Hornets implode on the road

This was a game of two halves, both in the proverbial and literal sense. Hornets led at half-time 21-7, seemingly in control against a limited Newport outfit and with a bonus point victory apparently there for the taking. The second period, however, saw a complete reversal in fortune as Newport, who had not previously registered a victory this season, stormed back with three unanswered tries, winning the game with the last play of the day. In reality it could have been more as Newport missed at least two opportunities on the field where it had seemed easier to score than not and Newport fly-half George Castledine had a poor game with the boot only landing one of five attempts at goal.

It was a truly bizarre turnaround which the travelling support found difficult to explain. Little went right for the Hornets in the second period as they struggled at both scrum and line-out, and apparently suffered a mass outbreak of ‘dropsy’ as chance after chance was butchered.

DOR Chris Campbell was not happy with the second half collapse. ‘The execution of our skills let us down badly. In the second half we dropped too many balls when we had attacking opportunities and put ourselves under pressure at the set piece. Newport deserved their win, and well done to them for that but we have gone away a little from what has been successful for us in the opening two games and the coaches have to identify what that is quickly and make those changes in time for Dings next week.’

The early exchanges were somewhat scrappy with neither side able to find their rhythm but it was Newport who found their composure first to claim an early lead after 13 minutes. A series of penalties against the Hornets allowed Newport to set up a line-out around 15m from the Hinckley line and, although the initial catch and drive was held, the ball was released to the blind-side and Newport wing Timoci Waqadau was able to round the defence for the try. Casteldine converted to make it 7-0.

Hornets though responded quickly to level the score. Archie Heard set up a penalty line-out 15m out, Harry Bower claimed the line-out ball and the pack drove to the line for Dale Bowyer to touch down for the eighth time this season. Heard added the extras.

Three minutes later, Hornets were ahead when a Hinckley turnover just inside the Newport half was fed to debutant Reuben Logan on the halfway line who proceeded to storm through the Newport cover and run in for a spectacular solo effort. Heard made it 7-14.

On the half-hour, from a penalty line-out on the Newport 22m, Hornets opted to run the ball and, after several phases, Ben Pointon was able to sell an outrageous dummy in the middle of the field to scamper through the gap for the try which Heard again converted to make it 7-21.

Half-time came with Hornets looking to be coasting to victory despite a few concerns at the set-piece.

But things began to unravel somewhat after the break with Hornets being more than a little profligate with possession and Newport too spilling opportunities as the game became scrappy and disjointed. Hornets’ apparent inability to deliver the coup de grace though seemed to enable Newport to build their own confidence and there was a sense of inevitability with the game entering the final quarter that they would close the gap.

Sure enough a penalty line-out 10m from the Hinckley line was secured and driven over by the Newport pack, albeit with assistance from half the Newport back line.

Six minutes later Newport claimed their third try. Another Newport line-out this time on the Hinckley 22m was driven almost to the line with Hornets defence in disarray and it was a simple task for Newport’s Dan Green to dive over the line when the ball was released. Newport were within a score with 15 minutes to go.

Hornets could still have won comfortably, however, but continued to squander opportunities and Newport continued to battle. It all came down to the last play. With time up, Hornets conceded a penalty for a high tackle 15m from their own line and in the middle of the field. The ball was fed right and Castledine was able to run through for the score with nonchalant ease. It was the end of a wretched forty minutes for Hornets and a major blow ahead of a tricky fixture next week against Dings Crusaders who many had tipped for promotion at the beginning of
the season.

Nick Robinson