HORNETS 12 VS 14 LUCTONIANS
Hornets RFC v Luctonians RFC
24th January 2026
Hornets 12 vs 14 Luctonians
This was an intriguing encounter in Weston-super-Mare on the Nth Somerset coast, home of Hornets RFC. The hosts, undefeated at home all season, sitting comfortably mid table, were always going to prove to be a difficult nut to crack at home. However, Luc’s did break their “shell” and recorded a tight two-point margin score victory in what was a very close match throughout.
The game started brightly for the Black and Whites, albeit in drizzly rain, when from the kickoff Hornets knocked on, conceded an early scrum deep in their 22, Lucs capitalised and following good forward pressure, quick ball to James Wheeler saw him plough through the home side defence to dot down after only a couple of minutes, Bryn Goodall converting for an early lead for the Lucs (0-7).
Both sides were keeping the game tight, and very few line beaks from either side gave any scoring opportunities. Frank Kelly and Charlie Grimes both gained good advantage when on the front foot for Luc’s, but otherwise the defence for both sides held firm. Hornets managed to gain some territory advantage with a line out close to Luc’s 22 line, and they levelled the scores when Joachim Hullah was able to squirm through to dot down on 20 minutes, Jack Gapper converting to give a 7-7 score line, and despite plenty of endeavor this was to be the scoreline until both sides went off for a cockle sandwich at half time.
Half Time Score
Hornets RFC 7 vs 7 Luctonians RFC
Luc’s had looked territorially more likely to add to their tally in the first half, but it was the turn of the home side to look sharper as the second half began, in what was now bright sunshine with rainbows adorning the seaside sky, but who would pinch the pot of gold in this close encounter ? Following some early “kick ball tennis”, Hornets got the ball down and started to run into the Black and Whites defensive line, and they managed to ruck their way to the dead ball line, before swiftly whipping passes out to wing Connor Vickery who dived over in the corner for a 12-7 advantage, Gapper was not able to convert , but the home side were now looking good for their lead after 46 minutes.
Lucs however had the desire to not give anything away territorially and gradually kept the home side deeper in their own half. They won a line out on the home sides 22 and their backs worked the ball closer to the home sides try line. Lucs forwards took over and when they managed to work the ball close to the posts, centre Frank Kelly took his chance to sidestep and weave his way through the Hornets defence to score under the posts, Bryn Goodall converting for the lead on 57 minutes at 12-14.
Absorbing as it was this was to be the final score, Lucs continued to try and bully their way to their opponent’s line, but Hornets were equal to the task and had their chances as well, held up over the Lucs white wash on one occasion, but neither side could break the deadlock. Hornets won a penalty as the clock clicked into the final seconds in their own half and opted to kick for goal, but Gappers kick fell well short of the posts and the referee who had a fine game blew for time, much to the delight of the travelling Black and White support.
This was a significant win for Lucs at one of the league’s most dangerous opponents on their own turf, and Hornets could do us still a favour as they must still entertain Camborne at home, who remain top and 8 points clear. Lucs return to Mortimer Park this weekend to play another of the top 5 sides, Taunton Titans, in what is sure to be another stern test to keep their promotion push on schedule.
Full Time Score
Hornets RFC 12 vs 14 Luctonians RFC
Luctonians Man of the Match – Charlie Overton
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