ZAP, Kerpow, Splat! Not the new Batman film but Hornets’ staggering defensive effort which has seen them concede just two tries in 160 minutes of rugby, against two of the top teams in National League Two.
Following Sunday’s 38-8 mauling of Barrow Raiders, they annihilated Doncaster at Spotland on Wednesday.
Tough tackling and team-work provided the platform for victory with all 17 players contributing to the cause. Perhaps the most difficult task of the night fell to Hornets director Martin Shenton who had to choose the man of the match. He elected for hard-running second rower Jonathan Muir, a good choice, but there were six or seven others who ran him close.
Doncaster, as they left the field at the end of the match, looked shell-shocked. Rarely can a team have dropped the ball as much as they did, which owed much to Hornets aggressive approach, superb tackling and the intense pressure they applied.
Hornets coach Darren Shaw was pleased with the overall performance, but still expressed concern at his team’s completion rate. He said: "It was real good backing up after Sunday’s tough game, especially through the heat.
"The players responded really well. The defence was fantastic and I thought we forced the error on them and caused them some problems. There are still areas to work on –we only had a 60 per cent completion rate which was disappointing.
"But roll on Sunday (against Blackpool). We need to tighten up and hopefully keep improving. We identified this as being a real tough week for us so it would be nice to come through with maximum points and consolidate a finals spot. Once you are in the finals anything can happen. Our priority is Sunday so let’s see how we go."
Hornets went behind on two minutes to a Kyle Briggs’ penalty, but it was to be the last occasion on which Doncaster harboured thoughts of victory.
The home team sprung into action and a neat combination between Paul Rolls and Martin Ainscough gave Eric Andrews space to score out wide. Carl Sneyd converted.
Five minutes later, Wayne Reittie spilled a Rolls bomb and in the ensuing chaos Hornets were awarded a penalty in front of the sticks which Sneyd knocked over.
Another high kick from Rolls saw Chris Giles outjump the cover, grab the ball at the second attempt and dive to score. Sneyd made it a six-pointer.
Hornets squandered a few good chances and Doncaster, with the help of four penalties, launched wave after wave of attack. But the home defence was unyielding and the visitors were unable to find a way through.
One minute before the break, Ian Sinfield was stopped a foot from the line. A quick play the ball saw Janan Billings bring Wayne Corcoran on to a crash ball and he powered through to score. Sneyd’s kick gave Hornets a 20-2 interval lead.
Doncaster’s woes continued after the break as the ball was spilled deep in their own half. Hornets capitalised as, after a strong run from Muir, Billings nipped in from close range to score. Sneyd tagged on the two.
The visitors at last managed to break the Hornets defence, Reittie winning the chase for to reach Luke Gale’s kick. Gale converted.
It was a brief respite for the visitors as Corcoran and Andrews both went close. Sneyd slotted over a penalty, and on 63 minutes, Sam Butterworth calmly collected Rolls’ astute kick to touch down.
The try of the match followed seven minutes later when Rolls pirouetted his way past three tacklers then offloaded to Ainscough to score. Sneyd was again on target. By this stage Doncaster were waving the white flag and Mark Brocklehurst broke from the base of the scrum to set up a try for Sneyd, which he then converted. And, as the song from another new film Mamma Mia says: "Winner takes it All".
In the dying seconds, Ainscough skipped through on the right for his
second try of the night. Sneyd’s conversion brought up the half-century.
Hornets now travel to Fylde Rugby Union Club tomorrow to face Blackpool Panthers. And, while they will be on the crest of a wave, they will be keen to avoid any complacency as they seek to seal a play-off berth. The match kicks off at 3pm.
Match stats
HORNETS: Giles, Sneyd, Butterworth, Andrews, Ainscough, Rolls, Best, Corcoran, Robinson, Muir, Sinfield, Brocklehurst. Subs (all used); Billings, Samuels, Cunliffe, Newton. Tries: Andrews, Giles, Corcoran, Billings, Butterworth, Ainscough 2, Sneyd. Goals: Sneyd 9.
DONCASTER: Leaf, Bauer, Luisi, Jones, Reittie, Briggs, Gale, Castle, Wood, Lawton, Buttery, Green, Lawrie. Subs (all used): Alhalou, Hart, Bower, Fral.
Referee: G Dolan (Dewsbury)
Penalties: 6-9
Half time: 20-2
Attendance: 523
Sign up to the weekly
news