HORNETS returned from the Fylde Coast with three valuable points which, with three games of the regular season to play, virtually secure their place in the play-offs.

And, while it was a workmanlike performance against Blackpool Panthers, rather than a sparkling one, the visitors always had too much in the tank for their hosts.

Hornets, though, were playing their third game in seven days and on another hot afternoon it’s not surprising they suffered a drop in energy levels. In fact it’s amazing part-time players can maintain the high standards they do in the circumstances.

The forwards again ran straight and true, none more so than Dave Cunliffe, who helped himself to a brace of tries. Halfbacks Martin Ainscough and Paul Rolls continue to form an effective partnership and provide the link from which the backs could pressurise the Panthers’ backline.

Hornets racked up seven tries. The defence was again solid conceding two tries to take the total of tries scored against to four in the last three games – an impressive statistic. And this is the difference.

At Spotland, earlier in the season Hornets again scored 38 points but only managed a draw.

Blackpool for their part were hampered by the loss of debutant Andy Sands who was dismissed one minute and 40 seconds into the match for an appalling high tackle on Jonathan Muir. Batley official Craig Halloran had little option than to give Sands his marching orders, leaving the home team to battle it out for 78 minutes with just 12 men. It was a bitter blow for Blackpool coach Martin Crompton who has done so much to improve the fortunes of the club.

Hornets started strongly and Muir’s rampaging run was crudely halted by Sands. Two penalties followed and on eight minutes Carl Sneyd rose to collect a Rolls’ bomb but was unable to find the support.

Mistakes were plentiful from both sides and both defences were made to work hard.

Hornets broke out and fullback Chris Giles should have scored when a yawning gap opened up on the left. Inexplicably he chose to try to find Eric Andrews with a pass and failed miserably.

Giles made up for his error one minute later when, after a superb drive by Cunliffe, he latched a Rolls pass to score. Sneyd converted.

The Hornets fans had to wait for another 10 minutes before they had something to cheer. Muir charged down and collected Simon Svabic’s kick and drove towards the posts. He was held down and the visitors were awarded a penalty in front of the posts. There were those who thought they should take the two points but a quick tap saw Cunliffe power over the line. Sneyd added the extras.

From the restart, Hornets appeared to knock on but the referee judged the ball went backwards. Damian Munro didn’t agree and was given a yellow card for his protestations, giving Hornets a two-man advantage. And they made the hosts pay with some slick handling and support from which Giles sent Cunliffe through for his second. Sneyd made it a six-pointer.

Rolls was next to incur the ire of the official and he too was sin-binned, for holding down. Hornets paid the price one minute later as former player Casey Mayberry forced his way over to give his team a lift before the interval.

That enthusiasm continued after the break and two neat offloads gave fullback Jonny Leather room to manoeuvre. He didn’t need a second invitation and showed excellent speed as he raced 60 metres to score.

This served as a wake-up call for Hornets and a flowing move came to a premature halt when Ian Sinfield failed to gather Leroy Rivett’s pass. Loose forward Mark Brocklehurst then broke from deep inside his own half but was hauled down yards short.

With the depleted Blackpool side visibly tiring Hornets dug deep into their reserves of energy and upped the pace. And Sneyd’s delicious flick pass gave Rivett a clear run to the line. Sneyd slotted over the conversion. Sinfield then sent Ainscough galloping to the line for Hornets fifth of the day for a 28-8 lead.

There was still time for Rolls to break from the base of the scrum and present Sneyd with a try. And Rolls was on hand in the final minute to support Janan Billings sniping run from acting half to score under the posts. Sneyd closed proceedings with his fifth conversion to end a satisfactory day for Darren Shaw’s men.

Match facts

Blackpool Panthers: Leather, Gillam, Munro, Mayberry, Kilgallon, Svabic, Keaveney, Sands, Roden, Fairhurst, Kay, Llewellyn, Clough. Subs (all used): Tunstead, Boland, Barton, Warriner. Tries: Mayberry, Leather.

Hornets: Giles, Rivett, Sneyd, Butterworth, Andrews, Ainscough, Rolls, Best, Corcoran, Robinson, Muir, Sinfield, Brocklehurst. Subs (all used): Billings, Samuels, Cunliffe, Newton. Tries: Giles, Cunliffe 2, Rivett, Ainscough, Sneyd, Rolls. Goals: Sneyd 5.

Referee: C Halloran (Batley)
Penalties: 8-6
Half time: 4-18
Attendance: 300
Sin-bins: Munro, Rolls
Sent off: Andy Sands.