Saturday filled with fighting spirit and eager to claim the points that will carry them to the play-offs. Within the first two minutes of the game Hornets found themselves with a chance of points, but the penalty kick went wide. Undeterred, the lads’ next move was to put a new tactic into play. Following a scrum up on the 22m line, some deft passing put the ball into the clutches of ferocious Hornet hooker Tom Powell. Taking the Camborne defence by surprise, he scattered them like skittles in his own inimitable way and scored effortlessly. Camborne, eager to draw level, did everything to carry the ball up the pitch only to see it kicked back down again. One very long kick from the boot of Liam Freemen seemed destined for the opposition, with Camborne players converging from all directions to take possession. But a lone streak of green was chasing the ball down through a sea of dithering cherry red and white and when one Camborne player after another fumbled the ball, James Alexander deftly swept it up and placed it firmly over the other side of the line giving Newquay their second try. Tom Heayel stepped up to the mark and added the conversion points. Not long after, however, the Camborne No. 10 scored a deserved try after managing to run uncontested up three quarters of the field. Subsequently, Camborne’s persistent reluctance to relinquish the ball when requested by the Referee led to a penalty being awarded that Tom took with no problems, bringing the half time score to 15:5 in the Hornets’ favour.
In the second half the Home team wheeled out the really big boys to push the scrums down the pitch and eventually score, but this gave Bulldog Broom all the more incentive to demonstrate “the bigger they are, the harder they fall”, in a series of tackles that had Camborne players dropping like flies throughout the match. Newquay also suffered blood injuries in the last 10 minutes losing Max White who had played extremely well, with a broken nose, James Alexander with a nasty 2½” gash on his head and also Tom Summers, leaving only 14 Hornets on the pitch with no more subs available. Nevertheless, Liam Freeman managed a worthy try from one of his amazing sprints and Tom Heayel converted again.
Next week Newquay Colts go to Bude, but will be missing both Jordan Henwood and Dan Pearce who will be representing England at an International Athletics Competition. Good Luck boys!!
Team: James Alexander, Tom Bradley, Ed Broom, Matt Cann, Liam Freeman, Nathan Gasiorowski, Tom Heayel, Jordan Henwood, Pat Hoare, Chesney King, Alex Mellor, Dan Pearce, Tom Powell, Tim Robey, Warren Rumble, Tom Summers, Max White, Joe Wilson.
Saturday, 29th November 2008
Newquay Hornets 3 Devonport Services 3 (Match Abandoned after 30 mins)
Tribute Western Counties West League
We were at home in the league to Devonport Services. It was our first match against them since both our clubs were in Cornwall and Devon league in 2003/4. And all who saw it will remember it, unfortunately, for the wrong reason. On a raw cold afternoon, after half an hour’s play, with the score at 3-3, Dan Johns sustained a dislocated ankle and a broken tibia. The photo on the back of the Newquay Voice spoke volumes for the agony of that moment. He was taken to hospital. He underwent an operation on Sunday and is now recovering at home. It put a real damper on the whole weekend for everyone. However it was good to hear this week that he is that bearing up after such a serious injury.
Dan’s treatment, the wait for the ambulance and his subsequent removal to hospital delayed the match so long that it was agreed to abandon it. It was now been re-arranged for Saturday, 13th December 2008. The cup match against Hayle will now be played on Saturday, 3rd January 2009.
Newquay Hornets Seconds 20 Hayle Seconds 0
Newquay recovered from the blip of last week with a convincing win at the Sports Centre on Saturday. Despite having to field a back line packed with forwards, Hornets dominated the game from the start. However initially they were unable to put the finishing touches to their promising play. They monopolised territory throughout the first half, but turned over the ball too frequently to trouble the score sheet. Hayle were restricted to hopeful kicks down the ground and were not able to establish a foothold in the Hornets half. Despite threatening the line on several occasions Hornets were only able to cross once before half time. A fine driving maul was finished off by Simon Barnes, but the referee ruled that the ball was held up over the line by the Hayle defence, leaving the score at 0-0 at half time.
Hornets made several changes at the break, including moving Tim Eustice from fly half to his more accustomed role at Number Eight. This seemed to settle the Hornets pack and they quickly established dominance. Within minutes of the kick off Scott Trayner, returning from injury, finished off a series of forward drives with a try from close range. The home side continued to press and followed up with another try. Quick ball allowed the Hornets’ backs to feed left wing Ashley Underhill and he outpaced the cover to cross in the corner. Trayner scored his second try from a quick penalty, before making the final try of the match for right wing Jack Benney, who used his pace to beat three would-be tacklers.
Saturday, 22nd November 2008
Camborne 13 Newquay Hornets 0
EDF Energy Senior Vase 3rd Round Tie
There was cold comfort for the Hornets’ travelling faithful at the Recreation Ground on Saturday. A subdued Hornets side really didn’t fire and came off the field without putting any points on the board for the first time this season.
Camborne avenged the league defeat at the Sports Centre earlier in the season. They kicked off with the stiff breeze at their backs and only last ditch Hornets defence prevented them from scoring after ten minutes. Hornets responded and spent time in the Camborne half, but couldn’t break down the home defence. Both sides missed kickable penalty attempts in the first quarter before fly half, David Mankee put Camborne ahead from a penalty just before the half hour, when the Hornets backs were caught offside. The Camborne kicking game, orchestrated by Mankee, kept Hornets on the back foot and just after the half hour a series of five metre scrums gave the Camborne pack the platform to maul the ball over for a try. Hooker, Sam Bartle touched down. Hornets replied with a drive down the left and they ended the half on the attack.
Directly after the restart, Camborne took the wind out of Hornets sails. First they ran the ball at them and set up a ruck on their visitors’ twenty-two. Then an audacious kick over the top from scrum half, James Rapson found no one at home in the Hornets’ defence. Winger, Adam Notman followed up to fall on the ball in goal for the try.
Hornets had the better of territory for the rest of the half, although Mankee still kicked to effect for the home side. Both Adam Rainey and Rob McIntyre, a constant threat, came close for them. On 55 minutes they brought on three forward substitutes and put the Camborne pack under real pressure, but possession was kicked away and there was no cutting edge to finish, so scoring chances went begging.
It’s back to the league for Hornets on Saturday, when they welcome Devonport Services to the Sports Centre. Kick off is at 2:30pm.
Scorers: Camborne Tries, Sam Bartle, Adam Notman
Newquay Hornets Team: James Bayley (Alex Bazeley), Alex Woodley (Luke Bazeley), Simon Lutey, Ross Robins, Andy Burbidge (Dan Johns), Luke Mansfield, Lee Woodhatch, Tim Eustice, Jason Caruana, Simon Horton, Adam Rainey, Andrew Dixon, James Ingle, Rob McIntyre, Tom Heayel
Newquay Hornets 3 Roseland 8
Cornwall Merit Table 2 East
Saturday's game at the Sports Centre saw Newquay 2nds lose their unbeaten record in the Merit Table. Roseland began the game on the front foot, retaining possession well as they did throughout the encounter. However, despite the advantage of the strong wind they were unable to find a way through the Hornets’ defence, with new flanker Josh Gray dishing out one spectacular, but fair, hit they were restricted to a couple of unsuccessful shots at goal. The Hornets’ makeshift pack was able to hold its own throughout the half and the backs threatened the line on several occasions as the break approached, although Steve Benney had a try disallowed the half finished scoreless.
The Hornets should have been able to use the wind to their advantage in the second half. Unfortunately the Roseland pack began to exert their authority. Hornets were unable to retain their own ball and were pushed backwards in the scrums. This combined with a series of penalty awards meant that the majority of the half was played in the Hornet's half. The deadlock was finally broken with fifteen minutes to go, when Roseland kicked a penalty. Newquay responded well, stringing together some sustained possession to enable Lee Pascoe to level the scores from a rare Hornet's Penalty.
However the home side could not keep up their fluency and were pushed back by more strong Roseland play. With five minutes to go the Roseland forwards combined from a tap penalty to cross from close range and complete their victory with a try.
Newquay Hornets Scorer: Penalty, Lee Pascoe
Saltash Youth 10 Newquay Hornets Youth 12
This proved to be a difficult match for the Hornets. Saltash were a better side than when they visited Newquay earlier in the season. Playing with the strong wind in the first half, Hornets struggled to score enough points to post a decent half- time advantage. In fact, against the run of play Saltash returned from their first visit into their visitors’ twenty-two with three points from a penalty. Hornets conceded far too many penalties and this enabled Saltash to protect their line and relieve the pressure. Ed Broom was unlucky to have been judged to have knocked-on over the line, after a good driving maul by the forwards. However midway through the half Hornets scored the best try of the game, another driving maul set up good ball for the backs. They spun it wide to Freddy Cash, who still needed to jink out of two tackles to score wide on the right. Liam Freeman added the extras with a very well struck conversion.
At half time with only a four-point advantage, it was going to be tough for Hornets to hold on to the lead. Matt Cann was put under pressure by several high balls. He coped easily and was able to counter to good effect. Tom Powell’s return certainly improved the lineout and the forwards worked hard to drive into Saltash territory. However Saltash managed to take the lead again after 50 minutes. The Hornets defence, usually sound, was broken and a converted try under the post gave the visitors went 10 -7 up. This prompted Hornets into their best period of the game. The forwards began to compete much better in the rucks and mauls and drove into their opponents half. From a lineout near their twenty-two, Saltash decided to run the ball. Alex Mellor spotted an interception opportunity and scored a try under the post. Having missed the conversion, the last few minutes were tight and Hornets had to keep their discipline as any infringement could have conceded a losing penalty. To their credit they held firm and sneaked a win, that they probably didn't totally deserve.
As usual the back row of Warren Rumble, Jo Wilson and James Alexander worked hard throughout, and Jordan Henwood made several good breaks down the blindside from the base of the scrum.
Next week the Hornets face local rivals St. Austell at the Sports Centre. They will want to build on this performance before facing Camborne in the cup the following week.
Newquay Hornets Scorers: Tries, Freddy Cash, Alex Mellor
Conversion, Liam Freeman
Team: Tom Bradley, Tom Powell, Chesney King, Ed Broom, Dan Hinton, James Alexander, Warren Rumble, Jordan Henwood, Liam Freeman, Tom Summers, Alex Mellor,Tim Robey (Ed Stigle), Freddy Cash, Matt Cann, Jo Wilson, Pat Hoare
Saturday, 15th November 2008
Wadebridge Camels 29 Newquay Hornets 12
Tribute Western Counties West League
Hornets have surely experienced the highs and lows of life in Western Counties West over the last few weeks. The previous week’s high against Bude was followed by a low at Molesworth Field, Wadebridge on Saturday. Camels, keen to erase the memory of their home defeat at the hands of Kingsbridge, scored five tries to two, as they hammered home the reality of life in the higher league to aspiring Hornets.
Hornets kicked off with the wind and had the better of early exchanges. It took Camels just over ten minutes to open the scoring. Full back, Dan Briskham took the ball wide on the left. He ran nearly 50 metres shrugging off would-be tacklers. Camels recycled the ball and wing, Alisdair MacLellan went in for the try on the opposite wing.
Within minutes, Simon Horton intercepted on the Camels’ twenty-two and crossed to put the Hornets level. At the start of the second quarter, Romey Vassell pounced on another Camels mistake. He ran the length of the field to put the Hornets in front. Sam Cullen converted. With half time beckoning, Hornets let Briskham run down the left again and gave away a penalty deep in the twenty-two. From the ensuing lineout, the Camels pack drove over and Richard Treleaven touched down to reduce the lead to 10-12.
From the restart Hornets lead looked fragile; they just couldn’t do very much constructive with what possession they had, as they fought to contain the more physical Camels’ pack. It didn’t take long for cracks to appear. Olly Lock cut through the defence for a try. From then on it was Camels who were in charge. Their back row, with Ian Boyling a real thorn in Hornets’ side, took the ball forward at pace. Despite having a player sent to the sin bin they scored two more tries. First centre, Matt Angwin ran through the defence. Then ten minutes from the end, perhaps the best try of the match followed a forward drive; a lovely run by Angwin set up a touch down for scrum half Shaun Hawkey. Fly half, Leigh Charles converted two of the second half tries.
This result Hornets drops two places to fifth in the table. They have a weekend away from league action. On Saturday they travel to Camborne for a third round tie in the EDF Energy Senior Vase.
Scorers: Newquay Hornets Tries, Simon Horton, Romey Vassell Conversion, Sam Cullen
Wadebridge Camels Tries, Matt Angwin, Shaun Hawkey, Alisdair McLellan, Olly Lock, Richard Treleaven
Conversions Leigh Charles (2)
Newquay Hornets Team: James Bayley, Luke Bazeley (Alex Woodley), Simon Lutey, Stuart Williams (Dan Johns), Andy Burbidge, Nathan Evans, Luke Mansfield, Lee Woodhatch, Jason Caruana, Simon Horton, Romey Vassell, Scott Martin, Jason Keyter, Jon Hyatt (Rob McIntyre), Sam Cullen
Newquay Hornets Seconds 29 Wadebridge Camels Thirds 14
Merit Table East 2
After a disappointing draw at Liskeard last week, Newquay Seconds returned to winning ways at the Sports Centre on Saturday, but again, they were left disappointed by their performance against a spirited Wadebridge team. The Camels side arrived packed with big forwards and successfully imposed their pick and drive tactics on the game from kick off. However Hornets looked dangerous whenever their backs were able to get their hands on the ball and they opened the scoring after ten minutes. Jon Pease profited from a loose Wadebridge kick to beat several would-be tacklers and cross in the corner. Another score followed quickly. Wing, Tom Gelling, playing his last game for the Hornets, was put away to score in the opposite corner. A few minutes later centre, Lee Pascoe was on the end of another fluent move by the Hornet's backs and the referee awarded a penalty try after he adjudged a last ditch tackle to be high just before the line. Fly Half Milo Berkley then scored a fine individual try under the posts to round off the first half scoring. Lee Pascoe converted two of Hornets’ tries.
Although 24 points behind at the break, Wadebridge had enjoyed the bulk of possession and this trend continued into the second period. With Hornets unable to obtain any useful ball, the Camels began to dominate and after a flood of penalties substitute, Paul Martin was sent to the sin bin within minutes of appearing on the pitch. Wadebridge used their advantage to score tries from two and briefly the result seemed in doubt, before Hornets finally secured the ball for a sustained period allowing Pascoe to round off a flowing backs move with a try. Despite further pressure, this was the last score from Wadebridge, leaving Hornets with another Merit Table win. Next Saturday they have another Merit Table fixture at home against Roseland.
Newquay Hornets Scorers Tries, Penalty Try, Milo Berkeley, Tom Gelling, Lee Pascoe, Jon Pease. Conversions, Lee Pascoe (2)
Team: Mark Headland (John Paris), Dan Taylor, Kris Wicketts, Ashley Cotton, Jason Wells (Paul Martin), Matt White (Aaron McPherson), Ben Ambridge (Martin Pearce), Tim Eustice, Lee Ambridge, Milo Berkley, Ashley Mann, Jon Pease, Lee Pascoe, Tom Gelling, Ben Eustice.
Newquay Hornets 3 Redruth 18
Cornwall Youth Cup Pool Match
The Hornets were able to field a full side on Saturday, with several lads returning from long-term injuries. The youngsters played a very courageous game against an older, bigger and more experienced Redruth team. If the visitors thought that they were going to have an easy afternoon, the first five minutes soon dispelled that myth. Redruth’s big pack had no problem pushing the lighter Hornets around, but they were out-manoeuvred and outrun by the nimble Newquay boys. Surprisingly the hardest hitting, crunching tackles came from the Hornets, as they threw everything into keeping the Reds out. Their perseverance paid off in the first half with Redruth only managing one unconverted try. Tom Heayel kicked a penalty for the Hornets before the break.
Changing tactics after the break, Redruth relied on their greater weight at the scrummage and scored two pushover tries. Hornets missed at least four scoring opportunities as the visitors piled on the pressure, and as frustration grew Redruth were awarded a late penalty to complete the scoring.
However Hornets side showed just how dangerous it can be with ball in hand. As availability improves the only way is up!
Newquay Hornets Scorer Penalty, Tom Heayel
Team: James Alexander, Ed Broom, Matt Cann, Freddy Cash, Liam Freeman, Tom Heayel, Jordan Henwood, Dan Hinton, Chesney King, Alex Mellor, Dan Pearce, Tim Robey, Warren Rumble, Ed Stigle, Tom Summers, Ryan Walsh, Joe Wilson
Saturday, 8th November 2008
Newquay Hornets 55 Bude 12
Tribute Western Counties West League
Having lost to the two top sides in the league on consecutive Saturdays, Hornets bounced back against Bude, scoring nine tries. With bad weather fast approaching from the west, Hornets sealed the result in the first 40 minutes with an impressive display of running rugby. They spun the ball at every opportunity, capitalised on their visitors’ mistakes and scored six tries to be 36-7 ahead at the break. New boy Adam Rainey, on the right wing, showed pace and excellent support play in scoring two of the tries. The others came from Rob McIntyre, Lee Woodhatch, back from injury, Simon Horton and captain Stuart Williams, also back from injury. Scrum half, Sam Cullen converted three of the tries. Bude’s only response came from a penalty try, given at a maul on the Hornets’ line, just before the interval. Fly half, Matt Trewin converted.
The rain arrived and the wind freshened after the restart, but the Hornets still threw the ball around. A break by centre, Andy Dixon created the opening for the backs to send in Dan Johns for a try two minutes after the restart. Dixon scythed through for a try himself on 55 minutes. With conditions worsening, mistakes were creeping into the play of both sides. Bude kept the ball tight and preferred the mauling game and Hornets found it difficult to maintain their first half momentum. The pace of Romey Vassell made Hornets’ last try. He caught a long Bude drop out on his own 10-metre line to run through the defence and feed James Ingle for the touch down. Sam Cullen converted two of the three second half tries. In the last quarter the Bude pack continued to drive the ball at the home side. They got their reward when they mauled over the line for flanker, Dave Uglow to get the try.
This win puts Hornets into third place in the league, behind Cullompton and Kingsbridge. It sets up another nail-biter. They make the trip to Molesworth Field, Wadebridge on Saturday for the local derby against the Camels. Camels, who share ten points with Hornets and Ivybridge, are in fifth place on points’ difference.
Scorers: Newquay Hornets Tries, Adam Rainey (2), Andy Dixon, Simon Horton, James Ingle, Dan Johns, Rob McIntyre, Stuart Williams, Lee Woodhatch Conversions, Sam Cullen (5)
Bude Tries, Dave Uglow, Penalty Try Conversion, Matt Trewin
Newquay Hornets Team: James Bayley, Luke Bazeley (Dan Taylor), Alex Woodley, Dan Johns, Andy Burbidge, Luke Mansfield, Lee Woodhatch, Stuart Williams (Jason Wells), Sam Cullen, Simon Horton, Adam Rainey, Andy Dixon, Romey Vassell, Rob McIntyre (Jon Hyatt), James Ingle
Liskeard-Looe Seconds 14 Newquay Hornets Seconds 14
Merit Table Division Two East
The Hornets travelled to Lux Park, Liskeard on the back of a string of big wins against Merit Table opposition and a good win against Cullompton’s second string the week before. However in heavy conditions and with a team depleted by unavailability and first fifteen calls, despite their disappointment, they had to be content with a hard-fought draw.
Liskeard-Looe took the game to Hornets from the kick off. Their powerful forwards, focusing their efforts more effectively than the Hornets, allowed their backs to score a converted try from close range.
Much of the remainder of the half was a scrappy affair, but before half time the home side scored another try through their no. 8. Hornets still had time to hit back before the interval. Some smart handling on the left allowed Lee Ambridge to set up Anthony White, who galloped home from 25 metres.
7-14 down at the restart, Hornets resumed in much brighter fashion. Unfortunately, in the heavy conditions, they couldn’t find the final passes to make the most of breaks by John Pease and Ashley Underhill. It was ten minutes from time when they made the pressure tell. From a penalty Mark Headland and the impressive Ben Ambridge were both stopped short of the line before Paul Martin barged his way over in the corner. Lee Pascoe coolly slotted the conversion to level the scores.
Newquay Hornets’ Scorers: Tries, Paul Martin, Anthony White. Conversions, Lee Pascoe (2)
Team: Mark Headland (captain), Tom Gelling, Tyrone James, Simon Barnes, Paul Martin, Matt White, Lee Ambridge, Milo Berkeley, Ashley Underhill, John Pease, Lee Pascoe, Ben Eustice, Aaron McPherson, Martin Pearce
Newquay Hornets Youth 19 Truro Youth 26
Cornwall Youth Cup Pool Match
The young Hornets found themselves victims of their own success, when they were only able to muster eleven players for this fixture.
Apart from five players still carrying injuries, two were called to play for Hornets first team and a further three were involved in a Southwest match in Wales.
Reluctantly the lads had to concede the points as this was a cup pool match, but true to Hornets’ spirit, they were up for a game against the twenty-strong Truro squad.
Jordan Henwood wasted no time in getting the play under way. Receiving a pass from Tom Summers as they sprinted up the pitch, he swerved around a group of Truro players and threw himself over the line for a try. Dan Pierce was lucky to find a lull in the fierce wind to convert the try. Truro had a battle on their hands to draw level. Strongly contested scrums and a solid Hornets’ defence kept them close to their line for ten minutes. The Newquay boys were all fired up for their next try and when Bulldog Broom and Joe Wilson made a hole in the Truro line, Chesney King seized his chance. However a Truro player, who was hanging round his neck, impeded his progress. As Tom Powell went to his aid a bit of a fracas broke out when all the Truro squad piled in from the touchline. The referee soon quelled the high spirits. Unfortunately for Hornets, the Truro side immediately scored a try putting them ahead.
With half time looming and dark clouds gathering, Tim Robey fed James Alexander just inside the Truro twenty-two. Alexander easily outran the Truro defence for the try.
The score remained at 12-12 fro most of the second period. However there was a trio of converted tries in the last few minutes. Truro went ahead, then Jordan Henwood aided by Warren Rumble and Tom Bradley drove over for the Hornets. Dan Pearce’s trusty right boot put over the conversion. The heavens opened at the end and Truro had the last word, scoring the winning try right at the final whistle.
Newquay Hornets Scorers: Tries, Jordan Henwood (2), James Alexander
Conversions, Dan Pearce (2)
Team: James Alexander, Tom Bradley, Ed Broom, Jordan Henwood, Chesney King, Dan Pearce, Tom Powell, Tim Robey, Warren Rumble, Tom Summers, Joe Wilson
Saturday, 1st November 2008
Newquay Hornets 22 Cullompton 23
Tribute Western Counties West League
Spectators were treated to a nail-biting encounter at the Sports Centre in which the lead changed four times. League leaders, Cullompton came to Newquay unbeaten this season. They went home having kept their record intact by the narrowest of margins. Hornets, who had not lost a league match at the Sports Centre since the beginning of last season, looked in serious trouble in the early stages. Cullompton started at the gallop. They spun the ball to their quick men out wide, and were in charge for the first 15 minutes. However, against the run of play, Hornets’ first foray into their visitors’ territory produced a penalty, kicked by Sam Cullen. Strong running full back Marcus Busch put Cully ahead with a well taken try a few minutes later; Ross Toms converted. Two Cully forwards were sent to the sin-bin and on the half hour Cullen put over another penalty for Hornets. The Hornets pack, with the front row of Simon Lutey, Luke Bazeley and James Bayley really getting stuck in, were beginning to get to grips with their opposite numbers; and only minutes before half time scrum half, Jason Caruana snapped up the ball and went over from a maul near the line to put Hornets 11-7 in front. Then, crucially, Hornets lost concentration and gave away ball in their own twenty-two and wing, Mark Laskey went over at the corner for Cully.
12-11 up at the restart Cully drove at the Hornets down the right and Laskey got his second try, again at the corner. Hornets responded immediately. The forwards drove into Cully territory and the ball was spun out to wing, Rob McIntyre, who got the try. With just a point in it, it was time for Hornets to lose two forwards to the bin in quick succession and Toms extended the visitors’ lead with a penalty. But Hornets just wouldn’t lie down and on 70 minutes Cullen put over an excellent long-range penalty and then within two minutes he kicked another, to put Hornets ahead again. Cullompton responded and exerted relentless pressure. After the Hornets’ backs were caught offside in front of the posts, Toms restored Cully’s lead with his second penalty. Cully then continued to threatened the Hornets line for ten minutes, but the home defence held and at the end it was Hornets on the offensive.
Hornets’ Team Manager, Steve Bazeley was very proud of the side and the effort they put in. “They all stepped up and gave it all they had”. He applauded the leadership of stand-in skipper, Simon Lutey, and the debut performances of Ashley Cotton and Nathan Evans.
Scorers: Newquay Hornets Tries, Jason Caruana, Rob McIntyre
Penalties, Sam Cullen (4)
Cullompton Tries, Mark Laskey (2), Marcus Busch
Conversion, Ross Toms
Penalties, Ross Toms (2)
Newquay Hornets Team: James Bayley, Luke Bazeley, Simon Lutey, Dan Johns, Ashley Cotton (Ross Robins), Luke Mansfield, Nathan Evans, Tim Eustice, Jason Caruana, Simon Horton, James Ingle, Andy Dixon, Jon Hyatt, Rob McIntyre, Sam Cullen
Next Saturday the Hornets have another home fixture. They play Bude in the league at the Sports Centre. Kick off is at 2:30pm.
Newquay Hornets Seconds 25 Cullompton Seconds 8
While their chiefs were slugging it out on another pitch, the second strings gave a good account of themselves. For the first time this season the Hornets’ team management was delighted to be able to put out a starting fifteen, all of who had trained in the previous week.
Cullompton got away to a flying start and had scored a try and kicked a penalty in the first eight minutes, before the Hornets had woken up. However, once the Hornets forwards came out of their slumber a home win was inevitable. With the half back combination of Lee Ambridge and Milo Berkeley again running the show, prolific try scorer, John Pease ran in for the first Hornets try after twenty minutes and before half time flanker, Ben Ambridge and wing, Adam Rainey had extended the Hornets lead.
15-8 up at the interval, Hornets continued to have the best of the encounter and Ben Ambridge and Adam Rainey both grabbed a second try before the end.
Scorers: Newquay Hornets Tries, Ben Ambridge (2), Adam Rainey (2), John Pease
Newquay Hornets Team: Mark Headland (captain), Dan Taylor (Tyrone James), Kris Wicketts, Simon Barnes (Warren Barber), Jason Wells (Martin Pearce), Anthony White (Lewis Bownes), Ben Ambridge, Scott Trayner (Dan Taylor), Lee Ambridge (Ryan Johns), Milo Berkeley, Ashley Mann (Ashley Underhill), Matt Cross (Ashley Mann), John Pease, Adam Rainey, Ben Eustice
Newquay Hornets Seconds 25 Cullompton Seconds 8
Saturday, 25th October 2008
Kingsbridge 36 Newquay Hornets 9
Tribute Western Counties West League
Hornets travelled to Kingsbridge for a crucial second versus third league encounter on Saturday without several first choice players. The home side was smarting after an unexpected exit from the EDF Energy Senior Vase at the hands of Tavistock on the previous Saturday. This time it was the Hornets who suffered a gruelling afternoon as they shipped six tries without response. They just couldn’t find their continuity, they gave away far too much ball and they couldn’t match the pace and support play of the home fifteen, who scored three tries in each half.
Kingsbridge missed an early penalty and it was the Hornets who went ahead through a Sam Cullen penalty after 15 minutes. However, within minutes Kingsbridge’s Andy Nicol came off his wing to take the ball through midfield and make a try for centre, Ben Glover. Hornets responded with another penalty from Cullen after they had threatened the Kingsbridge line without success.
From the restart Hornets let the ball go loose and the sharp home forwards pounced on it to give Andy Nicol a try wide out. With their clearance kicks not going to touch, the Hornets had to defend against ball being run back at them. They were punished when livewire scrum half, Tristan Couch, who proved a handful for the Hornets back row all afternoon, finished off an incisive Kingsbridge attack. Fly half, Greg Newman converted.
17-6 down at the interval, Hornets were on the back foot for 15 minutes and the loss of Andy Burbidge, before the break had put their lineout under pressure. However they came back with concerted pressure. Again, the try eluded them and they had to settle for three points from the boot of Cullen. A spirited break by scrum half, Jason Caruana and a fine run from Steve Potter, just couldn’t find finishing touches; and it was the Kingsbridge forwards who finally destroyed what hope Hornets might have had in the last quarter. Impressive No. 8, Matt Hamilton took a ball on the burst from Newman to go over by the posts. Then capped a fine display when he finished an excellent passage of handling by forwards and backs to score his second try. In injury time, Hornets’ inability to clear to touch under severe pressure near their line, gave the home side a final opportunity to run at them and second row, Andrew Rossiter got the try. Newman converted two of the second half tries.
Hornets drop two places to fourth as a result of this defeat and Wadebridge Camels’ 3-12 away win at Camborne. They have only a few days to regroup before they take on league leaders Cullompton at the Sports Centre on Saturday. Kick off will be at 2:30pm. The Club invites all its Vice Presidents to a complimentary lunch before the match, from 12:30pm, at the Sports Centre.
Scorers: Kingsbridge: Tries Hamilton (2), Couch, Glover, Nicol, Rossiter
Conversions Newman (3)
Newquay Hornets
Penalties Cullen (3)
Team: Alex Bazeley, Dan Taylor, Alex Woodley, Andy Burbidge (James Bayley), Ross Robins, Scott Trayner (Scott Martin), Steve Potter, Luke Mansfield, Jason Caruana, Simon Horton, James Ingle (Ashley Mann), Tom Bazeley, Jon Hyatt, Rob McIntyre, Sam Cullen
The Hornets Youth XV also travelled to Kingsbridge on Saturday. They too returned home having been on the receiving end of big loss. After their 43-0 defeat, manager Nigel Eustice praised the eleven members who had turned out and commented, “They gave it one hundred percent”.
Newquay Hornets Seconds 64 Perranporth Seconds 5
Cornwall Merit Table
The Hornets Seconds put up another cricket score when they took on local rivals Perranporth in the Merit Table at the Sports Centre on Saturday. The home side ran in ten tries. Centre, John Pease got a hat trick and Andrew Dixon and Ashley Underhill two apiece, Matt Cross, Aaron McPherson and Jason Wells bagged one each, Russell Milsom converted seven.
Scorers: Tries; John Pease (3), Andrew Dixon (2), Ashley Underhill (2), Matt Cross, Aaron McPherson, Jason Wells
Conversions; Russell Milsom (7)
Team: Mark Headland (captain), Simon Barnes, John Hall, Ashley Cotton (Paul Martin), Aaron McPherson (Anthony Whyte), Anthony White, Jason Wells, Ben Ambridge (Martin Pearce), Lee Ambridge, Andrew Dixon (Tom Heayel), Ashely Underhill (Steve Benney), Russell Milsom (Mark Hill), John Pease, Matt Cross, Ben Eustice
Saturday, 18th October 2008
Tiverton 12 Newquay Hornets 26
EDF Energy Senior Vase, 2nd Round
Having beaten their Devon opponents 34-5 at the Sports Centre in September, Hornets travelled to Coronation Field on Saturday to take on a side still struggling to find the form of the last few seasons. Hornets themselves struggled to find the form they had produced the week before against Camborne, as they got sucked into an unproductive, forward dominated mauling game in the first forty minutes.
After the interval it was Tiverton who broke the deadlock. After five minutes of the half, wing Ian Branton ran in for a try. The half time team-talk from Hornets’ coach, Kevin Moseley must have had an effect, because from then on it was all Hornets as they started to run the ball at the home defence. First wing James Ingle levelled the scores. He finished off a move when the ball was spun out along the line. On the other wing, Romey Vassell showed real strength when he powered his way over for his side’s second try. Then Ingle intercepted in his own half to outrun the home defence for his second try. The Hornets’ final try came from young No. 8, Luke Mansfield. He picked himself up off the floor to take advantage of a loose ball and run 50 metres for a try to cap another excellent performance.
Sam Cullen converted three of his side’s tries.
Ten minutes from the end Tiverton’s other wing, Barney Bell found space out wide to notch his side’s second try. Jimmy Atkins converted.
Next week Hornets are back in league action. They are on their travels again; this time to Kingsbridge, who are breathing down their necks in Tribute Western Counties West.
Scorers:
Tiverton:
Tries: Barney Bell, Ian Branton. Conversion: Jimmy Atkins
Newquay Hornets:
Tries: James Ingle (2), Luke Mansfield, Romey Vassell. Conversions: Sam Cullen (3)
Team: Alex Bazeley, Luke Bazeley, Simon Lutey (Alex Woodley), Andy Burbidge, Scott Trayner (Tom Bazeley), Anthony White (Dan Taylor), Steve Potter, Luke Mansfield (Scott Trayner), Jason Caruana, Simon Horton, James Ingle (Adam Rainey), Scott Martin, Jason Keyter (Captain), Romey Vassell, Sam Cullen
Newquay Hornets Seconds 81 Lankelly-Fowey 10
Lankelly-Fowey must have wondered what had hit them as Hornets Seconds scored thirteen tries in a Merit Table romp at the Sports Centre on Saturday. To their credit the visitors competed throughout to make a match of it and scored a try of their own in each half. Had it not been for a scoreless ten-minute period after half time, the home side could have made it a century.
The Hornets pack, with the rampaging Paul Martin prominent, took control early on and set up some lovely ball for the impressive halfback pairing of Lee Ambridge and Milo Berkeley to exploit. With pace out wide, Hornets scored nine of their tries before half time. Tim Eustice scored one from No. 8 and made one for his back row partner, Ben Ambridge. Centre John Pease got two, wing Mark Hill got one and made his captain, Mark Headland’s backing up worthwhile when he gave him a try between the posts. The others went to Paul Martin, Milo Berkeley and Ashley Mann. Mann ran well throughout and was prominent in attack and defence. Andrew Dixon converted four of the tries, and Lee Ambridge one, to complete the 55-5 interval score line.
Inevitably half time Hornets’ substitutes took time to fit into the side and the pace of the game slowed for a while. It was Tim Eustice who got the Hornets score moving again with his second try. And after the visitors had got their second try, he added his third. The speedy Mike Cash added Hornets twelfth try down the left and second row, Jason Wells was rewarded for his afternoon’s work with the last try of the match. Russell Milsom, on for Andy Dixon, converted three of the second half tries.
On Saturday the Hornets Seconds play another Merit Table fixture at the Sports Centre against local rivals Perranporth.
Newquay Hornets Scorers:
Tries: Tim Eustice (3), John Pease (2), Ben Ambridge, Milo Berkeley, Mike Cash, Mark Headland, Mark Hill, Ashley Mann, Paul Martin, Jason Wells
Conversions: Andrew Dixon (4), Russell Milsom (3), Lee Ambridge
Newquay Hornets Youth 29 Saltash 15
Another sunny afternoon welcomed the Saltash visitors to Newquay, but a brisk, chilly wind blowing across the Glamis Road pitch set the pace of the game. Tom Summers was the first to score a try after receiving the ball from a lineout ten yards out. Saltash responded with two quick tries, causing Hornets to close ranks and start applying the pressure.
Even though Saltash had the heavier pack, Newquay had the scrums and rucks going their way. Newquay were rewarded a penalty after Saltash killed the ball at a ruck and Tom Heayel sent the ball straight between the posts. Shortly afterwards, a well timed pass from Liam Freeman saw Alex Mellor swerve in-field side, step a tackle and dive over for a try. Tom Heayel converted to give Hornets a 15-10 half-time lead.
The Saltash full back made a break with the try line in his sights. He looked to have scored, but Saltash merriment was short-lived when it was revealed that Hornets’ James Alexander was lying at the bottom of the heap with his hand under the ball.
At the restart, Hornets’ Dan Pearce scored a cracking try. Running from half way, he sold a couple of dummies before turning on the gas and showing a clean pair of heals to the Saltash defence. Then Tim Robey stole the ball from the Saltash full back to score another try. Tom Heayel converted both tries.
Warren Rumble at No. 8 put in some excellent tackles to frustrate late Saltash attacks.
Newquay Hornets Scorers: Tries Alex Mellor, Dan Pearce, Tim Robey, Tom Summers
Conversions Tom Heayel (3)
Penalty Tom Heayel
Team: James Alexander, Tom Bradley, Ed Broom, Matt Cann, Freddy Cash, Liam Freeman, Tom Heayel, Martin Hocking, Chesney king, Matt Mckenna, Alex Mellor, Dan Pearce, Tom Powell, Tim Robey, Warren Rumble, Tom Summers
Saturday 11th October 2008
Newquay Hornets 22 Camborne 12
Tribute Western Counties West
An old rivalry was rekindled at the Sports Centre on Saturday. In the warm autumn sunshine Hornets took the honours in the first league match ever played between the two clubs. Indeed with the exception of cup matches, it was the first competitive match between the clubs for over twenty years. It lived up to expectations. The crowd was treated to an excellent game of rugby between two very committed sides.
Camborne started brightly and pinned the Hornets into their own half for the first ten minutes. Hornets’ defence held firm and they moved into Camborne territory showing excellent support play, but they just couldn’t finish. Finally at the end of the first quarter, ball against the head gave No.8 Stuart Williams the opportunity set up the move that put centre, Scott Martin over near the posts. Full back, Sam Cullen converted.
Camborne remained sharp and took advantage of their only two chances of the half to go into the break ahead. Both tries came from astute kicking. First Hornets took too long to clear a ball bouncing awkwardly in their twenty-two and when it was run back at them, centre Alex Hinds broke through to touch down. Fly half, David Mankee converted. Then winger, Adam Notman took a kick over the defence in his stride to outpace the home defence for a try wide on the right.
Turning around 7-12 in arrears, Hornets then bossed the second half. They kept Camborne in their own half for the whole of the third quarter, putting them under severe pressure. But it wasn’t until 60 minutes that fly half, Simon Horton took advantage of quick ruck ball to run through the visitors’ defence. Cullen converted. Five minutes later second row, Andy Burbidge was on the end of a flowing Hornets’ move to go over in the right-hand corner. Camborne were finding it more and more difficult to break through the aggressive home defence in which Steve Potter worked like a trojan. They made several forays, but could not sustain their attacks in the face of fierce Hornets’ tackling. With quarter of an hour remaining, Hornets brought on substitutes, Scott Trayner (for Williams), Jon Hyatt (for Vassell) and debutant, Alex Woodley (for Kris Wicketts). They continued to press and dominate territory, running the ball at their visitors, but they just couldn’t find the extra few metres. Both Martin and Hyatt went close before Sam Cullen kicked the penalty that finally put Hornets out of reach.
There’s a déjà vu look about the league table after Saturday’s matches, with Hornets second to Cullompton again after the Devon side beat Kingsbridge 29-13. Hornets visit Kingsbridge on 25th October. Next Saturday Hornets travel to Tiverton to play their second round fixture in the EDF Energy Senior Vase.
Scorers:
Newquay Hornets
Tries: Scott Martin (18 minutes), Simon Horton (60 minutes), Andy Burbidge (65 minnutes)
Conversions: Sam Cullen (2)
Penalty: Sam Cullen (75 minutes)
Camborne
Tries: Alex Hinds (22 minutes), Adam Notman (40 minutes)
Conversion: David Mankee
Team: Kris Wicketts (Alex Woodley), Luke Bazeley, Simon Lutey, Ross Robins, Andy Burbidge, Stuart Williams (Captain) (Scott Trayner), Steve Potter, Luke Mansfield, Jason Caruana, Simon Horton, James Ingle, Scott Martin, Jason Keyter, Romey Vassell (Jon Hyatt), Sam Cullen
Falmouth Youth 39 Newquay Hornets Youth 19
Despite losing this game by twenty points, the Hornets can take a great deal of credit. With eleven players unavailable through injury and holidays, Newquay only had fifteen players (including Will Dow who was making his club debut). Falmouth started very strongly and scored in the first minute after a neat cross-field kick was touched down in the corner. After a period of pressure in Falmouth’s twenty-two the Hornets were awarded a scrum, from which Dan Pearce broke through the defence to score one of his trademark tries. He beat three men from distance. Tom Heayel added the extras to give the Hornets an unlikely 7-5 lead. Midway through the half Falmouth’s much taller and heavier pack caught the ball in the lineout and drove over from twenty yards to regain the lead.
The second half began with Falmouth making several changes. This proved very effective, as the Hornets were tiring in the heat. Falmouth reeled off four tries in succession (one converted) in the first twenty minutes of the second half and it looked as though the Hornets would collapse. Strangely, the Hornets recovered and produced their best rugby of the game. In the 60th minute Dan Pearce scored a virtual carbon copy of his first try, but this time from 30 metres. Then in the dying seconds Ryan De- La Hunty raced in from even further out beating several tacklers on the way. Heayel converted to complete the scoring with an excellent strike from the touchline. In between the Hornets last two tries Falmouth nicked one of their own.
There were many plus points for the Hornets, not least Will Dow’s performance at scrum half. Hopefully he will quickly recover from the bad ankle injury, which saw him taken off in the closing minutes. The front row worked hard and Chesney King made several strong runs that unsettled the Falmouth defence. Dan Hinton, back in the second row, put in a great deal of effort, as did the back row trio of James Alexander, Dan Reynolds and Warren Rumble. The backs always looked dangerous and if given quality ball will pose problems for any defence. The commitment of the squad was much better than in previous weeks and with more players available, it can look forward to the rest of the season.
Scorers: Newquay Hornets
Tries: Dan Pearce (2), Ryan De-La Hunty
Conversions: Tom Heayel (2)
Team: Chesney King, Tom Powell, Ed Broom, Martin Hocking, Dan Hinton, Dan Reynolds, James Alexander, Warren Rumble, Will Dow, Tom Heayel (Captain), Ryan De-la Hunty, Dan Pearce, Alex Mellor, Ed Stigle, Matt Cann
Saturday, 4th October 2008
Withycombe 16 Newquay Hornets 36
Tribute Western Counties West
Having slipped up in the sun a fortnight before at Hutton Moor, Weston-Super-Mare on their last away trip, the Hornets were in no mood to repeat the experience in the wind and rain at Raleigh Park, Exmouth on Saturday. Without a win previously, Withycombe struggled to cope with the abrasive tackling of the Hornets back row of Mansfield, Potter and Woodhatch and the pace of the Hornets back division, who supplied four of their side’s five tries. Simon Horton, in at fly half had a good day with the boot, he converted four of the five tries and kicked a second half penalty. The Hornets squandered splendid early possession and field position having driven the home side back to their own line. However James Ingle came close down the left before Horton opened his account with Hornets’ first try, coasting through a gap in midfield, after Withy had gone ahead with a penalty from Ben Scott.
Withy pressed deep into the Hornets twenty-two, only for Rob McIntyre to scoot off down his wing to give Jason Caruana a run in from forty metres. Then Hornets got their continuity going and put several phases together. On the final phase, Rob McIntyre was on hand to supply an inside pass to full back Romey Vassell, who fell over the line for the points.
Turning around at 19-3 up, Hornets contrived to let Withy back in for a try when their pack drove Sam Bray over. Horton steadied Hornets with a penalty on 50 minutes and Darren Pugsley replied with three points for Withy. The home fifteen had got the bit between their teeth and Hornets took time to raise their game. It was the sheer pace of Vassell that made it safe for Hornets. The young full back fielded a Withy kick out of defence in midfield on his own ten-metre line. He put on the after-burners to rocket through the home defence. Then within two minutes, determined running in the centre from Scott Martin set up the position from which Man of the Match, young No. 8, Luke Mansfield broke through the home defence to touch down under the posts. Five minutes before the end Withy got their ruck and maul game going again to put scrum half, Matt Abbot in for their second try. With two minutes remaining on the clock and after two Withy players went down with injuries the referee blew full time.
Hornets team manager, Steve Bazeley was delighted with the way the new front row performed against a big Withy pack. He was pleased with the outcome given the level of injury and unavailability in the squad. And he added, “We know we can play better”.
Scorers:
Withycombe
Tries: Abbot, Bray
Penalties: Pugsley, Scott
Newquay Hornets
Tries: Romey Vassell (2), Jason Caruana, Simon Horton, Luke Mansfield
Conversions: Simon Horton (4)
Penalty: Simon Horton
Team: Kris Wicketts (Anthony White, 75), Dan Taylor, Simon Lutey, Ross Robins, Andy Burbidge, Lee Woodhatch, Steve Potter, Luke Mansfield (Scott Trayner, 70), Jason Caruana (Sam Cullen, 75), Simon Horton, James Ingle, Tom Bazeley, Scott Martin, Rob McIntyre, Romey Vassell
Next Saturday Hornets renew their rivalry with old Cornish foes, Camborne in a league fixture at Newquay Sports Centre. Kick off is at 3:00pm. All sponsors are cordially invited to a complimentary lunch at Newquay Sports Centre from 12:30pm. Hornets Seconds are away to Camborne Seconds.
Saturday 27th September 2008
Newquay Hornets 34 v Tiverton 5
Tribute Western Counties West
Newquay Hornets made it two wins from three outings in the league and
extended a proud home record in what ended up being a very
comfortable league victory, out scoring Tiverton 6 tries to 1.
At a sun drenched Sports Centre the home sides performance almost
matched the conditions as they proved too hot for Devon's oldest
rugby club. Bright attacking play from both Newquay wingers led to a
brace a piece for James Ingle and Rob McIntyre.
In truth Newquay dominated territory and possession and provided the
lions share of the action, but paid the penalty for not finishing
scoring opportunities early on when they went behind after 15
minutes. From an attacking position Newquay found themselves having
to scramble the defence after a series of errors but were penalised
for offside. Tiverton opted for the corner and scored from the
resulting catch a drive.
Newquay stuck to their task and continued to threaten but could not
quite find the right execution when it mattered. It took a bit of
quick thinking from centre Marc Richards to put Newquay on the score
board when he took a quick tap penalty, as the visitors retreated,
and coasted over with ease. With the conversion missed it was locked
at five a piece.
Newquay took the lead 5 minutes before the break when Ingle dealt
with a poor kick, quickly going onto the attacked, fed the ball to
Romey Vassell who opened the defence before the ball found it's way
back to Ingle wide out to score the try.
Newquay's nerves were eased shortly after the break when McIntyre
added his first try of the afternoon to take a 15-5 lead. With the
game now running away from Tiverton it threatened to boil over after
a nasty incident with Lee Woodhatch just on half time. Cornish
Society referee, Austin Chapman, took a firm control and gave Steve
Potter and the visiting second row a chance to cool down with ten
minutes in the sin bin.
Ross Robbins capped a fine game with a try after some powerful
forward play and Sammy Cullen was on hand with his first conversion
of the afternoon.
Newquay lost their centre partners of Richards and Jason Keyter mid
way through the half but were able to re-organise comfortably
allowing Ingle and McIntyre to complete the scoring as they both
bagged their brace. Cullen converted one for a great 34-5 win.
In the forwards Luke Mansfield slotted in at No. 8 for his first
league start for the club and enjoyed a fine game, highly evident
around the field all afternoon.
Next week the first XV travel to Withycombe to continue their league
campaign.
Team
R. Vassell , R. McIntyre, M. Richards (S. Horton 60mins), J. Keyter
(D. Taylor 60 mins), J. Ingle, S. Cullen, J. Caruana, K. Wickets, L.
Bazelely, S. Lutey, S. Williams (Capt) (L. Woodhatch 70 mins), R.
Robins, L. Woodhatch (S. Trainer), S. Potter, L. Mansfield
Scorers:
Try: J. Ingle 2, R. McIntyre 2, R. Robbins, M. Richards - Cons: S.
Cullen 2
Saturday 27th September 2008
St Austell Seconds 5 Newquay Hornets Seconds 29
The Hornets second string kept up their 100 percent record at St Austell on Saturday. They ran in five tries in an excellent win. There was a brace of tries for two fast men, Matt Cross and Adam Rayner. Experienced No 8 Tim Eustice got another and and Lee Pascoe honed his kicking skills with two conversions.
Scorers:
Tries: Matt Cross (2), Adam Rayner (2),Tim Eustice
Conversions: Lee Pascoe (2)
Team: Mark Headland Capt, Lewis Bowns, Julian Tyson( Matt Cross), Ben Ambridge, Ashley Cotton
Jason Wells (Martin Pearce), Antony White, Tim Eustice, Martin Dingle, Lee Pascoe, Ashley Mann, John Hyatt, John Pease, Adam Rayner, Ben Eustice (Mark Hill)
Newquay Hornets Youth 51 Liskeard Looe Youth 0
The Hornets young guns showed all their attacking firepower, the backs scoring eight of the nine tries, in this one-sided affair. On a hot sunny day it took the Hornets time to settle into their stride. However when they took control the result was never in doubt. They opened the scoring in the 12th minute after the pack secured controlled possession. Quick hands along the line allowed Matt Cann to enter the line from fullback and score a cracking try. It took until the 25th minute for Newquay to extend their lead. Another good lineout supplied quick ball to the backs and they gave Dan Pearce the opening to beat three defenders from 30 yards and score near the corner. Five minutes later, from the other side of the pitch, another excellent lineout and neat passing saw Cann break through for his second score of the match. Tom Heayel added the extras to make the halftime score 17-0.
Soon after the restart Tom Powell was unlucky to be sent to the sin bin after a fracas with a Liskeard player. Tom Summers switched from wing to hooker and continued the good work in the front row. It took 10 minutes for the Hornets to score the first try of the second half. After second phase ball, good handling from the backs and another break by Pearce saw Alex Mellor finish of near the corner. Heayel added the extras from distance. Soon after Cann( who was now playing in the second row) was the first to react when the ball popped out of the scrum and he raced over from 20 metres to score his hat trick try ( his second hat trick in two matches). Only two minutes later Freddy Cash dived on a loose ball to secure possession, the forwards drove down the blindside giving Ed “the Bull” Broom the chance to score. Then came the Jordan Henwood show, as he scored a hat trick in the last 10 minutes. His first was after a sound scrum on the Hornets 10 metre line. It saw him break down the blindside to score from 50 metres, Heayel added the extras. Next the Hornets pack put Liskeard under pressure at a scrummage and Henwood pounced to touch down as the ball spilled out of the back. He completed the scoring when, after chasing a penalty kick, he touched down in the corner.
All in all it was a much better performance than in their previous two fixtures. Matt McKenna performed well playing at second row. The forwards showed excellent mobility, with Warren Rumble, Jo Wilson and Tim Robey conspicuous. The backs always looked dangerous, with Henwood ( Man of the Match ) and Tom Heayel (Capt.) leading by example, they allowed the pace of those outside to inflict damage on Liskeard. Next up is a difficult fixture at Wadebridge in the cup, the Newquay lads will need to be more organised in defence and produce better rucking, in order to maintain their winning run.
Tries: Matt Cann 3, Jordan Henwood 3, Ed Broom, Dan Pearce, Alex Mellor
Conversions: Tom Heayel 3
Team: Ed Broom, Tom Powell, Tom Bradley, Matt McKenna, Warren Rumble, Tim Robey, James Alexander, Jo Wilson, Jordan Henwood, Tom Heayel, Ed Stigle, Dan Pearce, Ryan De La Hunty, Jordan Welch, Matt Cann, Replacements used: Martin Hocking, Tom Summers, Freddy Cash, Alex Mellor
Saturday, 20th September 2008
Hornets 19 Newquay Hornets 13
Tribute Western Counties West
In the battle of the Hornets at Hutton Moor, Weston-Super-Mare on Saturday, Newquay succumbed in the cruellest way. Having led their opponents for three-quarters of the match they gave away a try in the dying seconds of injury time.
Newquay threatened to take the match away from Hornets in the first half. Scum half, Jason Caruana was sending out some lovely ball to Sam Cullen and Jason Keyter was orchestrating things in the centre to put full back, James Ingle on several probing runs wide out.
Against the run of play, Hornets No. 8 Chris Disney was let in for a soft try after twenty minutes to put his side five points up.
For all their promise, only Keyter and Caruana could cross the Hornets line, so the visitors were only 10-5 up at the break.
Soon after the restart, Cullen slotted a penalty for Newquay to extend their lead to eight points.
Hornets never gave up and as injuries disrupted Newquay’s set piece, they smelt an opportunity. They made Newquay pay for the missed chances of the first half. Newquay were finding it difficult getting the ball away from the base of the scrum and Hornets were getting their hands on the ball more frequently. On the hour, sustained home pressure saw Ian Marshall go over on the blind side for a try. Sam Lloyd Jones converted to bring the scores to within a point at 12-13.
Near the end of normal time after good Newquay inter-passing Jason Caruana was held up over the Hornets line. Into injury time Newquay were still pressing in the Hornets half. However three late infringements from Newquay released the pressure on Hornets and they took full advantage. They got back in to the visitors’ half and they broke Newquay hearts when they found a gap down the right in the tenth minute of added time to put Jordan Kingman away for the decisive try. The conversion from Lloyd Jones was academic; it was the last kick of the match.
Scorers: Newquay Hornets Tries: Caruana, Keyter
Penalty: Cullen
Hornets Tries: Disney, Kingman Marshall
Conversions: Lloyd Jones (2)
Team: James Bayley (Kris Wicketts), Luke Bazeley, Alex Bazeley, Andy Burbidge, Ross Robins, Steve Potter (Matt Orton), Lee Woodhatch, Stuart Williams (Captain) (Luke Mansfield), Jason Caruana, Sam Cullen, James Ingle, Tom Bazeley, Jason Keyter, Scott Martin, James Ingle
The Hornets play the second home league fixture of the season against Tiverton at the Sports Centre on Saturday. Kick off is at 3pm.
The draw for the second round of the EDF Energy Senior Vase was made last week. Hornets will play against next Saturday’s opponents, Tiverton, away in Devon on 18th October 2008
Newquay Hornets Seconds 43 Penryn Seconds 3
Another emphatic win for Hornets’ Seconds in a great match winning start to the season; this time they ran in seven tries at the Sports Centre against Cornish rivals Penryn. For the backs, Jon Pease and Andam Rayner grabbed a couple each and Tim Grainger and Mark Hill one apiece. Second row Ashley Cotton put the forwards on the score sheet. Russell Milson had his kicking boots on to put over four conversions.
Mark Headland (Captain) (Lewis Bowns), Lewis Bowns (Simon Barnes), Julian Tyson, Simon Barnes (Martin Pearce), Ashley Cotton, Jason Wells, Scott Trayner, Tim Eustice, Martin Dingle, Milo Berkeley, Jack Benny, Russell Milson (Mark Hill), John Pease (Matt Cross), Adam Rayner, Lee Pascoe (Tim Grainger)
Scorers: Newquay Hornets: Tries John Pease (2), Adam Rayner (2), Ashley Cotton, Tim Grainger, Mark Hill
Conversions Russell Milson (4)
Saturday, 13th September 2008
Western Counties West
Newquay Hornets 28 v Minehead Barbarians 18
Newquay Hornets entertained Minehead at a sun soaked Sports Centre for their first Western Counties outing in many years.
From the off it appeared that Newquay would have their work cut out this season with Minehead dominating early on and showing good control and plenty of powerful runners in mid field. However, Newquay soon gained possession and showed their own ability. Several phases of controlled rugby allowed the backs to spin the ball along the line to find Romey Vassell on the right wing. Vassell showed his outstanding pace and composure to race down the line, from inside his own half, beating most of the visiting back line before touching down for the opening score. Sam Cullen added the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
Minehead kept to their task and opened their account with a penalty on 11 minutes which was cancelled out by Cullen soon after. Newquay continued to work off the back foot but the well organised defence was holding strong until a speculative hack through could only be touched down for a five metre scrum. Minehead did not squander the opportunity as Martin Cook went over from short range. With the conversion missed Hornets held on to a slender lead but not for long.Missed tackles in the mid filed led to the visitors powerful centre breaking tackles to score a further unconverted try.
Minutes later Cullen add a further penalty to tie the scores at 13 a piece. Just before the break Hornets made a powerful challenge on the visitors line and were just held up short only for Minehead to concede a penalty in front of the posts. A rush of blood saw the Hornets run the ball, only to be knocked on and 3 points went begging.
So it was deadlocked at 13-13 at half time with an expectant crowd wondering whether the league newcomers had all the guns to make an impact at Western Counties level.
For the opening 15 minutes of the second have it was very much stalemate with neither side tacking full control. It took a flash of inspiration from left wing James Ingle. His injection of pace carved a big hole in the visitors defence before feeding Steve Potter close to the line. Minehead nearly dealt with the emergency but Tom Bazeley was on hand to finish the move and add the try. This capped a fine game for "MOTM" Tom as his powerful centre play caused Minehead problems all afternoon.
The Hornets were now well in control of the game, but were struggling to make their superior territory count. The game deteriorated for a while with the visitors questioning almost every decision made by refer Austin Chapman. The Hornets kept plugging away and from a great field position they created an overlap. The ball failed to go to hand but bounced in midfield allowing Rob McIntrye to step the defence as
he picked up before racing over for the try. Cullen added the extra to put the Home side safely in the lead.
Minehead managed a consolation try from the front of an attacking line out before losing their cool and having two players sent to the bin. But it was Hornets with the last say as Cullen added a further penalty to complete a great start to their league campaign.
Team
R. Vassell ( S. Horton 38mins) , R. McIntyre, M. Richards, T.
Bazelely, J. Ingle, S. Cullen, J. Caruana, J Bayley, L. Bazelely,
A.Bazeley ( K. Wickets 60 mins), A. Burbidge, R. Robins, L.
Woodhatch, S. Potter, S. Williams (Capt) - Replacement not used - S.
Trayner
Scorers:
Try: R. Vassell, T. Bazeley, R. McIntyre - Cons: S. Cullen 2 -
Penalties: S. Cullen 3
Bodmin Seconds 0 Newquay Hornets Seconds 41
Hornets travelled to Bodmin and proved much too strong for the home side scoring seven tries to nil. Simon Lutey opened the scoring with a try on seven minutes and before half time Mark Turton, Ashley Cotton and Tim Grainger had each added tries. Two tries were converted by Andy Webster to give Hornets a 24-0 interval lead.
After the break Turton and Grainger each added a second try to their tally and wing Ashley Mann made it seven. Webster converted Mann’s try.
Mark Headland (Captain), Dan Taylor, Simon Lutey (Lewis Bowns), Aaron McPherson (Simon Lutey), Ashley Cotton, Mark Turton, Antony White (Scott Martin), Tim Eustice, Martin Dingle, Andy Webster, Tim Granger (Jack Benny), Scott Martin (Tim Grainger), John Pease (Martin Pearce), Ashley Mann, Ben Eustice
Scorers: Newquay Hornets: Tries Tim Grainger (2), Mark Turton (2), Ashely Cotton, Simon Lutey, Ashley Mann
Conversions Andy Webster (3)
Penryn Youth 41 Newquay Hornets Youth 17
This was always going to be a difficult opening fixture for the Hornets – and so it proved. Penryn have been training since early July and had thirty-three players in attendance. This compared to seventeen Hornets, two players, Warren Rumble and Tom Summer, were making their club debut.
Having had their only warm up match cancelled, the Hornets were hit very hard by Penryn from the off. The home side scored two tries under the posts within the first 3 minutes. Both were converted and an impending cricket score looked on the cards. Gradually the Hornets started winning some possession and were rewarded after 20 minutes when Ryan De La Hunty finished off a fine move to score Hornets first try. Unfortunately Penryn responded directly from the re-start after confusion from the receiving players allowed them to score another simple try that made the score 19-5.
The Hornets regrouped again and produced their best period of the match and it looked like they could get right back into the game. Whilst being under considerable pressure in the scrum, the lineouts were working particularly well, with Tom Powell’s accurate throw-ins and the jumpers taking quality ball. This resulted in probably the best try of the match when after securing lineout possession Tim Robey made a superb break through the Penryn defence and chipped the ball forward, Jo Wilson won the chase to score his first try of the season and made the half time score 19-10.
Early in the second half the Penryn fly half kicked a good penalty to increase the lead. They followed this with 3 further tries, two of which were converted to make the score 41–10. Despite these scores the Hornets who had replaced Ed Stigle and Martin Hocking with Pat Hoare and Mike Bundy at Half time never gave up against Penryn who were able to make numerous replacements. Hornets scored the final points of the match after Matt Cann put up a clever box kick that Tom Summers collected and rounded the defence to score a deserved try, Tom Heayel converted the try to round off the scoring as the final whistle blew.
Considering the number of players missing and the fact that commitments have meant few numbers in training there was much to be taken from the game, not least the players’ never lie- down attitude. Tom Heayel had a fine match at fly-half, Dan Pearce Captain for the day always looked dangerous in attack .The back row of Warren Rumble, Tim Robey and Jo Wilson showed their usual potential and the effort and commitment of James Alexander, Ed Broom and Tom Bradley gives the impression that with more matches and higher numbers in training (working with Keith Richards, Jock Wheeldon and Barry Howarth) there will be much to look forward to this season.
Scorers: Newquay Hornets: Tries De La Hunty, Summers, Wilson
Conversion Heayel
Team:Tom Bradley, Tom Powell, Ed Broom, James Alexander, Martin Hocking, Joe Wilson, Tim Robey, Warrren Rumble, Matt Cann, Tom Heayel, Tom Summers, Alex Mellor, Ryan De La Hunty, Ed Stigle, Dan Pearce (Captain), Pat Hoare, Mike Bundy
Next Saturday the Youth XV take on Camborne in a league match at the Sports Centre. Kick off ins at 2:30 pm
Saturday, 6th September 2008
Newquay Hornets 48 Bideford 0
EDF Senior Vase, First Round
Western Counties West newcomers Newquay had just too much guile, pace and defensive nous for last season’s Cornwall and Devon opponents. The back three of Romey Vassell, Rob McIntyre and James Ingle gave them the trump cards at the Sports Centre on Saturday under typically leaden 2008 summer skies. Indeed for Vassell it would prove an afternoon to remember. He ran in four of Hornets’ eight tries on his debut for the senior side.
Kicking off with the wind and rain at their backs, Bideford let early point scoring opportunities slip away and it was the young debutant Vassell who made them pay, with a brace of tries. The vision of scrum half Jason Caruana, also making his Hornets debut, made a lovely try for McIntyre. And second row, Andy Burbidge was on hand to finish the best move of the match, after slick handling from forwards and backs took the ball half the length of the field. Sam Cullen converted two to give Hornets a 24-0 lead at the interval.
At the restart, with the wind at their backs, the home side found it difficult to recapture the fluency of the second quarter. Bideford got back in the match with their forwards driving the ball forward and fly half, Mushava trying hard to orchestrate an opening. Invariably they ran up against a very stingy home defence.
It was the experience of centre Marc Richards that sparked a Hornets’ revival. His break set up a try for abrasive No 8 Lee Woodhatch. Then within a ten-minute spell, Simon Horton came on for Richards to fashion a lovely opening for Sam Cullen to go in for a try, and Vassell crushed the resurgent Bideford with two more examples of his devastating pace. First flanker Steve Potter went ballistic to run through the Bideford defence and give him space to run in. Then Tom Bazeley broke the Bideford back line to make him his fourth. Cullen converted his own try and one of Vassell’s.
Team Manager, Steve Bazeley was pleased to start the season with a win and he concluded, “The boys showed fitness and there’s still more to come”.
Scorers: Newquay Hornets Tries: Vassell (4), Burbidge, Cullen, McIntyre, Woodhatch - Conversions: Cullen (4)
Team: Kris Wicketts, Luke Bazeley (Dan Taylor), Alex Bazeley, Stuart Williams (Captain), Andy Burbidge, Steve Potter, Luke Mansfield (Scott Trayner), Lee Woodhatch, Jason Caruana, Sam Cullen (Simon Horton), James Ingle, Tom Bazeley, Marc Richards (Romey Vassell), Rob McIntyre, Romey Vassell (Sam Cullen)
Newquay Hornets Seconds 30 Truro Seconds 12
The Hornets Seconds fielded a blend of youth and experience with a smattering of new faces to take on Truro Seconds at the Sports Centre on Saturday. The combination of experienced Tim Eustice at No 8 and the young half back pairing of Martin Dingle and Tom Heayel gave Hornets the edge in match played in windy conditions, under leaden skies. Young fly half Heayel’s haul was half Hornets’ score.
Hornets lead 10-5 at the interval thanks to Heayel, who kicked a penalty after seven minutes and crossed for a try, which he also converted just before the break. Truro came back strongly after the restart to take the lead 10-12 with a converted try. It wasn’t until the last quarter that Hornets stretched away with a try a piece from backs Milo Berkeley and Lee Pascoe, one of which was converted by Heayel. Heayel kicked a second penalty on 70 minutes and Ashley Cotton, on in the second row for Aaron McPherson, wrapped it up for the home side, at the end, with an unconverted try.
Scorers: Newquay Hornets Tries: Milo Berkeley, Ashley Cotton, Tom Heayel, Lee Pascoe,
Conversions: Tom Heayel (2)
Penalties: Tom Heayel (2)
Team: Mark Headland (Captain), James Halfpenny, Julian Tyson, Aaron McPherson (Ashley Cotton), Russ Milson (Jason Wells), Ben Ambridge (Tim Eustice), Warren Barber (Anthony White), Tim Eustice (Martin Pearce), Martin Dingle, Tom Heayel, Milo Berkeley (Ashley Underhill), John Pease (Lee Pascoe), George Ferris (Milo Berkeley), Ashley Mann, Ben Eustice
Saturday, 18th April 2009
Devonport Services 39 Newquay Hornets 20
Tribute Western Counties West League
Hornets travelled to the Rectory in Plymouth on Saturday in search of a win that would give them fifth place in the league. They had beaten their opponents 14-10 at home in December. However Services had lost only three times since then and were on a roll. Their confidence showed, as Hornets were undone in the first half by a combination of athleticism and the goal kicking of fly half Matt Anstis. Services turned around 29-10 up and despite a competitive second period Hornets couldn’t close the gap.
It took Services just two minutes to create the overlap and put wing Kyle Brown into space wide on the left and he ran in the first try. By the 25th minute, four penalties from the siege-gun boot of Anstis and a try from Morgan Andrews on the other wing had taken the home side away to a 22-3 lead. Sam Cullen kicked Hornets’ reply, a penalty on 17 minutes. On 35 minutes, after Hornets had almost made an opening for full back Dan Pearce, No. 8 Ross Robins picked up at the base of the scrum 20 yards out, fed flanker Josh Gray and he gave fly half Tom Bazeley the scoring pass. Cullen converted for 22-10. Then in injury time before the break, with Hornets’ lineout under pressure just five metres out, Services pinched the ball and swung it into the centre for Tom Goodman to get their third try. Anstis added the extras.
Hornets stepped up a gear after the break and had the better of the third quarter; but they had only a Cullen penalty on 42 minutes to show for their dominance of territory and possession. Then on 58 minutes, following a lineout on half way, Services’ second row, Martin Brown charged through to set up a try for full back Carl Ranscombe.
It took another quarter of an hour for Hornets to set up their second try. After last-ditch defence had prevented another Services’ score, they probed down the left before George Ferris’s run down the right set up the platform, 10 metres out, for Rob Ley to break a tackle and go in under the posts. Cullen converted. Services hadn’t finished; they won the ball at the kick off, ran right then left to put Ben McGowan in for their fifth try.
At the end of their first season back in Tribute Western League West, Hornets are in mid-table on 22 points having won eleven and lost eleven. They recorded wins against eight of the eleven sides in the league, completing doubles over Bude, Camborne and Withycombe.
Scorers:
Devonport Services
Tries Morgan Andrews, Kyle Brown, Tom Goodman, Ben McGowan, Carl Ranscombe
Conversion Matt Anstis
Penalties Matt Anstis (4)
Newquay Hornets
Try Tom Bazeley, Rob Ley
Conversion Sam Cullen (2)
Penalty Sam Cullen (2)
Newquay Hornets Team: James Bayley (Matt Mockford), Dan Taylor, Alex Bazeley, Andy Burbidge, Kris Wicketts (Aaron McPherson), Mark Turton, Josh Gray, Ross Robins, Sam Cullen, Tom Bazeley, James Ingle, Rob Ley, Ashley Mann (George Ferris), Rob McIntyre, Dan Pearce
Easter Weekend - 11th-12th April 2009
The Hornets played three matches against touring sides over the Easter weekend, two on Saturday and one on Sunday.
Newquay Hornets A 46 Avonvale 36
The visitors travelled down from Bathford, near Bath for a tour as part of the celebration of their club’s 125th anniversary. They are currently second in Dorset and Wilts 2 North league, a level below Hornets. The carnival rugby matched the weather at the Sports Centre. Both sides threw the ball around and the visitors kept pace with the home side until the last ten minutes. If passes had gone to hand for Avonvale, the result might have been reversed. The pick of the first half tries came when Rob McIntyre produced a scintillating 90-metre run to make a run in for James Ingle. The Hornets led 24-19 at the interval through tries from Jack Hutton, Russell Milsom and another from James Ingle. Sam Cullen converted two. Avonvale’s three tries came from John Keir and Freddie Scobey with two. Rob Fitch converted two.
Rob McIntyre continued to torment the Avonvale defence; he scored the first of Hornets tries after the break. Russell Milsom set up Ingle’s third. Ingle himself hacked a loose ball on to claim a fourth and then turned supplier to give McIntyre a second. Sam Culllen converted one. Darren Ball, Steven Bath and Rob Fitch crossed for Avonvale. Fitch converted one.
Newquay Hornets A 22 Old Cooperians 24
Hornets went down by a very narrow margin to their visitors from Essex. For Hornets Tim Grainger grabbed two tries and James Greencross and Aaron McPherson got one each. Ryan Johns converted one.
Newquay Hornets A 7 Old Yardleians 26
Old Yardleians from Shirley in the Midlands were the opponents at the Sports Centre on Sunday. They proved too strong for a makshift Hornets outfit and ran in four tries to one. Tom Bazeley got the try for Hornets and Ryan Johns converted.
Hornets Seconds will be at Perranporth on Wednesday (15th) evening to play a Merit Table fixture.
Hornets Chiefs play their final league match of the season away to Devonport Services next Saturday. A win will give them fifth place in the league table.
Newquay Hornets Colts win County Sevens Plate
Launceston Rugby Club played host to 16 teams from Cornwall and Devon, for the County Sevens Tournament on Easter Sunday and the young Hornets were determined to end a disappointing season on a high note. They found themselves in a group with teams they had never played before, so it was a case of putting their all into every game. They beat North Petherton and the Cornwall Babas comfortably and drew with Ivybridge. Unfortunately, James Alexander dislocated his shoulder during the game against Okehampton. This unsettled the team and resulted in their only loss of the tournament.
The lads went on to beat Honiton in the semi-final, leaving them in the final with yet another Devon side, namely Cullompton. The Newquay boys had to call on that special reserve of Hornets’ pure grit and single-minded resolve to muster their last ounce of strength in what can only be described as semi-tropical conditions. With the sun still beating down and no fresh legs, the Hornets squared up to Cullompton with a massive advantage. All the Cornish lads threw their support behind the popular and well-liked Newquay boys, with cheers, chants and Mexican waves carrying the Hornets to a well-deserved, but tight victory of 29-24 over the Devon favourites.
All James’ friends and teammates wish him a full and speedy recovery. Special thanks to coaches Keith Richards and Bill Pearce and his family for all their help in making the Sevens so successful.
Team: James Alexander, Freddy Cash, Liam Freeman, Dan Pearce, Tim Robey, Warren Rumble, Tom Summers, Joe Wilson
Saturday, 4th April 2009
Newquay Hornets 16 Ivybridge 41
Tribute Western Counties West League
Having lost at Ivybridge 8-0 before Christmas, the Hornets were keen to do better at home, but it was Ivybridge who needed the win to keep their hopes of a play-off place alive and they would not be denied their win. They were the better side and ran in six tries to one. For Hornets, Andy Burbidge and Tim Eustice did well in the lineout, putting real pressure on the Ivybridge jumpers; and James Bayley worked hard to take the ball forward. Hornets contributed to a lively match with some good running out of defence. Youngsters Dan Pearce and Romey Vassell proved a handful for the Ivybridge defence and full back, Pearce was solid under the high ball all afternoon. However for all their possession in attack, Hornets just couldn’t open up the visitors’ defence, whilst their defence suffered it’s worst Saturday of the season.
Hornets missed a penalty attempt from the kick off, but within three minutes were seven point up after Tim Eustice charged down a Ivybridge kick to hack on and give young centre Romey Vassell the chance to run on to the ball and sprint 40 metres for the try. Sam Cullen converted. Despite having the best of the first half territorially with the breeze behind them, Hornets shipped three tries. On 12 minutes the visitors were level; taking a pass from livewire scrum half Steve Atkinson, wing Liam Kimber broke a tackle on the left and ran around under the posts fro the try, which fly half Dave Lawson converted. Again the pace Kimber was Hornets’ undoing on 22 minutes as he caught a kick out of defence and ran down the same channel, breaking tackles as he went, to double the Ivybridge try count. Lawson converted. Hornets replied within a minute with a Cullen penalty. Flanker Rory Wakeling extended the Ivybridge lead on 33 minutes when he took a ball on the burst and ran in from the Hornets twenty-two. With their tails up it looked as if Ivybridge would run riot, but the Hornets pack that had looked under pressure steadied the ship and Cullen closed the gap to 13-19 just before the interval.
Scrum half, Atkinson cemented Ivybridge’s advantage on 46 and 62 minutes, when he conjured tries from the base of the scrum inside the Hornets’ twenty-two. First he set up the other Wakeling brother, Joel, to cut the line on the blind side for a try that Lawson converted, then he used Kimber as a foil to run over himself on the left. Hornets came back strongly and forced their way to the visitors’ line, but were kept out. Cullen added another penalty for Hornets on 51 minutes and penalties in kickable positions were spurned in the search for try-scoring opportunities. On 80 minutes Lawson kicked a penalty to make it 16-34, and in the last two minutes of injury time a kick down field caught the Hornets defence horribly exposed, second row Simon Oliver scooped up the loose ball to go over and Lawson added the conversion. Hornets ended the match on the Ivybridge line, still looking for the illusive try.
Scorers:
Newquay Hornets
Try Romey Vassell
Conversion Sam Cullen
Penalty Sam Cullen (3)
Ivybridge
Tries Liam Kimber (2), Steve Atkinson, Simon Oliver, Joel Wakeling, Rory Wakeling
Conversoions Dave Lawson (4)
Penalty Dave Lawson
Newquay Hornets Team: Alex Bazeley, Dan Taylor, James Bayley, Andy Burbidge, Jason Wells (Kris Wicketts), Ross Robins, Scott Trayner, Tim Eustice, Sam Cullen, Tom Bazeley, Rob McIntyre (Jon Hyatt), Rob Ley, Romey Vassell, James Ingle, Dan Pearce
Hornets’ final league match of the season is away to Devonport Services on Saturday on 18th April 2009. A win will give them fifth place in the league table.
Two A XV fixtures have been arranged for the Easter weekend.
On Easter Saturday (11th) the match is against Avonvale, who will be on tour celebrating their 125th anniversary. They are based at Bathford, near Bath and are currently second place in Dorset and Wilts 2 North. Kick off is at 3:00pm
And on Easter Sunday (12th) Old Yardleians from Shirley in the Midlands will be at the Sports Centre. They play in Midlands 4 West (North). Kick off is at 11:00am.
Newquay Hornets 2nds 3 Ivybridge 2nds 12
A makeshift Newquay side put in a battling performance against their visitors from Devon on Saturday but were unable to clinch the win in a closely fought contest.
Ivybridge were quicker out of the blocks and almost scored in the first few minutes, but a knock-on just short of the line ruled out the score. Hornets were then able to fight their way back into the game and had the best of the remainder of the half, particularly in the scrums with prop John Hall having another effective game. Breaks by Ashley Mann and Tim Grainger almost led to scores, but the home side could not finish their chances. After a missed penalty by each side the half looked destined to be scoreless but on the stroke of half time, substitute Tom Heayel stepped up to kick a penalty goal and put Hornets into the lead.
An injury to scrum half Lee Ambridge forced a re-shuffle during the break and the changes seemed to have a negative effect on the Hornets’ side, Ivybridge's forwards soon gained the upper hand and dominated possession, two tries from their inside centre giving them the lead. The Hornets kept attacking, but were unable to close the gap before the final whistle.
Newquay Hornets Team:
John Hall, Mark Headland (captain), John Paris, Josh Richardson, Rory Julian, Matt White (Martin Pearce), Jack Hutton, Anthony Whyte (Jason Wells), Lee Ambridge (Tom Heayel),
Milo Berkeley, Tim Grainger, Ashley Mann, Adam Rainey, Matt Vincent (Mike Cash), Ben Eustice
Newquay Hornets Youth 19 Braintree Youth 27
On Sunday twenty-three lads from Braintree Under 17s arrived looking every inch the Essex County Champions. The Hornets Under 16s also turned up, having had their match cancelled, so the Colts agreed to play a mixed team to give them a taste of things to come next season. Although Braintree were very slick and disciplined, the combined Hornets put up a solid wall defence, making it difficult for Braintree to break through to the try line. When they finally managed to score, Hornets quickly responded with a try from Joe Wilson, converted by Liam Freeman. Braintree put another try over just before the half time whistle making the half time score 7-12. The second half provided more quality rugby with Braintree scoring two of their three tries by pushing the much lighter Hornets pack up to the line. Not to be outdone, the Hornets responded with tries from Tom Summers and Warren Rumble, the latter converted again by Freeman. Many thanks to Ian Pengelly, who refereed both matches.
Colts team: James Alexander, Tom Bradley, Ed Broom, Freddy Cash, Richard Cawley Liam Freeman, Jordan Henwood, Dan Hinton, Pat Hoare, Chesney King, Dan Pearce, Tom Powell, Dan Reynolds, Tim Robey, Warren Rumble, Ed Stigle, Tom Summers, Joe Wilson.
Under 16s team: James Barker, George Brookes, Dex Cater, Josh Coombes, Tom Eggins, Steve France, Harry Fricker, Martin Griffen, Liam Hutchins, Brogan O’Keiffe, Harry Pendreich, Connor Riley, Charlie Shaahid, Callam Watts, Dan Woodward.
Newquay Hornets Youth take part in the 15-a-side Tournament at Wadebridge on Good Friday and the 7s Tournament at Launceston on Easter Sunday
Friday, 3rd April 2009
Newquay Hornets Youth 41 Frampton Cotterell Youth 5
Hornets Colts played host to two Under 17s touring sides this weekend. On Friday Frampton Cotterell arrived a few players short of a full team due to injuries. The Hornets, used to this situation, found to their amazement that they had a couple of spares to lend, thanks to three Under 16s and previously injured Colts turning up.
In spite of not having played for a couple of weeks, Hornets had the upper hand for most of the game. Tries came throughout the first half from Joe Wilson, Liam Freeman and two from Tim Robey. Liam converted three of them. With one of Frampton Cotterell’s players paying a quick visit to Newquay Hospital Casualty Department for treatment to a dislocated thumb, Richard Cawley volunteered to step in for the visitors. He wasted no time in getting a try past his teammates to claim the only points that the Tourists managed. Tries from Jordan Henwood, Pat Hoare and Freddy Cash brought the closing score to 41- 5. The visitors took defeat in good spirits and enjoyed the rest of the evening with the Colts.
Saturday, 21st February 2009
Newquay Hornets 31 Withycombe 10
Tribute Western Counties West League
Hornets continued to put their barren mid-season spell behind them with another hard fought win at the Sports Centre on Saturday. Bottom club, Withycombe came to Newquay buoyed up by the previous weekend’s draw at home to Wadebridge Camels. They took the game to Hornets early on and were three points up after 15 minutes through a David Passmore penalty. Hornets just couldn’t settle, they were nervy, passes weren’t going to hand and they were giving away ball to their canny opponents, who were doing their best to slow down their possession. It took them half an hour to get on the scoreboard. Eventually after good structured play, hooker, Alex Woodley made the opening on the blind side for his captain, Stuart Williams to outpace the Withy defence for a try, converted by scrum half Sam Cullen.
In a match littered with four yellow cards, three of which were handed out to the visitors, ultimately Hornets were too organised and just had too many guns for their opponents. Turning around 7-3 up, they started at the gallop, immediately putting Withy under pressure in their twenty-two, but it took a quarter of an hour for them to add a Cullen penalty. Inevitably gaps began to appear in the visitors’ defence and Hornets ran in three more tries, all converted by Cullen. On 60 minutes the Withy defence couldn’t cope with the strong running of centre, Rob Ley and he set up a try for Alex Woodley. After 68 minutes centre Andy Dixon put flanker, Luke Mansfield over. Overall the second half was a story of missed opportunities for the Hornets. A forward pass robbed Rob McIntyre of a try on the right wing and late on two wonderful openings on the left went begging through indifferent handling. And ironically, on 80 minutes, it was a wayward pass in the Withy back line that gifted a try for substitute wing, Jon Hyatt to take Hornets’ score over thirty.
With the match won, Hornets relaxed. Withy came back at them and after forcing three penalties close to Hornets’ line, scrum half Dan Perry darted over for a very late try, converted by Passmore.
After the match Hornets’ team manager, Steve Bazeley, said that it was a deserved win for his side. A resolute Withycombe side had come west on the back of the previous week’s result and, as he expected, it had been a very hard fought match. The result keeps Hornets in touch with the three other clubs chasing runaway leaders, unbeaten Cullompton.
Scorers:
Newquay Hornets
Tries Jon Hyatt, Luke Mansfield, Stuart Williams, Alex Woodley
Conversions Sam Cullen (4)
Penalty Sam Cullen
Withycombe
Try Dan Perry
Conversion David Passmore
Penalty David Passmore
Newquay Hornets Team: Alex Woodley, Luke Bazeley, Alex Bazeley, Kris Wicketts (Ben Ambridge), Stuart Williams, Lee Woodhatch, Josh Gray, Luke Mansfield, Sam Cullen, Tom Bazeley, James Ingle (Jon Hyatt), Rob Ley, Andy Dixon, Rob McIntyre, Dan Pearce, Substitute not used: Simon Lutey
The league takes a break next weekend. So whilst the Second XV will take on Roseland away in the Merit Table, and the Youth XV play Redruth in the cup at the Sports Centre, the First XV take a rest before travelling to Tiverton for a league match on Saturday, 7th March 2009.
The Vice Presidents’ Lunch, postponed in January, has now been rescheduled for Saturday, 4th April 2009.
Saltash Seconds 15 Newquay Hornets Seconds 30
Cornwall Merit Table Two
Hornets made the long trip to Saltash on Saturday hoping to leapfrog the home side in the Merit Table. They came away with an emphatic win.
Despite several of the squad arriving at the ground via the scenic route, they were on the attack from the start and the early pressure resulted in a try for centre, Adam Rainey after just two minutes. The momentum stayed with the Hornets, who scored again on the eight-minute mark, an initial break by Scott Martin being finished off by the excellent Lee Ambridge. However Hornets struggled to deal with restarts throughout and Saltash were able to score a try from the subsequent kick off. Hornets then forced a penalty, kicked by Russell Milsom, before scoring another try when a flowing move was finished by wing Matt Cross. This was the last score of the first half.
The second half was more even, but Hornets were able to extend their lead just after the break. Jack Benney followed up a long kick from the Hornets’ 22 and charged down the Saltash clearance, from the resulting ruck Jason Wells capped a fine performance by forcing his way over for the try. Saltash fought back and as the quality of the Hornets’ possession deteriorated the home side came back into the game. However they were not able to overcome Hornets’ defence until the 73rd minute, when a try from close range closed the gap. The Hornets were then able to win a second penalty, which gave Milsom his fourth successful kick and made the game safe. However there was still time for flanker, Matt White to become acquainted with the local wildlife as a passing dog, perhaps mistaking the meaning of a rolling maul, ran on to the pitch and nibbled his arm. No harm was done and the incident was taken in a good spirit, in keeping with the overall tone of the match.
Newquay Hornets scorers:
Tries Lee Ambridge, Matt Cross, Adam Rainey, Jason Wells
Conversions Russell Milsom (2)
Penalties Russell Milsom (2)
Newquay Hornets Team: Mark Headland, Dan Taylor, John Paris, Aaron McPhearson, Gus Gustafson (John Hall), Matt White, Scott Trayner (Lewis Bowns), Jason Wells (Martin Pearce), Lee Ambridge (Craig Daniels), Russell Milsom, Matt Cross (Jack Benny), Scott Martin, Adam Rainey, Bret Stevens, Ben Eustice
Newquay Hornets Youth 34 Launceston Youth 24
Colts County Cup
Guardian Grassroots readers who follow the mixed fortunes of the young Hornet Colts, will not be surprised to learn that these fearless lads played this vital Cup fixture with a team of only ten regulars and four Under 16s.
Captain Joe Wilson had his work cut out, marshalling a back line who had never played together before and being a man short, but he did an excellent job of lifting the team spirit and setting up several tries along the way. First out the blocks for Newquay was Warren “Hulk” Rumble, who was but a green blur as he divided a sea of black shirts to storm their try line.
Next to score was U16 Steve France, who took on a couple of steaky Launceston players and just squeezed over with the ball before being brutally felled. Not to be outdone, Launceston met try with try, though both sides were unable to convert. The 14 Hornets had a lot more ground to cover in the unseasonably warm sunshine, making the lads hot and tetchy, but all the more determined to notch up the double points on offer. U16’s James Taylor and Callum Watts contributed a tremendous amount to regaining and keeping the ball in Newquay’s possession. With 2 minutes to half time Liam Freeman took the 5 point glory, but with James Alexander acting as bodyguard to take out the larger opposition, the hard work of shifting the ball was done by some elaborate dodging and weaving on the part of U16 Jake Cass.
The second half saw the ever fearless Pat Hoare tackling all comers enabling mini-dynamo Freddy Cash to easily outrun the flustered Launceston defence and score his try, closely followed by a Wilson/Rumble combination that resulted in the Mighty Hulk’s second try. A conversion by Liam kept the Hornets in the lead in spite of Launceston scoring two more converted tries. The formidable and notorious Hornets’ pack fronted by “Bulldog” Broom, “One and Only” Chesney King and the menacing Tom “Bradders” needed no prompting to charge the scrum up the field, giving nimble Alex Mellor the opening to score a memorable try to celebrate his return from a broken collar bone. Liam converted once more to round off the match on a long awaited high for the local Newquay lads.
Newquay Hornets Scorers:
Tries Freddy Cash, Steve France, Liam Freeman, Alex Mellor, Warren Rumble (2)
Conversions Liam Freeman (2)
Team: James Alexander, Tom Bradley, Ed Broom, Freddy Cash, Liam Freeman, Pat Hoare, Chesney King, Alex Mellor, Warren Rumble, & Joe Wilson. Under16s: Jake Cass, Steve France, James Taylor & Callum Watts
Saturday 28th Cup Match. Newquay at home to Redruth. Kick off 2.30 p.m.
Saturday, 14th February 2009
Camborne 15 Newquay Hornets 29
Tribute Western Counties West League
Hornets’ team manager, Steve Bazeley was still smiling at the weekend, this time it was at Camborne Recreation Ground, where the pace of his young guns, tempered by a modicum of experience dispelled the memory of the side’s last encounter, when Hornets had produced a really uninspired performance to go down 13-0 in the EDF Energy Senior Vase. Ultimately, pace and movement told and Hornets scored five tries to run out deserved winners. It was Hornets first win at Camborne for twenty-two years.
It took less than five minutes for Hornets’ experience to exploit a wide undefended blind side on the right. Rob Ley switched blind after excellent driving play by the pack had set up the position in the Camborne twenty-two. He found No. 8, Stuart Williams waiting for his pass and Williams dotted down in the corner.
Hornets kept Camborne on the back foot with an aggressive defence and good set piece possession. Tim Eustice and Stuart Williams were particularly effective in the lineout. Despite the possession, it took Hornets another 25 minutes to take advantage of their superior pace out wide. After forwards and backs combined well to take the ball into the Camborne twenty-two on the right, the ball was spun left and wing, James Ingle ran in for the try, which scrum half, Sam Cullen converted.
For Camborne, fly half David Mankee put over a long-range drop goal, having missed a previous attempt and his side’s only penalty opportunity.
Hornets replied almost immediately when a Camborne clearance kick was taken at pace in midfield by young debutant full back, Dan Pearce. He put wing, Rob McIntyre away on the right and with Romey Vassell outside him, McIntyre kept the home defence guessing on his way to stretching the visitor’s lead.
With a 3-17 lead at the interval, Rob Ley put the Hornets further ahead when he beat the home defence to a Cullen kick ahead and ran in for the try.
Just when Hornets looked to have the match sewn up, the kicking of Camborne’s David Mankee unlocked their defence twice, causing uncertainty and allowing, first, Robert Floyd to pick up a loose ball and score, and then Floyd to turn provider for Shane Woods. Mankee converted one of the tries.
With 15 minutes still to play, 15-22 was a different situation. Hornets had to knuckle down to preserve their lead. With only minutes of normal time remaining, a pass from fly half Tom Bazeley and the rapier pace of young centre, Romey Vassell caught the Camborne defence in disarray. Vassell ran in for a try under posts. Cullen converted to secure Hornets’ second double of the campaign and keep them in fifth place in the league.
Steve Bazeley was delighted with the performance as a follow-up to the success against Kingsbridge. In particular he applauded the assured first appearance in the side of young Dan Pearce. He was secure under the high ball and his pace was a constant threat to the home defence.
Scorers:
Camborne
Tries Robert Floyd, Shane Woods
Conversion David Mankee
Drop Goal David Mankee
Newquay Hornets
Tries James Ingle, Rob Ley, Rob McIntyre, Romey Vassell, Stuart Williams
Conversions Sam Cullen (2)
Newquay Hornets Team: Alex Woodley, Luke Bazeley, Alex Bazeley, Ben Ambridge (Josh Gray 59), Stuart Williams (Kris Wicketts 44), Lee Woodhatch, Tim Eustice, Luke Mansfield (Scott Martin 80), Sam Cullen, Tom Bazeley, James Ingle, Rob Ley, Romey Vassell, Rob McIntyre, Dan Pearce
On Saturday Hornets have a league fixture against Withycombe at the Sports Centre. Bottom club, Withycombe held Wadebridge Camels to a 10-10 draw on Saturday, so the Hornets can’t take league position as an indicator of current form. Kick off is at 2:30pm. The Second XV travels to Saltash for a Merit Table fixture and the Youth XV entertains Hayle at the Sports Centre.
Newquay Hornets Seconds 0 Camborne Seconds 12
Hornets Seconds returned to action after two weeks off due to the recent bad weather, to face a tough test against a strong Camborne side in difficult conditions at the Sports Centre. The Hornets side was weakened by unavailability and were soon under pressure as Camborne started on the front foot. The home defence held up well and they were unfortunate not to take the lead when Lee Pascoe's breakaway from an intercepted Camborne pass was whistled back for a marginal offside decision. Soon after though, Camborne took the lead, a kick behind the Hornets defence caused problems and the away side's winger was able to pounce on the loose ball for the score. The visitors continued to attack throughout the half and missed several kicks at goal. The Newquay defence held out strongly with fine contributions from John Paris and Dan Taylor in particular and there was no further score before half time.
The second period was more even as the Hornets’ pack was able to secure more possession. Strong ball carrying, notably from Anthony Whyte and Matt Mockford pushed Camborne backwards regularly. However hopes of Hornets snatching a win were dashed when Camborne broke away; a long clearence kick into space beat the cover and only desperate defence from Jack Benney prevented the score. Camborne were not to be denied for long and scored through an interception as Hornets attempted to force a late try.
Perranporth Youth 39 Newquay Hornets Youth 0
It may have been the feast day of St. Valentine on Saturday, but there was certainly no love lost between these two Colts teams. The Newquay lads clashed with Perranporth on their first ever visit and at one point it looked more like the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, with bloodied Perranporth players strewn all over the pitch following un-gentlemanly behaviour on the part of the Perranporth squad resulting in the sin-bin for one of their backs. Hornets ploughed straight in from the whistle like ticking time-bombs, putting all their energy into keeping the Home team away from their try line. The first half was very animated, with exciting rugby from both sides interspersed with the odd flare-up and two tries. The fledgling referee had a hard job keeping up and maintaining control, but there was never a dull moment until he blew up for half time with Newquay trailing by twelve points.
The second half kept the referee on his toes with a further two yellow cards for Perranporth and a red one for retaliation from a Hornet. With one man down and after such an explosive first half, a beleaguered Newquay started to make some silly mistakes, allowing the home team to score several tries. When a high tackle saw off another Hornet, the thirteen-man squad showed signs of weary resignation as Perranporth took advantage to put over the last three tries in quick succession.
However the Hornets played far better than the final score suggests. In these first seven weeks of 2009 the Newquay Colts have only managed to train twice and play three matches. Injuries and bad weather have plagued this promising young squad since moving up to Colts, so they must be applauded for persevering in the face of adversity. Twelve Hornets went to Perranporth determined to have a game regardless, then just 10 minutes before kick off, Carl Phillips and U16s Jake Cass and Callum Watts turned up to make up numbers with Ed Aldridge on the subs bench, just in case.
Team: James Alexander, Tom Bradley, Ed Broom, Matt Cann, Freddy Cash, Liam Freeman, Tom Heayel, Pat Hoare, Chesney King, Carl Phillips, Warren Rumble, Tom Summers, Joe Wilson. Under16s: Jake Cass, Callum Watts
Saturday 21st Newquay Hornets Youth are at home to Hayle. Kick off 2.30 p.m.
Saturday, 7th February 2009
Newquay Hornets 12 Kingsbridge 3
Tribute Western Counties West League
Hornets’ team manager, Steve Bazeley believes Saturday’s excellent win over second-placed Kingsbridge could turn their Tribute Western Counties West season around.
It has been a difficult few weeks for the Hornets who have been suffering badly from player unavailability. They crashed out of the Cornwall Cup at Hayle when they had fifteen first team players missing and their league form has also taken a dip.
However their deserved win over Kingsbridge has given the club a big boost. “As someone said the smiles are back on our faces,” said a happy Bazeley. “I was delighted with the win as we have been going through something of a grey patch. We have had a lot of players unavailable and we have let ourselves down a bit and we feel we have turned the corner.” Bazeley added that Hornets good performance in losing 27-14 at Cullompton to the unbeaten league leaders in their previous match had also given the side a boost. “We competed really well and the fourteen points we scored were the most they had conceded on their own ground.”
For the first time this season Hornets were able to field the same back line and were virtually at full strength against a Kingsbridge side that had lost just three matches in the league all season.
And with the wind at their backs in the first half they took the game to the Devon Visitors on a very sticky Sports Centre pitch. Hornets went ahead after 15 minutes when Sam Cullen fed Rob Ley from the back of a scrum. Ley powered over from 25 metres out. Cullen added the extras to give the home side the perfect start. Although Kingsbridge enjoyed some possession, the Hornets defence was solid as they waited for mistakes in the difficult conditions. Ten minutes later Hornets stretched their lead to 12-0 when young hooker, Alex Woodley, a student from Zambia, took the scoring pass from centre, Marc Richards following a good move from a set scrum. Cullen was unable to convert and Hornets went to the interval with a not unassailable lead.
Hornets knew that they would have to put in a strong defensive shift in the second period as they played into the elements. They were up to the task. Young full back Romey Vassell was immovable under the high ball as they denied their visitors a real sniff of the try line. In fact for all the pressure they exerted, Kingsbridge could only manage a 50th minute penalty goal from fly half, Greg Newman.
And near the end Hornets when Hornets broke the Kingsbridge stranglehold, they were unlucky not to extend their lead, when second row forward, Ashley Cotton was tap tackled just short of the line.
Now Hornets will be hoping to carry on the good work at Camborne this Saturday. They beat the Cherry and Whites 22-12 in an exciting match earlier in the season and after Saturday’s match will be confident of completing the double.
Scorers:
Newquay Hornets
Tries Rob Ley, Alex Woodley
Conversion Sam Cullen
Kingsbridge
Penalty Greg Newman
Newquay Hornets Team: Simon Lutey, Alex Woodley, Alex Bazeley, Ross Robins, Ashely Cotton, Lee Woodhatch, Luke Mansfield, Stuart Williams (captain), Sam Cullen, Tom Bazeley, James Ingle, Rob Ley, Marc Richards, Jon Hyatt, Romey Vassell. Substitutes: Dan Taylor, Ben Ambridge, Rob McIntyre
Saturday, 24th January 2009
Cullompton 27 Newquay Hornets 14
Tribute Western Counties West League
Having gone down to their opponents by a single point at home in November, Hornets travelled to Stafford Park to take on the unbeaten league leaders, still searching for a settled back division. Their Achilles heel was clinically exposed, particularly in the first half, when Cully ran in three of their four tries, moving the ball away from the breakdown quickly and using swift hands and sheer pace to exploit space out wide.
Hornets started well and within five minutes forced an infringement from the home pack; scrum half Sam Cullen put over the penalty. Cully responded and on ten minutes they sucked in the Hornets’ defence and left wing, Paul Baker was sent away for the first try of the match. After twenty minutes Cullen put Hornets ahead again with his second penalty, only for Cully’s Adam Pearce to grab a three pointer to re-establish the home lead.
It was the speed of pass and the pace of Baker that moved Cully further away after half an hour, when he squeezed in at the corner for his second try. Again, within five minutes, swift movement and recycling of the ball left then right, found the Hornets’ defence nowhere and second row forward, Simon Kittow ran in to touch down. Pearce converted to give the home side a well-deserved 20-6 interval lead.
After the exasperation of the first half the travelling support were dreading more of the same. But despite the continued threat from the home back division, they had the excitement of seeing the Hornets pack taking on, and really putting the home eight under pressure. Young prop, Alex Woodley had his best match for Hornets before leaving the field with a head injury, to be replaced by debutant, Matt Mockford. Cullen stepped up for his third penalty just after half time to narrow the home lead. Hornets’ full back Romey Vassell was proving a real handful and the boot of centre, Rob Ley was turning the home defence, but Hornets just couldn’t make the space to threaten the excellent home defence.
Cully right wing, Mark Laskey got in on the action after sixty-five minutes, finishing the best move of the second half with a try, which was converted by Pearce.
The Hornets responded, putting the home pack under even more pressure. Vassell threatened again before Hornets mauled the ball over the Cully line in the dying minutes to win a five-metre scrum. The Cully defence held firm, but Hornets came again and forced the home side back to their goal line, and after a number of phases, Rob Ley forced his way over to open his account for Hornets and give them a deserved try with what proved to be the last play of the match.
Scorers:
Cullompton
Tries Paul Baker (2), Simon Kittow, Mark Laskey
Conversions Adam Pearce (2)
Penalty Adam Pearce
Newquay Hornets
Tries Rob Ley
Penalties Sam Cullen (3)
Newquay Hornets Team: Alex Woodley (Matt Mockford), Luke Bazeley, Alex Bazeley, Ross Robins, Andy Burbidge, Lee Woodhatch, Luke Mansfield (Ben Ambridge), Stuart Williams, Sam Cullen, Tom Bazeley, James Ingle, Rob Ley, Marc Richards, Jon Hyatt, Adam Rainey
The Hornets celebrated fielding four sides on Saturday for the first time in twenty years. The Second XV travelled to Perranporth and came away with a 19-19 draw, the resurrected Surfers XV was at home against newly formed Camelford and won 15-8. The Youth XV were short of players, but still travelled to Liskeard-Looe and lost 24-0 in very challenging conditions.
On Saturday Hornets have a league fixture against second-placed Kingsbridge at the Sports Centre. Kick off is at 2:30pm. The Second XV travels to Perranporth for a Merit Table fixture and the Youth XV is also away at Penzance.
The club invites all Vice Presidents to a complimentary lunch at the Sports Centre from 12:30pm.
Newquay Hornets Seconds 19 Perranporth Firsts 19
OLD RIVALRIES were renewed at the weekend when the Hornets second string made the short trip down the coast to face Perranporth's first team. Two years ago bragging rights belonged to Perran whose first team was a league above the Hornets. Newquay's meteoric rise has been matched by Perran's decline and the Hornets firsts are now two leagues higher than their Perran counterparts.
The newly reformed Hornets third team's home fixture meant that Newquay travelled with just the one replacement and fielded several players out of position.
However, with bragging rights at stake, Perranporth struggling in Cornwall One and the Newquay seconds notching up a series of impressive Merit Table victories the match was set to be well contested.
With whistle blown the game soared into fifth gear and both teams tried to stamp their authority on the encounter.
The Perran forwards were aggressive at the fringes and sought to play the game direct and close to the breakdown while the Hornets looked to exploit their younger pack and pacey three quarters. Resolute defence kept the Perran pack at bay but the old heads recycled possession well. Newquay spun the ball when they could and at times displayed some neat passing from the tackle. Stand-in fly half Tim Eustice did a steady job at ten and was always a running threat. But the Hornets were frustratingly inconsistent at times and were a good pass or a steady hand away from a try on several occasions. Scrums were shaky at first and the lineouts told the story of a pack that hadn't practiced together.
When Josh Grey broke the line on 25 minutes he showed the composure that had been lacking when he made an angled run and found Russell Milsom with a fine flat pass. Milsom touched down but steered the kick wide, but six minutes later center, John Pease chased a looping kick and capitilised on the indecision of the Perran full back, who let the ball bounce. Pease took it off his fingertips and touched down under the sticks for Milsom to convert.
Perran capitlised on some lax defending in the centres and scored under the sticks to narrow the gap before half time.
The good spirit of the game was never more apparent than when Newquay gave their only sub to Perran just before the interval. The home side had a bare fifteen and lost a man to injury in the first half. Veteran utility man Martin 'Percy' Pearce pulled on the Perran jersey and took the total age of their back row to 110.
It was the home side that started the second half better and two tries forced Newquay's backs against the wall. The late arrival of first team lock Ashley Cotton meant that Josh Grey could come off and rest a painful ankle injury and a reshuffle saw Milsom take the ten position and Eustice return to the back row.
A more familiar looking pack helped the Hornets to establish a platform. They pressured Perran in the scrum and dominated the line with Eustice jumping well at the front to steal ball.
Then, George Ferris intercepted a stray pass on the 61st minute to go over the line to draw level. It was the centre's first try since returning from the shoulder injury that has sidelined him for months.
The Hornets were in the ascendency and they tested Perran with some incisive play and some long-awaited structured phase play. But the final ball always seemed lacking and several try-scoring opportunities were squandered by poor passing or suspect handling.
No one can begrudge Perran their draw in terms of endeavour, but with many chances gone begging it felt like a chance squandered for Newquay. Rod Jackson, team manager, said: "We dropped two try scoring passes in the first half and sometimes our heads just weren't on." Team captain Mark Headland added, "We're a bit disappointed with the draw, we played with our hearts rather than our heads."
The result adds further spice to the weekend's fixture when the Hornets return once more to face Perran's second string.
Newquay Hornets scorers:
Tries - Russell Milsom, John Pease, George Ferris.
Conversions - Milsom (2)
Team:
1 - Mark Headland (Capt) 2 - Daniel Taylor 3 - Kris Wicketts 4 - Jason Wells 5 - John Paris 6 - Matt White 7- Scott Trayner 8 - Josh Grey (Ashley Cotton) 9 - Lee Ambridge 10 - Tim Eustice 11 - Ashley Mann 12 - Russell Milsom 13 - John Pease 14 - George Ferris 15 -Anthony White
Newquay Hornets Surfers 15 Camelford 8
After the record turnouts of the last few weeks at training, the Hornets were able to field a Surfers XV for the first time in many years on Saturday. Appropriately enough their first fixture was against Camelford, the county's newest club.
In a keenly contested match, both sets of forwards attempted to take the match to the opposition. However Newquay's pack, led from the front by Tyrone James, managed to edge the contest from the start. This soon led to a try from scrum Half Craig Daniell, who beat several defenders on the blind side before scoring, from distance. The visitors responded with a series of attacks, but they were kept out by excellent defensive work from the Hornets. The pressure broken, Hornets threatened again after some strong ball carrying from Lewis Bowns and 'Burger' Hall. However Camelford were able to touch down just before half time to even up the scores at the break.
Hornets were on the attack from the start of the second half, and pushed Camelford steadily backwards. They were rewarded when a good break and offload under pressure from Ashley Underhill allowed wing, Brett Stevens to finish in the corner. Further Hornets attacks led to a penalty, which was kicked by Daniels. Camelford narrowed the gap with a penalty and they put pressure on Hornets as they searched for a win. However the home defence held out comfortably, with Stevens putting in a crunching tackle on his opposite number.
Liskeard-Looe Youth 24 Newquay Hornets Youth 0
The young Newquay Colts have really struggled with numbers this season, being dogged by injuries from the start. When they have fielded a full squad however they show that they are a formidable foe, as in the last meeting with Liskeard-Looe when they totally annihilated them 52 points to nil. This week unfortunately, it was the Hornets turn. Showing their usual gutsy spirit, 11 fearless Colts set off from Newquay, picking up a courageous U16 volunteer en route, determined to have a game regardless. A quick call brought Ed Aldridge down the A38 for another guest appearance and three Liskeard boys made up the team.
On what can only be described as a hippo wallow of treacly mud the 30 Colts soon became undistinguishable. The extreme conditions under foot suited the style of play of home team, who scored 2 tries in the first half. The Hornets, who like to play fast and furious, became increasingly frustrated as they got bogged down in the mire, struggling against the mobility of the Liskeard backs.
The second half got off to a bad start for Newquay. Richard Cawley was felled by an illegal tackle, causing him to twist his back awkwardly. With the offender in the sin bin and 2 more converted tries chalked up to Liskeard, things were not looking good. But in the true Hornet spirit of camaraderie that has bound these lads together over the years, in their time of need, up stepped a Hornet from the sidelines who has been unable to play this season following a nasty broken leg. Donning Richard’s mud encrusted ki,t Nigel Alldis took his place in the front row. Credit must be given to the pack; they played out of their skins in this half, in spite of 4 out of the 7 not being usual Newquay players. Hooker Tom Powell found his props were both guest players and Tim Robey, Ed Broom and James Alexander were joined by the Liskeard loans who really pulled their weight, one nearly scoring. Much aggrieved Hornets, Dan Pearce, Ed Aldridge and Warren Rumble were all unlucky to have tries disallowed. Tom Summers and Liam Freeman both sought to shift the ball as much as possible through what seemed like slow setting cement. Tom Heayel and Ed Stigle also found the going tough at the back, but kept Liskeard away from the line. Under 16s lad, George Brookes, made his debut playing up today and showed that he is going to be a great asset to the Colts when he moves up next year.
Team: James Alexander, Ed Broom, Richard Cawley, Liam Freeman, Tom Heayel, Dan Pearce, Tom Powell, Tim Robey, Warren Rumble, Ed Stigle, Tom Summers. Guest players Ed Aldridge, Nigel Alldis and U16, George Brookes
Saturday, 17th Janaury 2009
Bude 5 Newquay Hornets 7
Tribute Western Counties West League
It wasn’t for the spectator, but in a match where weather conditions dictated tactics, Hornets secured their first league double of the season when they squeezed home at Bencoolen Meadow on Saturday. Having galloped away to a 55-12 win at home in November, Hornets found Saturday’s Bude side a much more resolute outfit and struggled to impose themselves on the side which had only one league win this season.
Bude kicked off with the gathering storm at their backs and dominated the territory for most the first period. However for all their dominance, they just couldn’t break down the Hornets’ defence. Their fly half Ollie Raynor saw two penalty attempts go narrowly wide.
Turning round on level terms at half time it was the turn of the Hornets pack put Bude under pressure. Scrum half Sam Cullen went close with a penalty attempt and wing Romey Vassell was caught only a metre short of the Bude line wide out on the left. Having set up camp on the Bude five-metre line at the beginning of the third quarter, flanker, Lee Woodhatch also went close for Hornets. Then from the Bude scrum that followed, the ball went loose in goal and Hornets’ Cullen reacted fastest to claim the touch down and kick the extras.
Seven points up with the strong wind at their backs, Hornets were favourites to close out the match out. However Bude weren’t finished and they drove back at their visitors with real spirit. They got their reward five minutes from time when scrum half, Ollie Mounce darted over in the left corner for a try. Hornets held their breath as the conversion just passed the outside the left-hand post. Bude struggled to close the two-point deficit, but Hornets held out for a really hard-fought win and two points that put them up to fourth.
Next Saturday the Hornets travel up the M5 to take on league leaders Cullompton. They will be hoping that they can recapture the form that held the Devon side to a narrow, one point win, 22-23 at home before Christmas.
Scorers:
Bude
Try Ollie Mounce
Newquay Hornets
Tries Sam Cullen
Conversion Sam Cullen
Newquay Hornets Team: James Bayley (Simon Lutey), Luke Bazeley, Alex Bazeley, Ross Robins Ashley Cotton, Lee Woodhatch, Luke Mansfield, Stuart Williams, Sam Cullen, Andy Dixon, James Ingle, Rob Ley, Marc Richards, Tom Bazeley, Jon Hyatt
Newquay Hornets Seconds 17 Camborne Thirds 0
Hornets were pleased to welcome Camborne to the Sports Centre after their scheduled opponents were forced to cancel. The visitors were able to apply early pressure, but were kept out by strong tackling from the home side. However Newquay were soon able to take control of the game pushing Camborne back into their own half through strong running, in particular from Josh Gray and Anthony Whyte. The filthy conditions meant that the Newquay backs saw little of the ball and the match became bogged down as handling errors prevented any scoring. The encounter looked set to go into the break scoreless until flanker, Gray broke through to score a try shortly before half time.
Despite a number of home substitutions, the second half followed the same pattern. Hornets were unable to convert their pressure into points. This continued until fifteen minutes from time, when wing Adam Rainer, with almost his first touch of the game, burst through a rare gap in the defence to score a fine individual try. Hornets continued to batter away at the Camborne line until Josh Gray capped an excellent individual performance with his second try shortly before the final whistle.
Newquay Hornets Scorers
Tries Josh Gray (2), Adam Rainey
Conversion Russel Milsom
Newquay Hornets Team: Mark Headland (Lewis Bowns), Lee Pascoe (Dan Taylor), Matt Mockford (John Paris), Jason Wells, Andy Burbidge (Martin Pearce), Matt White, Anthony Whyte Josh Gray Lee Ambridge (Craig Daniels) Milo Berkeley Adam Rainey Russel Milsom, John Pease (Matt Cross), Jack Benney (Rob MacIntyre), Ashley Mann
Truro Youth 24 Newquay Hornets Youth 10
County Colts Cup
Hornets Youth, who were again short of several key players due to injury and illness, put in a creditable performance against a physically bigger and stronger Truro side. It looked as though the Hornets decision to play against the strong south-westerly wind would pay dividends, as at half time they were trailing 19 – 5 and very much still in the game.
Truro started strongly and used the conditions well, pressurising the Hornets try line with some excellent kicking for position and then strong rucking and mauling. They scored their first try in the opening 5 minutes and went on to score 2 more tries before the break (converting each). Although the Hornets defence was strong overall – two of the home sides tries should have been halted as weak tackling conceded 12 valuable points. The Hornets responded well and had several good passages of play. Dan Pearce made a break from inside his own twenty-two and looked as though he would score from 80 yards, only to be tackled by the Truro full back. Soon afterwards though the backs put together a slick passing move which enabled Richard Cawley to score in the corner.
Half time arrived and the game was certainly in the Hornets grasp. Unfortunately Truro scored their final points very early in the half, which made Hornets task more difficult. Despite playing much of the remainder of the game deep in Truro territory, only one more score was achieved. Hornets had possession in mid-field and moved the ball towards the left wing, Ryan Walsh showed a cool head as he drew his man perfectly before timing his pass to unleash Chesney King to crash over in the corner (not bad for two props), showing the backs how it should be done.
All the squad put in decent performances, but the usual suspects came to the fore, Ed Broom had a huge game, tackling as if his life depended on it. Joe Wilson as always impressed around the park. Dan Hinton tackled strongly and appeared to enjoy playing part of the game in the back row. The conditions made it tough for the backs. However Richard Cawley had a big game stopping several Truro attacks. He is looking better after each game, as his fitness improves (having missed half the season due to injury). Tom Heayel and Dan Pearce did their best to drive Hornets forward and Tim Robey worked hard at scrum-half, a position he is not used to.
Next week the Hornets are away to Liskeard-Looe in a friendly where they hope to return to winning ways.
Newquay Hornets Scorers
Tries Richard Cawley, Chesney King
Saturday, 10th January 2009
Newquay Hornets Seconds 45 Liskeard-Looe Seconds 0
Merit Table
The Hornets were again able to field a strong side for this Merit Table clash. The home side were on the front foot from the start, but handling errors at key times and some last ditch defending by their visitors they were unable to make their possession and territory count until the fifteenth minute. Wing Rob McIntyre outpaced the defence to score his first of the match in the corner. Then the floodgates were then opened, Hornets fielded the kick off and a flowing move was finished off by a Jon Pease try. McIntyre then added another to make it three tries in three minutes before Ashley Mann ran in another from long distance. Russell Milsom slotted his fourth conversion to bring the score to 28-0. However Liskeard rallied and there was no further scoring before half time.
Hornets were able to make several changes at half time and continued to dominate after the break, but Liskeard defended bravely and held out until McIntyre held off several defenders to complete his hat trick after 50 minutes. Further changes saw McIntyre moved into the centre. He was able to use the move to his advantage; scoring two further tries and make his afternoon’s total five
Newquay Hornets Team:
Mark Headland, Dan Taylor (Tyrone James), Matt Mockford, Jason Wells (Martin Pearce), Aaron McPherson (Richard Martin), Simon Barnes (Levi Gustafson), Ben Ambridge, Scott McLean (Matt White), Lee Ambridge (Craig Daniell), Milo Berkeley (Lee Pascoe), Ashley Mann, Matt Cross (Adam Rainey), John Pease (Bret Stevens), Rob McIntyre, Russel Milsom (Ben Eustice)
Newquay Hornets Scorers:
Tries Rob McIntyre (5), 14,18,50,56 and 70, mins
John Pease, 16 mins
Ashley Mann 20 mins
Conversions Russel Milsom (4), Lee Pascoe
Newquay Hornets Youth 17 Falmouth Youth 32
One of the few matches played this weekend turned out to be quite a frosty affair and not the friendly encounter expected for young Hornets colts, when Falmouth came to Newquay.
Hornets need all the practice they can get if they are to keep their playoff chances alive. They are the youngest Colts in the competition.
Freddy Cash left the Falmouth backs chasing their tails when he had it away on his toes from the blind side of a scrum early in the first half for the opening try. Tom Heayel added the extras. Then Falmouth scored two converted tries in quick succession to stun the Newquay youngsters. A third try gave Falmouth a 19-7 half time lead.
In the second half Romey Vassell made his presence felt in a rare appearance for the home side. He scored two unconverted tries. Ed Aldridge, also at home for New Year, made a big impression in the pack
Falmouth added another converted try before tempers flared and an unsavoury incident saw a Falmouth player sent off for an early bath. Feathers remained ruffled up to the final whistle. Falmouth added two penalties to their tally before the final whistle came as blessed relief to players and spectators alike.
Newquay Hornets Scorers:
Tries Romey Vassell (2), Freddy Cash
Conversion Tom Heayel
Newquay Hornets Team: James Alexander, Tom Bradley, Ed Broom, Freddy Cash, Richard Cawley, Nathan Gasiorowski, Tom Heayel, Dan Hinton, Pat Hoare, Dan Pearce, Tom Powell, Tim Robey, Warren Rumble, Ed Stigle, Tom Summers, Romey Vassell, Max White, Joe Wilson, Ed Aldridge
Saturday, 3rd January 2009
Hayle 13 Newquay Hornets 10
Cornwall Cup, Preliminary Round
Hornets travelled to Hayle on Saturday to play their rearranged tie against the side relegated from Western Counties West last season. In the event Hayle’s second half performance won them a game that at half time looked to be going the way of the Hornets.
Hornets turned down an early opportunity to kick at goal, instead it was Hayle’s fly half, Paul Lello who kicked a penalty to put his side three points up after five minutes. Within a few minutes the Hornets forwards drove into the Hayle twenty-two for Matt Cross to give Ashley Mann the scoring pass for visitors’ first try. There was a let off for the Hornets when Lello missed a kickable penalty after 15 minutes, but he made no mistake with another opportunity at the end of the first quarter to put Hayle a point ahead. Good play from Cullen and Cross forced a penalty for Hornets near the Hayle twenty-two and the forwards created the platform from the ensuing lineout for the ball to be swung right through three pairs of hands to flanker, Tim Eustice, who went in for the try.
Turning around 10-6 up the Hornets lost their way. Despite possession from scrum and lineout throughout the half, it was Hayle who were the more confident in possession and who made the most of their opportunities. They ran the ball at the Hornets and supported well. Lello kept his line moving and after a last ditch tackle from Hornets wing, Ashley Mann had prevented what seemed to be a certain try, Hayle put wing, Neil Mitchell in for a try that proved to be the decisive score. Lello converted. In the last quarter Hayle’s running rugby nearly got them another try and for all their efforts Hornets just couldn’t get the points they needed for victory. They turned down another kickable penalty opportunity and drove the ball over the Hayle line to be called back for the scrum five. They drove again only to lose the ball and Hayle cleared, to secure a deserved win.
Hornets will be hoping that the dreadful run of injuries and unavailabilities that has seen them field twelve different centre pairings and seven half back combinations this season can be put behind them. They get back to league action when they travel to Bencoolen Meadow to play Bude on Saturday. Kick off is at 2:30 pm. A coach will leave the Sports Centre at 1145 am.
Scorers:
Hayle
Try Neil Mitchell
Conversion Paul Lello
Penalties Paul Lello (2)
Newquay Hornets
Tries Ashley Mann, Tim Eustice
Newquay Hornets Team: Simon Lutey (Kris Wicketts), Luke Bazeley, Alex Bazeley (James Bayley), Ross Robins Ashley Cotton, Tim Eustice, Luke Mansfield, Stuart Williams, Ryan Johns (Craig Daniell), Sam Cullen (Simon Horton), Ashley Mann, Matt Cross, Jon Pease, Rob McIntyre, Simon Horton (Ryan Johns)
Newquay Hornets Seconds 24 Saltash Seconds 15
Merit Table
Hornets’ preparations for this top of the Merit Table clash at the Sports Centre were aided by the availability of several players at home from university for the Christmas break, this and the return of some injured regulars gave the home side a strong look or the encounter with Saltash. The visitors though were able to take an early lead with a well-struck penalty, however from the kick off a series of strong carries from the Hornets set up a scrum in the Saltash half. Number eight Scott McLean picked up and fed Scrum Half Lee Ambridge who darted down the blind side to score his second try in two games. The home side continued to apply pressure with strong ball carrying in particular by McLean, Saltash's brave defence was finally broken when centre Frazier Kellythorne crashed through a gap to score, Andy Webster bagging the conversion. The visitors managed to hit back before half time, their nippy winger latching on to a chip to score in the corner.
Half time saw a mass of substitutions from Hornets, but the half saw little change in the run of play, the Hornets enjoyed the bulk of possession but were thwarted by strong defence and their own handling errors. However Paul Martin, Ben Ambridge and Richard Martin continued to make ground with their strong ball carrying and Paul Martin was able to crash over the try-line on the hour mark to increase the lead. Lee Ambridge then finished off a series of drives to score his second of the match. Although Simon Barnes was held up over the try-line the Hornets were unable to stretch their lead and Saltash scored another try from a chip over the top to narrow the gap. This was the last score and the final winning margin probably gave a far reflection of the match.
Hornets’ scorers:
Tries Lee Ambridge (2), Frazier Kellythorne, Paul Martin
Conversions Andy Webster (2)
Mark Headland Dan Taylor Matt Mockford (John Paris) Jason Wells (Richard Martin) Aaron McPhearson (Paul Martin) Matt Whiten (Dan Rourge) Ben Ambridge (Levi Gustafson) Scott McLean (Ben Ambridge) Lee Ambridge (Ben Eustice) Andy Webster (Milo Berkeley) Steve Benney (Martin Pearce) Tom Bazeley Frazier Kellythorne (Jack Hutton) Bret Stevens (Simon Barnes) Ben Eustice (Anthony Whyte)
Newquay Hornets Youth 0 Wadebridge Camels Youth 45
Colts County Cup
The first match of the New Year always looked to be a difficult one for the Young Newquay Colts, facing the older and much more experienced Wadebridge Camels. The brilliant sunshine epitomized the ever optimistic and courageous Hornets as they ran downhill from their changing room. The icy nip in the air that greeted them on the Hornets’ main pitch emanated from the large Wadebridge huddle, just waiting to spoil the day. Nevertheless, the youngsters threw themselves into the match wholeheartedly and had the Camels really struggling to get down to the Hornets’ end. They did, however, manage a couple of tries bringing the score to 12-0 at half time, but not before a long kick that was touched down behind the line by Joe Wilson was disallowed.
The second half continued full of controversy. The next Wadebridge try was, in truth, a dropped ball, fiercely contested by the Hornets and a confusing 5th try given resulted from a ball that had been placed down by Hornet Tom Summers. The Referee unfortunately for the Hornets, declined to refer to the Video-Ref. With a lot of bad blood boiling over, the Hornets threw their all into tackling and obstructing the massive Camels best they could, but after a while and with no fresh legs, the Newquay lads gradually started to flag. Richard Cawley put up a fine show on his first outing this season since dislocating both his shoulder and elbow. Ed Broom made his presence felt and thwarted several very large, aspiring try scorers, but with all fresh subs being put on by Wadebridge in the last 15 mins, they ran 3 tries past the weary Newquay lads in fast succession bringing the closing score to a disappointing and undeserved 45 to nil. Better luck next week when the Newquay Hornet Colts meet Falmouth at home.
Team: James Alexander, Ed Broom, Matt Cann, Freddy Cash, Richard Cawley, Liam Freeman, Nathan Gasiorowski, Tom Heayel, Dan Hinton, Pat Hoare, Chesney King, Dan Pearce, Tom Powell, Tim Robey, Warren Rumble, Ed Stigle, Tom Summers, Joe Wilson.
Saturday, 27th December 2008
Newquay Hornets 43 Chairman’s XV 20
The bright sunshine brought out a good crowd for Hornets’ traditional Christmas club versus Chairman’s XV match at the Sports Centre on Saturday. There was a yuletide haul of eleven tries to warm the spectators; seven to the club and four to the Chairman’s team in the 43-20 club win.
Despite much endeavour, both sides spent the first half running off the Christmas fayre. It was 5-5 at the interval. Jon Pease had snapped up a fumble in the Chairman’s defence to score the opening try on 17 minutes, after a clearance kick from his No 8 Tim Eustice bounced awkwardly. On 35 minutes after good work from Ryan Johns, young Colts’ wing Dan Pearce, took a lovely pass from Gareth Biddle on the left to show the club’s defence a clean pair of heels and sprint sixty metres to bring it level.
The second half was a total contrast. The club scored four tries in the third quarter. It took five minutes for the club pack to create the position from which Luke Bazeley went over. Good handling in the club backs saw Andy Dixon touch down and Scott Martin broke through the Chairman’s defence for another. Marc Richards rounded off a sweeping movement with the club’s fifith try.
Just when it looked as if the Chairman’s team were out of it, they produced three tries of their own. Ryan John’s dotted down in the left corner; Olly Yelland charged through the centre to set up the try for Jack Hutton and Paul Martin finished off the passing movement of the match to make it 31-20 with ten minutes to play.
The club replied almost immediately. The forwards drove the ball to the Chairman’s line and flanker, Josh Gray touched down. Then Ashley Mann profited from a mistake out wide on the left to make the club’s try count seven. Sam Cullen converted four of the club’s second half tries.
Afterwards the annual Christmas gathering gave players and spectators the opportunity to get together with friends at the bar. The club retained the Steve Taylor Trophy and Ashley Mann accepted it on their behalf. Ruth Swanson presented the Dominic Swanson Trophy to man of the match, club flanker Josh Gray.
Scorers:
Newquay Hornets
Tries Luke Bazeley, Andy Dixon, Josh Gray, Ashley Mann, Scott Martin, Jon Pease, Marc Richards
Conversions Sam Cullen (4)
Chairman’s XV
Tries Jack Hutton, Ryan Johns, Paul Martin, Dan Pearce
Newquay Hornets Team: Matt Mockford, Luke Bazeley, Alex Bazeley, Scott Trayner, Aaron McPherson, Josh Gray, Ben Ambridge, Tim Eustice, Lee Ambridge, Sam Cullen, Ashley Mann, Matt Cross, Jon Pease, Tom Heayel, Andy Dixon, Scott Martin, Russel Milson, Mark Headland, Marc Richards, Ashely Cotton, Dan Pearce, Quentin Marcus
Chairman’s XV Team: Harry Swetman, Tyrone James, Paul Martin, Richard Martin, Jason Taylor, Ant Harmes, Ben Griffiths, Olly Yelland, Ryan Johns, Scott Lehnhoff, Dan Pearce, Rob Philp, Carl Grace, Matt Robins, Gareth Biddle, Aaron Pearson, Liam Freeman, Max Rundle, Levi Gustufson, Jack Hutton, Andy Webster, Lewis Bowns
On Saturday Hornets travel to Hayle to play the preliminary round of the Cornwall Cup. Kick off is at 2:00pm.
The Second XV is at home to Saltash Seconds in the Merit Table. The Youth XV is also fixtured to play at the Sports Centre against Wadebrodge Camels Youth in cup.
Saturday, 20th December 2008
Newquay Hornets 13 Wadebridge Camels 41
Tribute Western Counties West League
The visitors played the better rugby throughout at the Sports Centre. They trailed 6-3 at the interval, but scored five tries after the break to run away from the home side.
Kicking off with the wind, Hornets competed for the first period, but could not string together much positive attacking play. Camels kept the ball in hand and ran it at the Hornets. As in the previous week, the boot of fly half, Simon Horton put them on the scoreboard and Josh Taylor replied once for Camels.
The pivotal moment came just after halftime when Hornets prop Alex Bazeley was sent to the sin bin. Josh Taylor kicked the penalty to bring Camels level. Within the ten-minute period Camels upped the tempo and overwhelmed the hard-working home defence to score three tries and put the result beyond doubt. First wing Alisdair MacLellan took a pass out on the right and ran through the home defence to score under the posts. Then bustling scrum half, Shaun Hawkey took a scoring pass and finally full back, Dan Briskham brushed off tackles to come off the left wing to touch down under the posts. Hornets’ woes were compounded by injuries to centre Tom Bazeley and his replacement Adam Rainey, who left the field with concussion.
At the end of the third quarter, Hornets responded with one of their few attacks of the half. From a scrum on Camels five-metre line, Simon Horton put full back Andy Dixon into a gap for a consolation try under the posts. Horton converted.
Camels hadn’t finished. On 63 minutes their combative back row fashioned a try for Matt Angwin from half way and with ten minutes left young fly half Josh Taylor gave Sam Stone a lovely inside pass on the Hornets twenty-two for the flanker to cross under the posts. Taylor brought his match tally to 16 points with the five second-half conversions.
The home pack competed well at the set piece, but Hornets could not cope with the aggression and support play of their visitors. For Camels the back row were excellent, the halfback pairing of Hawkey and Taylor ran the game.
This weekend’s result sees Hornets slip to sixth place as Tiverton beat Bude 19-0 at home. The Christmas holiday will provide a welcome opportunity to rest the mountain of injuries for the first league encounter of 2009, which is away against Bude on 10th January 2009. Before that, Hornets travel to Hayle on 3rd January 2009 for the rearranged preliminary round of the Cornwall Cup.
On Saturday, 27th December 2008, not on Boxing Day, the Club plays the annual holiday fixture against the Chairman’s XV for the Steve Taylor Cup at the Sports Centre. After the match, there will be the traditional get-together in the Bar.
Scorers:
Newquay Hornets Try Dixon
Conversion Horton
Penalties Horton (2)
Wadebridge Camels Tries MacLellan, S Hawkey, Briskham, Angwin, Stone
Conversions Taylor (5)
Penalties Taylor (2)
Newquay Hornets Team: Simon Lutey, Luke Bazeley, Alex Bazeley, Andy Burbidge, Ashley Ross Robins, Luke Mansfield, Josh Gray, Tim Eustice (Ashley Cotton), March Richards, Simon Horton, Rob McIntyre, Tom Bazeley (Adam Rainey (Tim Eustice)), Rob Ley, James Ingle, Andy Dixon,
Wadebridge Camels Thirds 37 Newquay Hornets Seconds 15
Hornets arrived at Wadebridge after two weeks of weather-induced inactivity hoping to extend their lead in the Merit Table. However the Camel's second team were without a fixture and strengthened by their reinforcements Camels were able to avenge their defeat earlier in the season.
In an even first half the Hornets defence led by centre Jon Pease and debutant winger Brett Stevens held up well under some early pressure before prop, Matt Mockford had the ball stripped from his grasp in the act of opening the scoring. Soon after though, Andy Webster took advantage of further pressure to kick a penalty. From the kick off scrum half Lee Ambridge scooped up a loose ball in the Newquay half and outpaced the Camels defence before tying the full back in knots to score under the posts, surprisingly this was his first ever try. Camels came back strongly and Hornets were disappointed when former teammate Mark Hill crossed to leave the half time score at 10-5.
The Camels levelled the scores from the kick off but Hornets fought back to earn a long-range penalty kick, which Webster pushed wide. However Ashley Mann followed up the kick and reacted more quickly than the defence to touch the ball down for a try.
The sapping conditions and a long first half began to tell on the Newquay side, while a flood of substitutes buoyed the Camels. They were able to increase the pressure scoring five more tries in the last twenty minutes to give the score line an unflattering look for the visitors.
Newquay Hornets Scorers: Tries Lee Ambridge, Ashley Mann
Conversion Andy Webster
Penalty Andy Webster
Saturday, 13th December 2008
Newquay Hornets 14 Devonport Services 10
Tribute Western Counties West League
Badly in need of a win after a string of away defeats, the Hornets left it late to take the points in this rearranged league match at the Sports Centre. It turned out to be a war of attrition in raw temperatures on a surface made very soft and slippery by the heavy overnight rain.
Services provided the better passing and support work, as they made the most of the stiff breeze at their backs to lead 3-10 at the interval. Services scrum half, Matt Anstis opened the scoring with a penalty after twenty minutes. Within two minutes he had converted a well-taken try, scored by wing, Morgan Andrews and set up by an inside pass from flanker Martin Brown, after a kick down the right wrong-footed the home defence. On the half hour, Hornets’ fly half, Simon Horton reduced the visitors’ lead with a penalty.
Services ran the ball at the Hornets from the restart and again looked more confident with the ball in hand. However with the wind at its back, the Hornets pack gradually asserted itself, to pin the visitors close to their line for several prolonged periods. Following the first of these, at the end of the third quarter, Horton again reduced Services lead. On 70 minutes he nudged his team to within a point of Services with his third penalty. Then with five minutes remaining, a forceful run by Hornets’ flanker, Luke Mansfield set up a ruck in the Services twenty-two. Hornets were awarded a penalty, they opted to kick for position, won the ensuing lineout and with their tails up they drove the maul over for prop, Simon Lutey to score the try that won them the match.
Stand-in scrum half Steve Potter laid his body on the line for the Hornets and new boy, Rob Ley brought a depth of experience to the back-division on his home debut, and Ross Robins and Simon Lutey came off the bench in the second half to add weight to the final push. After the match, team manager, Steve Bazeley welcomed the much-needed victory and praised the team effort and particularly the contributions of the substituted Kris Wicketts and Ashley Cotton.
Scorers: Newquay Hornets, Try, Simon Lutey, Penalties, Simon Horton (3)
Devonport Services Try, Morgan Andrews, Conversion, Matt Anstis
Penalty, Matt Anstis
Newquay Hornets Team: Kris Wicketts (Simon Lutey), Luke Bazeley, Alex Bazeley, Andy Burbidge, Ashley Cotton (Ross Robins), Luke Mansfield, Josh Gray, Stuart Williams, Steve Potter, Simon Horton, Ashley Mann, Tom Bazeley, Rob Ley, Adam Rainey, Andy Dixon, Jon Pease
At the half way point in the season Hornets are fifth in the league on twelve points, two points behind third and fourth placed Wadebridge Camels and Ivybridge.
There’s a real local derby at the Sports Centre on Saturday. The Hornets need all their supporters on the touchline for the return league fixture against Wadebridge Camels. Kick off is at 2:30pm.
Bude Youth 5 Newquay Hornets Youth 29
The Hornets lads made a welcome return to Bude after an absence spanning several seasons, due to their pitches being flooded by the adjacent river. Although it was a brisk, sunny day the going remained heavy underfoot. Still plagued with injuries, the Hornets only managed to make up a squad of 14, which included the loan of Budes’ Steve Bromwich. Always eager to rise to a challenge, they agreed to play a full strength Bude side of mainly second year Colts.
From the start a much fitter Hornets side went on the attack, piling on the pressure and tiring out the Bude boys with a lot of running about. Pat Hoare, courageously tackling his way through his best game of the season, was cruelly denied a try after belting uncontested up half the pitch, only to be felled within a hair’s breadth of the try line. Not long after, following a line out in the opposition’s half, James Alexander deftly intercepted a pass from the Bude scrum half and had no trouble sprinting up the middle for a try. Liam Freeman was very unlucky to hit the upright with his conversion attempt. A few minutes later Bude’s No 7, Johnny Stevens scored and then also bizarrely hit the upright, leaving the half time score at 5-5.
In the first lineout of the second half Alexander intercepted again, only to have his try disallowed. Undeterred, the Hornets persisted in their endeavors to unsettle the older lads. Chesney King, Tom Bradley and Ed Broom stoically anchored the scrums, where Bude held a 15 stone plus advantage. Joe Wilson was then able to score two of his trademark, plough-through tries against his old team. The first came from a ball that was wrestled out of a ruck by the joint efforts of Pat Hoare and Ed Stigle. Not long after, his second try came from a precision pass from another ex-Bude boy, Tom Summers. Freeman converted the second try, but the sticky mud made any kicking a precarious activity. However he also converted the next try that Matt Cann had fought so hard to score throughout the second half. With the last few minutes remaining, Alex Mellors’ bid for a try was thwarted went he fell awkwardly in a tackle and found out later he had broken his collar-bone. Warren Rumble, who also used to play for Bude, scored the final try of the match. Nathan Gasiorowski kicked the conversion.
Next Saturday the Youth XV plays at home in the cup against Launceston
Newquay Hornets Scorers: Tries, Joe Wilson (2), James Alexander, Matt Cann, Warren Rumble
Conversions, Liam Freeman, Nathan Gasiorowski
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Team: James Alexander, Tom Bradley, Ed Broom, Matt Cann, Liam Freeman, Nathan Gasiorowski, Pat Hoare, Chesney King, Alex Mellor, Warren Rumble, Ed Stigle, Tom Summers & Joe Wilson
Saturday, 6th December 2008
Saturday, 28th March 2009
Minehead Barbarians 13 Newquay Hornets 10
Tribute Western Counties West League
Hornets made the long journey to Minehead with a strong side to take on the side they had beaten well at home earlier in the season. For the third time on their travels this season, they suffered frustration as they let a half time lead slip and went down by a narrow margin, this time to a side missing five first choice players.
Hornets didn’t make the best of starts, they gave away field position from the kick off and were three points down inside two minutes, when Simon Avison put over a penalty for the home side. Within ten minutes Rob Ley had put Hornets on terms, and after 25 minutes an excellent solo try from No.8 and captain Stuart Williams put the visitors into the lead. Williams picked up from a scrum in the Barbarians twenty-two and with a hand–off and dummy went over for Rob Ley to add the extras.
Turning around 10-3 up, Hornets got sucked into a kicking game on a pitch that sloped from touchline to touchline.
With most of the match being played along the lower touch, they just didn’t use the width of the field to release the pace of James Ingle, Rob McIntyre and Dan Pearce. Unable to consolidate their lead, Hornets let the Barbarians back into the match. Midway through the half, home full back Joe Waterman came into the line to score a try. The conversion hit the post to give Hornets a let off. Then with time running out, home scrum half, Danny Bishop picked up at a scrum and darted over on the blind side to give his side a win they didn’t expect.
For the Hornets, Josh Grey played well on his first outing as hooker and Craig Daniell gave an assured performance at scrum half. Liam Freeman came on in the second half for Tom Bazeley at fly half and did well.
Despite being in mid-table where they hoped they would be after promotion in successive seasons, having let another win slip away, Hornets will want to close out the season with wins in their remaining matches. They play their last home league match against second placed Ivybridge at the Sports Centre on Saturday. Kick off is at 3:00pm. The club’s Vice Presidents are invited to a complimentary lunch before the match (from 1230). The club photograph for sides except Youth will be taken at 1:30 pm. The final league match of the season is away to Devonport Services on Saturday, 18th April 2009.
Scorers:
Minehead Barbarians
Tries Danny Bishop, Joe Waterman
Penalty Simon Avison
Newquay Hornets
Try Stuart Williams
Conversion Rob Ley
Penalty Rob Ley
Hornets
Newquay Hornets Team: Alex Bazeley (Simon Lutey), Josh Gray, James Bayley, Andy Burbidge, Ross Robins, Lee Woodhatch, Luke Mansfield, Stuart Williams (Scott Martin), Craig Daniell, Tom Bazeley(Liam Freeman), Rob McIntyre, Scott Martin(George Ferris), Rob Ley, James Ingle, Dan Pearce
On Friday evening, Hornets Youth entertain tourists, Frampton Cotterell at the Sports Centre. Kick off is at 6:00pm.
On Sunday the Youth have an 11:00am kick off against Braintree.
St Day 29 Newquay Hornets Seconds 24
Newquay Hornets travelled to their friendly with a much-changed team on Saturday. The new outfit never really gelled and was given a tough time on St Day's challenging pitch. The home side boasted a massive pack and they used this to their advantage, keeping the ball close to the breakdown and kicking for territory. They were to open the scoring with a try from close range after 13 minutes. However the Hornets then enjoyed their best period of the game. Securing some possession for the first time, the visitors produced a backs move finished by Tim Grainger in the corner. Soon afterwards Grainger produced another fine run and fed scrum half, Jordan Henwood, who scored between the posts. The remainder of the first half passed without any excitement until on the stroke of half time, when Henwood tapped a quick penalty and beat several tackles for a score from his own half.
In the second half the Hornets were unable to secure any possession as the St Day forwards built up a head of steam. The home side scored four tries without reply all from close range. The Hornets did have the last word as Henwood scored another opportunist try to complete his hat trick on his first senior start.
Scorers
St Day
Tries (5)
Conversions (2)
Newquay Hornets
Tries Tim Granger 16, Jordan Henwood (3) 19, 42, 78
Conversions Adam Rainey (2)
Newquay Hornets Team
Mark Headland (c), Mark Poole, Paul Martin, Aaron McPhearson, Matt White, Warren Brundle (colt), Joe Wilson (colt) (Martin Pearce 60), Ben Ambridge, Jordan Henwood (colt), Ashley Mann
Tim Granger (Mike Cash 40), Bret Stevens, Matt Vincent, Adam Rainey, Ben Eustice
Tuesday, 24th March 2009
Newquay Hornets Seconds 94 Bodmin Seconds 0
Cornwall Merit Table
The Hornets put in one of their best performances of the season under the floodlights on Tuesday night. In a fiercely contested first half the Hornets produced some flowing rugby and battered away at the Bodmin defence relentlessly. They were soon rewarded when No. 8, Tim Eustice found himself with some quick ball and crossed for the first try. The home side's forwards dominated possession and their backs were able to cash in. First Eustice scored his second at the end of a tidy move, before Adam Rainey scorched through the defence after a Bodmin clearance kick had missed touch. Centre Jon Pease then added two more tries to his season's tally before half time. After the break the defending of the first half seemed to take it's toll on Bodmin. Hornets were able to run the ball at will, with Lee Ambridge and Liam Freeman, in particular, cutting the visitors to shreds. First Ambridge ran in an individual try from his own half, before Freeman followed suit. Then from the kick off prop, John Hall made a powerful surge from his own half before putting Andy Burbidge away for another score. Ambridge scored again before a high tackle on Freeman led to a penalty try. There was another try for Rainey after George Ferris was stopped just short of the line. Ferris scored tries Scott Trayner before the highlight of the match; Freeman broke away again beating several tackles, although he was caught on the twenty two his overhead pass found substitute Martin Pearce who side-stepped a defender to score between the posts. Flanker Matt White finished the scoring by converting his own try shortly before the final whistle.
Newquay Hornets scorers
Tries
Tim Eustice (3) 7, 16, 47, John Peese (2) 20, 30, Adam Rainey (2) 25, 63, Lee Ambridge (2) 43, 61, Liam Freeman 45, George Ferris 67, Andy Burbidge 52, Scott Trayner 58, Martin Pearce 70, Matt White 73
Penalty try 50
Conversions
Lee Ambridge (7)
Newquay Hornets Team
John Hall, Mark Headland (c), Paul Martin, Aaron McPhearson, Jason Wells (Andy Burbidge 50),
Matt White, Ashley Cotton (Scott Trayner 40), Tim Eustice, Lee Ambridge, Milo Berkeley (Liam Freeman 40), Ashley Mann, George Ferris, John Pease (Adam Rainey 50), Adam Rainey (Martin Pearce 50), Ben Eustice
Saturday, 21st March 2009
Newquay Hornets Seconds 60 Falmouth Seconds 5
The Hornets were pleased to welcome a depleted Falmouth side to the Sports Centre on Saturday. The eleven players, who gamely travelled to fulfil the fixture, were augmented by some of the Hornets’ youngsters. Hornets were predictably on the attack from the kick off and opened the scoring after just five minutes. A series of drives by the forwards set up a try for flanker Matt White, his first for the club. White nearly doubled his tally after a long run, but Rod Jackson running the touch saw a foot out and ruled out the score. Hornets were not to be denied though, and Jason Wells soon burrowed over to score. Newquay had already used the conditions to their advantage and produced some good running rugby when hooker Josh Gray began a one man demolition of the visitors either side of half-time, his hard running performance earned him five tries as Falmouth struggled to bring him down. Second row Ashley Cotton then got in on the act with a close range score before fly half Milo Berkley finished the scoring weaving through the defence from his own half for an individual try, allowing Lee Ambridge to slot his fifth conversion.
Newquay Hornets Youth 13 Penryn Youth 65
County Colts Cup
Three players short, the Hornets borrowed three players from the opposition and were comprehensively beaten, eleven tries to two.
Newquay Hornets scorers: Tries Liam Freeman, Joe Henwood
Penalty Liam Freeman
Newquay Hornets players who turned out:
Tom Bradley, Tom Summers, Ed Broom, Dan Hinton, Warren Rumble, Joe Wilson, Jordan Henwood, Liam Freeman, A Mellor, Tim Robey, Freddy Cash, Matt Cann
The Youth XV has no match next weekend.
Saturday, 14th March 2009
Newquay Hornets 18 Hornets 14
Tribute Western Counties West League
Having lost to their visitors in the last seconds of the encounter at Weston-Super-Mare earlier in the season, Newquay expected a close match. Home advantage proved decisive. Newquay scored two tries to their visitors’ one, as they clung on to a slender four-point lead to make it honours even for the season. In many ways the match reflected Newquay’s performance at Tiverton on the previous Saturday. Having started well, they weren’t able to build on their good approach play; and as with the match against Hornets at Hutton Moor in September, they were put under pressure in key situations by their inability to get the ball away cleanly from the base of the scrum.
Playing into the stiff breeze Newquay started brightly and after Rob Ley ran strongly into the Hornets’ twenty-two the forwards drove to the goal line for Josh Gray to pick up and dive over for the first try. Sam Cullen added the extras.
Hornets used the wind well to force the home side back into their half. However the back three James Ingle, Ashley Mann and George Ferris were equal to the aerial bombardment. Some big touch clearances gave Hornets field position in the Newquay half and two home infringements were punished by full back Sam Lloyd Jones to narrow the gap to one point at half time.
Hornets started the better after the break. They kept possession until they forced their way down the left into the Newquay twenty-two. When the home defence held, it was Lloyd Jones who popped up to slot a drop goal and put his side ahead. Newquay replied with several concerted phases of attacking play. They pounded away at the Hornets line until, on 52 minutes, second row Ross Robins was put through a gap in the defence for a try. Cullen missed the conversion by a whisker. Within minutes having forced a scrum to their advantage on their twenty-tow metre line, a loose ball squirted out the side of the home set piece. Hornets snaffled it and put prop Josh Partridge in for a try to grab the lead again for the visitors.
It took nearly ten minutes for Newquay to pressure the Hornets line again and force a penalty, which Cullen put over to give them the lead. After Stuart Williams had seized on a Rob Ley clearance to burst into the Hornets’ twenty-two, the visitors played the ball on the ground and Cullen put over his second penalty with four minutes of normal time remaining. The Hornets back row ran at the home defence and there was some desperate Newquay defending as the referee played out over six minutes of injury time.
Team manager, Steve Bazeley was pleased with the way the team started the match and said afterwards that there were glimmers of the sort of rugby Newquay wanted to play; but he conceded that it couldn’t be champagne rugby every week. The win keeps Newquay in fifth place with three matches remaining.
Scorers:
Newquay Hornets
Tries Josh Gray, Ross Robins
Conversion Sam Cullen
Penalty Sam Cullen (2)
Hornets
Try Josh Partridge
Drop Goal Sam Lloyd Jones
Penalties Sam Lloyd Jones (2)
Newquay Hornets Team: Alex Woodley, Dan Taylor, Alex Bazeley, Andy Burbidge (Scott Trayner), Ross Robins, Josh Gray, Luke Mansfield, Stuart Williams, Sam Cullen, Tom Bazeley, George Ferris (Liam Freeman), Scott Martin, Rob Ley, Ashley Mann, James Ingle, Substitute not used Matt Mockford
There is no first team fixture on Saturday. On Saturday, 28th March Newquay travel to Somerset to take on Minehead Barbarians. On Saturday the Seconds are at home to Falmouth and the Youth XV takes on Penryn at the Sports Centre in the Colts Cup.
The Vice Presidents’ Lunch, postponed in January, has now been rescheduled for Saturday, 4th April 2009.
Penryn Seconds 12 Newquay Hornets Seconds 17
Newquay Hornets returned to winning ways with a much-improved performance against Penryn on Saturday. The Hornets pushed the home side back from the kick off. Sustained pressure saw skipper Mark Headland crash over from close range to give Hornets the lead after only five minutes. Penryn attempted to hit back straight away but strong Hornets’ defence, with second row, Ashley Cotton especially prominent, kept them out until shortly before half time when their full back took advantage of a disorganised defence to level the scores.
With the scores level at the break, Hornets again started more brightly and were unfortunate not to score, when first Antony Whyte and then Jordan Henwood were stopped just short of the line. Wing, Adam Rainey then had a try disallowed due to an injury to flanker Gus Gustaffson, who was carried off at Penryn for the second time this season. However the Hornets got the try they deserved when scrum half, Lee Ambridge burgled the ball from a Penryn scrum, he was stopped just short but was able to recycle the ball and allow his brother Ben to get the score. Penryn were again able to mount a series of attacks on the Newquay line and thought they had salvaged a draw with a try five minutes from time. However straight from the kick off a series of strong drives from Newquay allowed fly Half Tom Heayel to free Tim Eustice, who completed his return from injury to score the clinching try in the corner.
Saturday, 7th March 2009
Tiverton 18 Newquay Hornets 13
Tribute Western Counties West League
Hornets travelled to Tiverton having recorded wins in the sides’ two previous encounters this season. In a match that was there for the taking, Tiverton wanted it more. Hornets will be disappointed with their performance.
Starting the better, Hornets made the most of Tivvy mistakes. After 25 minutes a dropped pass in midfield was snapped up by the Hornets backs and Rob McIntyre was sent in for the try wide out on the right. Soon afterwards a kick downfield deceived the Tivvy fullback Tom Heard and Rob Ley was on hand to pick up the ball and go over for a try to make it 10-0. Hornets just couldn’t hold on to their lead and they let points leak away. Soon after the restart, Tiverton sent in wing, Barney Bell for a try and Steve Cockram kicked a penalty to make it 10-8 at half time.
After the interval Tiverton upped their game. Heard made up for his earlier lapse, when he put Bell in for his second try of the match. Cockram converted to make it 15-10. Hornets were chasing the game and just couldn’t find another try scoring opportunity. Close to the end of normal time, Sam Cullen put over a penalty to narrow the gap to two points. However Tivvy came back and forced an infringement in the Hornets twenty-two for Cockram to hammer in the final nail six minutes into injury time.
Hornets will view this as an opportunity missed. They remain in fifth place in the league, but a win would have seen them close the gap on Wadebridge Camels and Kingsbridge, who also slipped up away over the weekend.
Scorers:
Tiverton
Tries Barney Bell (2)
Conversions Steve Cockram
Penalties Steve Cockram (2)
Newquay Hornets
Tries Rob Ley, Rob McIntyre
Penalty Sam Cullen
Newquay Hornets Team: James Bayley, Alex Woodley, Alex Bazeley, Andy Burbidge, Ashley Cotton (Scott Trayner), Josh Gray, Luke Mansfield, Stuart Williams, Sam Cullen, Tom Bazeley, Scott Martin, Rob Ley, George Ferris (Ashley Mann), Rob McIntyre, James Ingle, Substitute not used Kris Wicketts
There has been good news from Australia. Hornets’ hooker, Luke Bazeley, who recently emigrated to play rugby down under, was named man of the match after his first appearance for his new club. Good on ya Luke!
It will be a report writer’s nightmare on Saturday; Newquay Hornets entertain Hornets (from Weston-Super-Mare) at the Sports Centre, kick off is at 3pm.
The Vice Presidents’ Lunch, postponed in January, has now been rescheduled for Saturday, 4th April 2009.
Newquay Hornets Youth 0 Perranporth Youth 41
County Colts Cup
No change to numbers this week, with the Hornets scraping together thirteen battle-weary Colts for the return local Derby. With Perranporth unreachable at the top of their pool, they agreed to lend fourth placed Hornets two of their players. The icy cold wind ensured that the pace was brisk and with the Hornets locked into defensive mode, twice hauling down the opposition inches short of the line, it took Perranporth the best part of the first half before they notched up their three tries.
Several more tries were thwarted in the second half onslaught. When an intervention from Perranporth sent their number 11 flying down the touchline towards what seemed to be a certain try, he was felled by a brilliant two-pronged tackle as if he were a collapsing chimney stack. That was as good as it was to get for Hornets, who were overwhelmed by a big team operating in top gear. However, the young Hornets never let their heads drop in defeat even though the older lads were punishing. Being a much larger, heavier pack, Perranporth went for a pushover try on more than one occasion, but Hornets held on heroically with all hands to the pump to stem the onward march.
Sadly, at the final whistle, the Hornets did not even have a point to show for all their efforts. The age difference was particularly noticeable when the visitors all drove off home in their own cars but the local lads had to get lifts with their parents.
The next match, against Launceston, will decide if the Hornets go through to the next round. It is on Saturday 14th March away at Launceston. Kick off 2.30 p.m.
Team: James Alexander, Tom Bradley, Ed Broom, Freddy Cash, Liam Freeman, Chesney King, Alex Mellor, Carl Phillips, Tom Powell, Tim Robey, Warren Rumble, Ed Stigle, Tom Summers Loans from Perranporth: Stuart Henderson and Royce Pen Kachan
Saturday, 28th February 2009
Roseland 32 Newquay Hornets Seconds 13
Cornwall Merit Table East Two
Hornets hopes in the Merit Table were seriously dented at Roseland on Saturday as the home side produced a fine performance to record their second win over their visitors this season.
Roseland were ahead within the first two minutes, after turning Hornets over from the kick off; quick hands resulted in a try in the corner. The home side continued to put on the pressure, their well-drilled forwards dominating possession and territory. However the visitor's defence held up well and limited them to just a penalty before half time. The Hornets threatened just once in the first half and this did result in a successful penalty by Lee Pascoe.
The Hornets improved after the break, strong running from Ben Ambridge and Scott Trayner allowed Pascoe to slot another penalty. This proved to be as close as they would get, Roseland replying straight away with a push over try. The home side then unleashed an attacking Blitzkrieg that led to three more tries inside ten minutes; their players were lining up to score as Hornets ran out of tacklers. The Hornets managed to fight back in the closing stages and were held up over the line on several occasions. In the dying seconds the backs were finally provided with some quality ball and after an Adam Rainey break, Jack Benney was put in to score a consolation try.
Newquay Hornets Scorers:
Try Jack Benney
Conversion Lee Pascoe
Penalties Lee Pascoe (2)
Newquay Hornets Team:
Mark Headland, Dan Taylor, John Paris, Aaron McPhearson (Gus Gustafson 60), Andy Burbidge, Ben Ambridge, Scott Trayner, Jason Wells (Martin Pearce 60), Craig Daniels, Lee Pascoe, Adam Rainey, George Ferris, John Pease (Jack Benny 60), Ashley Mann, Ben Eustice
Redruth Youth 51 Newquay Hornets Youth 24
Colts Cup match
The Hornets Under 17s Colts travelled down to the home of their old adversaries Redruth for the return match of the Cup, just managing a squad of fifteen. Redruth, spoilt for choice, having teams of Colts at three age groups, fielded most of their older and more experienced Under 18 team, expecting to totally crush the opposition. In the first half Hornets were stretched to the limits, finding it difficult to match the tactical superiority of the bigger boys. They were behind 36-0 at the break.
When play resumed, assuming the game was won, Redruth returned to the pitch without their South West and England players, having made all their substitutions. A game of two halves turned into a game of two teams for the Reds. Faced with the more familiar Redruth squad, the Hornets totally dominated the second half. Having stolen the ball in a Redruth lineout, Dan Hinton could not believe his luck when, after a fleeting moment of hesitation, he ran unopposed to the try line finally putting Hornets on the scoreboard. With the bit between their teeth, the lads dug into their bottomless pit of enthusiasm and passion to pull out that grit and determination that these Hornets Colts have made their own.
With renewed vigor, they played as a team should – together, and though the Reds forwards defended well they lacked the energy and inspiration of the Hornets pack. A flustered Redruth made too many mistakes and the Hornets were quick to turn each one to their advantage. Jordan Henwood found his form after a bout of glandular fever, scoring a hat trick within fifteen minutes, Dan Pearce converting two out of the three tries. Tim Robey was unlucky to have his try disallowed following a dispute over a puff of chalk. The Hornets also lost Liam Freeman, tweaking his hamstring. Redruth’s, Richard Kevern replaced him. The Hornets’ 24 points to Redruth’s 15 in the second half showed that, despite the promise of a healthy first half lead before Newquay struck, in the end the Reds struggled to close the game out and it was as if a muted audience sensed their struggle.
Team: James Alexander, Tom Bradley, Ed Broom, Freddy Cash, Liam Freeman, Jordan Henwood, Pat Hoare, Dan Hinton, Chesney King, Alex Mellor, Dan Pearce, Tim Robey, Carl Phillips, Tom Powell, Warren Rumble. Second half loan from Redruth: Richard Kevern
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