Hornets narrowly miss out to leaders

Newquay Hornets 22, Cullompton 23

SPECTATORS were treated to a nail-biting encounter at the Sports Centre on Saturday in which the lead changed four times, writes Richard Trewella.

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 22 – and wing Mark Laskey went over at the corner for Cully.

Being 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 only 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 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 continued to threatened the Hornets' line, but the home defence held and at the end it was Hornets on the offensive.

Hornets' team manager Steve Bazeley was proud of his side's effort. He said: "They all stepped up and gave it all they had."

He applauded the leadership of stand-in skipper Simon Lutey, and debut performances of Ashley Cotton and Nathan Evans.

Newquay Hornets: 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.

Scorers: Hornets: Tries: Jason Caruana, Rob McIntyre; Pens: Sam Cullen (4). Cullompton: Tries: Mark Laskey (2), Marcus Busch; Con: Ross Toms; Pens: Ross Toms (2).

● This Saturday the Hornets are at home to Bude in the league (2.30pm at the Sports Centre).