The first game of the season saw last season’s top two teams in the league clash and Hornets turned in a great performance in what was a pulsating match to take the spoils.

Hornets soon got into their stride and after only two minutes St Pats had to kick the ball dead to stop Hornets scoring. The first nine minutes was constant Hornets pressure but the home side thwarted good attacking play with impressive defence.

After ten minutes, St Pats were penalised for offside and from the resulting tap Dominic Speakman went over for the opening score. Andrew Sheridan converted and Hornets were six points up and in total command. St Pats then made their first foray into the Hornets half and showed that they could be dangerous but they knocked-on to take the pressure off Hornets.

Immediately Hornets swept downfield and Sheridan was denied a try when he was held up over the line. St Pats were struggling to get out of their own half and a tremendous tackle by Mark Percival forced the error which led to the next try. From the scrum Percival fed Andrew Wainwright who powered over in the corner. Five minutes later Wainwright found himself on the end of a flowing move, and his try near the posts, left Sheridan with an easy conversion to make the half time score 16 - 00.

The second half saw the home side regroup and immediately they worked an opening down the right to score wide out. It was now the Hornets turn to defend and after continual pressure they conceded another try after ten minutes when they were again exposed wide out and suddenly the home team were only eight points behind. And St Pats had the momentum.

They continued to press and only good defence and handling errors prevented them from narrowing the gap. With six minutes left, the Hornets applied their first real pressure of the second half and St Pats were forced to drop out on two occasions as Hornets sought to ensure an opening day win.

Wainwright agonisingly lost the ball over the line but with a minute left, Speakman calmly slotted over a drop goal and Hornets had won and set down a marker to the rest of the league that they are determined to retain the league title.

Tries Scored:
Andrew Wainwright - 2
Dominic Speakman - 1

Conversions:
Andrew Sheridan - 2

Drop Goal:
Dominic Speakman - 1

Awards:
Top tacklers were Alex Clare, Andrew Wainwright, Mark Percival and Dominic Speakman

Final Score:
WIGAN ST PATRICKS (U15’s) 08 verses HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS (U15’s) 17

HFH U15’s Team:
Jack Owens, Will Hughes, Mark Percival, Andrew Sheridan, Luke Jones, Jack Buck, Lewis Hulme, Lewis Whitty, Steven Ball, Nathan Dolan, Andrew Wainwright, Alex Clare, Dominic Speakman.

Substitutes:
Keiron Butterworth, Andrew Crooks, Tom Gilmore, George McGrogan, Ryan O’Brien.

21 Sept 08, Halton F H v's Blackbrook

Hornets U15’s sent out a strong message to the rest of the league that they will not give up their crown easily with this thrashing of their St Helens neighbours, who were league seasonal champions two years ago.

The Hornets started strongly but Blackbrook’s defence held firm and having failed to make use of overlaps down the right, Hornets began to let Blackbrook back into the game. However after eleven minutes, impressive handling across the line created yet another opening for the impressive Mark Percival to score in the corner.

Hornets continued to exploit Blackbrook’s weakness down the right and Keiron Butterworth was tackled into touch just short of the line and the only fear was that the Hornets wouldn’t take the chances they were creating.

Some back chatting to the referee saw Hornets awarded a penalty after seventeen minutes and this time the ball went left for Andrew Sheridan to put Will Hughes over in at the corner. Sheridan hit the bar with the touchline conversion and Hornet led by eight with twelve minutes remaining to the break.

Just on the stroke of half time, the Hornets produced the best play of the first half when Ryan O’ Brien, Dominic Speakman and Tom Gilmore, all combined for Lewis Hulme to score under the posts. Sheridan converted and the Hornet held a comfortable 14 - 00 lead at the interval.

Hornets started the second half with the intention of putting the result beyond doubt and a great inside ball from Steven Ball saw prop forward Lewis Whitty power through the Blackbrook defence from forty five yards for a great try. This score deflated Blackbrook and they started to lose their discipline. Alex Clare had the ball ripped out in a two man tackle and from the resulting penalty, Ryan O’Brien went close and Ball burrowed over from the play the ball . Sheridan converted.

Blackbrook then had their best chance to score but they knocked on twenty yards out and Hornets were immediately on the attack again. Good play down the left saw Will Hughes score his second and Gilmore slotted the conversion over from the touchline. Blackbrook now had to defend wave after wave of Hornets’ sweeping attacks and a neat offload by Tom Gilmore saw Mark Percival put Luke Jones in wide out.

At 34 – 00, it was just a matter of how many points the Hornets could score.

Five minutes later, Jack Owens fielded a kick in his own half and sliced through a tired defence to make forty yards.

Blackbrook’s chatting back to the referee then cost them dearly as Tom Gilmore sent Andrew Wainwright powering over and this time it was Tom Gilmore’s turn to hit the frame of the posts from the touchline.

With a minute left, Jack Owens produced another good run out of defence and three tackles later, Nathan Dolan capped off another good display for a well deserved try. Whitty converted to end the match and Hornets have now only conceded eight points in their first two games against two strong outfits.

This impressive start to the season must augers well for the rest of the season.

Tries Scored:
Will Hughes – 2
Steven Ball, Andrew Wainwright, Tom Gilmore, Luke Jones, and Nathan Dolan – 1 each

Conversions:
Andrew Sheridan – 2
Tom Gilmore and Lewis Whitty – 1 each

Awards:
Top tacklers were Andrew Wainwright, Dominic Speakman and Mark Percival.

Final Score:
HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS (U15’s) 44 verses BLACKBROOK ROYALS (U15’s) 00

HFH U15’s Team:
Jack Owens, Keiron Butterworth, Mark Percival, Andrew Sheridan, Will Hughes, Jack Buck, Lewis Hulme, Lewis Whitty, Steven Ball, Nathan Dolan, Andrew Wainwright, Alex Clare and Dominic Speakman.

Substitutes:
Andrew Crooks, Tom Gilmore, George McGrogan, Ryan O’Brien and Luke Jones.

28 Sept 08, Halton F H v's Crosfield Vipers LANCS CUP - PRELIMINARY ROUND

Conceded 18 - 00

05 Oct 08, Halton F H v's Wigan St Cuthberts

With Wilmere Lane Sports Ground pitches being declared unfit after heavy rain, the fixture was quickly moved to the Simms Cross ground. Volunteers then cleared surface water and were rewarded for their hard work when Hornets comfortably beat a determined Wigan side.

The opening minutes saw both teams trying to adjust to the conditions and spilt ball was inevitable. After nine minutes a strong Nathan Dolan drive gave Dominic Speakman the opportunity to produce a lovely pass for Lewis Whitty to charge over from twenty yards out. Andrew Sheridan added the easy conversion.

Straight from the restart, the Hornets struck again when great passing down the left put Andrew Wainwright into space and he scorched away from the St Cuthbert’s defence covering sixty yards to score a fantastic try.

Hornets continued to dominate possession and after twenty four minutes St Cuthbert’s were caught offside. The ball was moved down the left again and Mark Percival drew the cover to put Will Hughes in at the corner to give them a fourteen point lead.

Hornets were now in total command and a great Dominic Speakman run saw Andrew Wainwright put Will Hughes away but he was tackled agonisingly short of the line. But it wasn’t long before the Hornets scored again when the ball went from left to right for Andrew Sheridan to score wide out on the stroke of half time.

Even with an eighteen point lead the Hornets were not prepared to relax and the second half saw them pierce the Wigan defence straight away and only a forward pass denied them another try.

Five minutes later Jack Owens broke away and Andrew Sheridan carried on the move. Some impressive passings then saw Mark Percival go over for Hornets fifth try which Andrew Sheridan successfully converted.

St Cuthbert’s then had their best chance to score but gritty tackling kept them out. Hornets then penned St Cuthbert’s in their own quarter of the pitch and this pressure forced Cuthbert’s to knock on. Again excellent passing, despite the wet conditions, saw Hornets stopped just short of the line and Steven Ball took advantage to dive over.

Hornets were keen to ensure that they kept the opposition scoreless but a silly penalty for back chatting saw St Cuthbert’s move the ball left to score in the corner. From the kick off St Cuthbert’s knocked on and Jack Owens was held up over the line which was the nearest both sides came to scoring again.

It was important that this game went ahead to avoid any fixture backlog and everyone, on and off the field, should be proud of their efforts in getting this match completed.

Tries Scored:
Andrew Wainwright, Mark Percival, Andrew Sheridan, Lewis Whitty, Steven Ball and Will Hughes – 1 each

Conversions:
Andrew Sheridan - 2

Awards:
Top tacklers were Alex Clare, Andrew Sheridan and Lewis Whitty

Final Score:
HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS (U15’s) 28 verses Wigan St Cuthbert’s (U15’s) 04

HFH U15’s Team:
Jack Owens, Keiron Butterworth, Andrew Sheridan, Mark Percival, Will Hughes, Jack Buck, Lewis Hulme, Lewis Whitty, Steven Ball, Nathan Dolan, Andrew Wainwright, Alex Clare and Dominic Speakman.

Substitutes:
Andrew Crooks, Tom Gilmore, George McGrogan, Ryan O’Brien and Luke Jones.

12 Oct 08, LANCS CUP ROUND ONE

LANCASHIRE CUP - Round One

The HFH U15’s progressed into the next round of the Lancashire Cup with a comfortable win against First Division opponents but at times it was not as easy as the score line suggests. With a much changed team, Hornets were sliced open twice in the first three minutes but they regrouped and Will Hughes made a good break down the left. Andrew Sheridan then took play nearer the line and Lewis Hulme put Will Hughes over in the corner for the opening score.

Tom Gilmore then launched the ball into the air and looking into the sun, the full back knocked on twenty yards out. Andrew Sheridan and Ryan O’Brien made good yards before Hornets flung the ball out left for Will Hughes to put George McGrogan over despite the attention of three defenders.
It was thought that Hornets would then run away with the game but Leigh East forced Hornets into touch on the first tackle and good passing along the line saw them score in the corner to reduce the arrears to four points.

Hornets made substitutions and this fired the side immediately. Tom Gilmore produced another of his high kicks and this caused havoc over the Leigh East try line, with Leigh been forced to drop out.
The ball found its way to full back Jack Owens who went on a mazy run past four attempted tackles to score a great individual try. Andrew Sheridan converted.

When Leigh East restarted the game, the kicked ball went straight into touch. An Andrew Sheridan break then produced the opportunity for Mark Percival to score a great try wide out. Andrew Sheridan landed the touchline conversion and Hornets were 20 - 04 up at half time.

The home side were determined not to give their opponents any encouragement in the second half and after only two minutes of the half, Tom Gilmore and Mark Percival exchanged passes for Tom Gilmore to score a well worked try under the posts. Andrew Sheridan added the extras.

The game then began to get somewhat scrappy and Hornets began to give away needless penalties but despite their best efforts Leigh East were unable to take advantage. Will Hughes, who was having an excellent game, then made a good run down the left. The ball went in midfield where Dominic Speakman produced a lovely pass for Mark Percival, who arrived at pace to burst through the Leigh East defence for his second try. Tom Gilmore converted and at 32 - 04 the game was virtually won.

Leigh East then had their best patch of the game and good attacking play saw Luke Jones diffuse a high kick and he was tackled over his own line forcing Hornets to drop out. But Leigh couldn’t take advantage and from a knock on in an attacking position Leigh were unable to stop Andrew Wainwright moving into top gear to score a tremendous eighty yard try. Andrew Sheridan converted to complete the scoring.

Hornets now have a home tie in the next round of the Lancashire Cup against Portico Panthers, which should prove to be a much sterner test.

Tries Scored:
Mark Percival – 2
Will Hughes, George McGrogan, Jack Owens, Andrew Wainwright and Tom Gilmore – All 1 each

Conversions:
Andrew Sheridan – 4
Tom Gilmore - 1

Awards:
Top tacklers were Will Hughes, Lewis Hulme, Andrew Crooks and Steven Ball

Final Score:
HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS (U15’s) 38 verses LEIGH EAST (U15’s) 04

HFH U15’s Team:
Jack Owens, George McGrogan, Will Hughes, Andrew Sheridan, Luke Jones, Tom Gilmore, Lewis Hulme, Ryan O’Brien, Steven Ball, Nathan Dolan, Andrew Crooks, Keiron Butterworth, Jack Buck

Substitutes:
Andrew Wainwright, Mark Percival, Dominic Speakman, Lewis Whitty, Alex Clare

19 Oct 08, Golborne v's Halton F H

The HFH U15’s remain in top spot in the Premier League but they made hard work of this win against a gutsy Golborne team. The opening minutes saw both teams struggle to adapt to the heavy conditions and errors made the game a stop/start affair. However after four minutes a Jack Owens break, out of his own half, gave Hornets the opportunity to move the ball wide and Jack Buck put Dominic Speakman over in the corner. Andrew Sheridan converted from the touchline and Hornets then started to apply pressure to the home defence.

A Speakman kick downfield saw Jack Owens just fail to touch the ball down as Golborne hacked the ball over their own line but Hornets could not capitalise on field position and the next ten minutes saw both sides drop the ball and unable to exert any real pressure.

Hornets eventually regained their composure and when a Tom Gilmore pass was knocked forward by the home defence twenty yards out, Hornets moved the ball left and Andrew Wainwright put Will Hughes in for a try wide out.

Five minutes later good handling from right to left saw Will Hughes score again and despite the Hornets not showing their best form they found themselves 14 -00 up.

The Hornets then began to threaten every time they had the ball and a strong Andrew Wainwright break and offload came to nothing when once again the ball was spilled. On the stroke of half time, a tremendous three man tackle fifteen yards from the home line saw Golborne lose the ball and Tom Gilmore swooped, avoid a tackle and reach over to score. Sheridan converted and at half time Hornets had comfortable twenty point lead.

The second half saw the Hornets immediately go on the attack and a great fifty yard break and lovely passing between four players only came to an end when yet another knock on occurred. The home side began to realise that they were not going to break through the formidable Hornets defence, in which Alex Clare was outstanding, and good tactical kicking downfield saw Hornets pinned in their own half.

Golborne almost scored in the left corner but their next attack saw their influential scrum half jink past a couple of tacklers to score near the posts. The try was converted and the home side began to think that they had a chance of causing an upset.

A short Tom Gilmore kick-off saw Andrew Wainwright regain possession and the ball was moved right were Luke Jones was bundled into touch just inches short of the line.

Andrew Wainwright was starting to punch holes in the home defence and a forty yard break gave Hornets the platform for another attack but yet again poor handling let them down. However Andrew Wainwright’s next break saw Golborne penalised for holding down and a long Jack Buck pass saw Andrew Wainwright touchdown.

With three minutes to go, a thunderous Andrew Wainwright tackle dislodged the ball which he quickly picked up and then went on another marauding run. The ball was then moved inside and a Dominic Speakman pass gave the supporting Lewis Whitty an easy try under the posts which Tom Gilmore converted.

Whilst the home side could be proud of their efforts, Hornets were never in danger of losing this match. However, they cannot afford to make so many errors in future games and win so comfortably.

Tries Scored:
Will Hughes – 2
Lewis Whitty, Andrew Wainwright, Dominic Speakman and Tom Gilmore – All 1 each

Conversions:
Andrew Sheridan – 2
Tom Gilmore - 1

Awards:
Top tacklers were Alex Clare, Andrew Wainwright, Dominic Speakman and Steven Ball

Final Score:
GOLBORNE PARKSIDE (U15’s) 06 verses HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS (U15’s) 30

HFH U15’s Team:
Jack Owens, Keiron Butterworth, Andrew Sheridan, Mark Percival, Will Hughes, Jack Buck, Lewis Hulme, Lewis Whitty, Steven Ball, Ryan O’Neill, Andrew Wainwright, Alex Clare, Dominic Speakman

Substitutes:
Andrew Crooks, Tom Gilmore, Luke Jones

26 Oct 08, LANCS CUP ROUND TWO

LANCASHIRE CUP – Round Two

After a monumental battle, HFH U15’s saw this Lancashire Cup game cruelly snatched from their grasp when Portico scored two minutes from the end of extra time. Due to the waterlogged pitches at Wilmere Lane Sports Ground, Hornets once again played at Simms Cross and the wide pitch there should have suited their style but Hornets found themselves drawn into a forward battle which suited the visitors from St Helens.

From the kick off Portico knocked on and Hornets found themselves in a great position to open the scoring. On the last tackle Dominic Speakman put in a lovely grubber kick but Andrew Sheridan just failed to gather the ball over the line and the chance was gone. Two minutes later another Speakman kick caused problems but Portico managed to diffuse the threat. Hornets continued to press forward and the ball was swiftly moved right where Luke Jones dived low to plant the ball over the line but after some deliberation the official decided that he had stepped in touch.

It was important that Hornets converted their overwhelming territory domination into points and after ten minutes Hornets moved the ball left and Mark Percival put Keiron Butterworth in at the corner. They continued to make inroads into the Portico defence but resolute tackling plus handling errors ensured that they could not build on their early score. Portico then attacked for the first time and Sheridan was harshly penalised for not being square from the play the ball. Portico took the ball right where two missed tackles saw the visitors equalise.

Portico took heart from this and Jack Owens was injured bravely fielding a high kick on their next attack. This meant Hornets had to rearrange the back line and with Portico’s next foray into the Hornets half, a kick downfield hung in the wind, caught Sheridan in two minds and Portico swooped to re-gather and move the ball left to score albeit it with a suspiciously looking forward pass. This gave them a four point lead at the break and Hornets were left ruing missed opportunities.

The second half saw the visitors start on the attack and after four minutes a cross kick exposed the Hornets defence but Portico knocked on with the line begging. This seemed to rouse Hornets and Speakman moved the ball right where Tom Gilmore put Butterworth in for his second try. The game then swung Hornets way and they turned down a kickable penalty chance to run the ball and Wainwright dived in the rather soggy left hand corner to score what seemed like a legitimate try but again Hornets were denied by the referee.

Both teams were tackling their hearts out with Speakman and Clare outstanding for Hornets and the game was being fought out in the middle of the pitch. Eventually Hornets realised the ball had to go wide and Percival popped up in the right centre to score in the corner to give Hornets a slender four point lead.

With the minutes ticking away, Hornets were dominating field position and it looked as though they would just hang on for a famous victory. But Portico had other ideas and with the last move of normal time they flung the ball left to score in the corner. The touchline conversion went wide and the whistle blew to ensure that the game would go into extra time—seven minutes each half.

Portico took the game to Hornets and had the only scoring opportunity of the half but the outcome of this tight tussle was going down to the last seven minutes. Both teams found themselves in good positions to settle the game but with two minutes to go Portico stretched the Hornets defence, moved the ball right and scored the deciding try.

Whilst Hornets may feel aggrieved with some decisions that did not go their way, they failed to play their normal game and Portico should be given credit for taking the chances they got. Hornets must now regroup and use this defeat to go on another unbeaten run.

Tries Scored:
Keiron Butterworth – 2
Mark Percival - 1

Conversions:

Awards:
Top tacklers were Alex Clare, Andrew Sheridan and Dominic Speakman

Final Score:
HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS (U15’s) 12 verses PORTICO (U15’s) 16
[After extra time]

HFH U15’s Team:
Jack Owens, Luke Jones, Andrew Sheridan, Mark Percival, Keiron Butterworth, Jack Buck, Lewis Hulme, Lewis Whitty, Steven Ball, Ryan O’Brien, Andrew Wainwright, Alex Clare, Dominic Speakman

Substitutes:
Andrew Crooks, Tom Gilmore, Nathan Dolan, Aaron Leong

02 Nov 08, Wigan St Cuthberts v's Halton F H

The HFH U15’s returned to winning ways with a comfortable win at Wigan St Cuthbert’s without really hitting top form.

The home team chose to play up the slope in the first half and although Hornets exerted early pressure they could not convert their dominance into points. On six minutes Andrew Wainwright, playing in the centre this week, made a good break cutting inside past three players but was hauled down just short of the line and the chance went begging.

However it wasn’t long before Hornets got the first points on the scoreboard when Wainwright, Dominic Speakman and Alex Clare combined to make thirty yards of ground. Speakman was again involved as the ball was moved right and Andrew Sheridan put Luke Jones in at the corner. Four minutes later the Hornets strong tackling forced a St Cuthbert’s knock on and this was punished when Wainwright again beat three defenders to score under the posts. Sheridan converted and the Hornets had moved into a ten point lead.

A couple of handling errors by the Hornets allowed St Cuthbert’s to get close to the try line but the HFH U15’s defence held firm and Hornets were then able to make further inroads into the opposition half.

Four minutes before half time the home team were forced to give Hornets another set of six tackles and a lovely inside ball saw Lewis Whitty score under the posts. Sheridan added the extra 2 points and the Hornets went into the break 00 – 16 up despite not playing their best rugby.

The second half saw Hornets immediately press forward and an amazing weaving run by Speakman, in which he beat several players, saw him nearly score what would have been one of the tries of the season.

St Cuthbert’s then made a rare incursion into the opposition twenty-five and they forced Hornets to kick the ball dead but from the resulting drop out they could not muscle their way through the impressive Hornets defence.

Ten minutes later Jack Owens made yet another good clearing run which was continued by Speakman and Sheridan. Alex Clare then broke through the St Cuthbert’s defence and produced a lovely flick pass for Gilmore to score in the corner.

This seemed to take the fight out of the home side and despite the heavy conditions and playing up the slope Hornets stepped up a gear and began to make inroads into the St Cuthbert’s with ease. A kick on the last tackle saw the Wigan full back fumble to ball near his own line and the chasing Sheridan was on hand to pick up the ball and score a gift of a try wide out.

With their next attack the Hornets moved the ball to their right and Ryan O’Brien charged through to score a try and make it 00 – 28. Wainwright then made a scintillating fifty yard break down the left to scorch under the posts. Tom Gilmore added the extras.

St Cuthbert’s could not stop the constant attacks and after Hornets forced them into another error, knocking on twenty yards out, Jack Buck was held up over the line but there was to be no let up as the ball went from right to left and Keiron Butterworth scored his third try in two games.

St Cuthbert’s took a cheeky short kick off to re-gather the ball and finish the game on the attack but the Hornets were determined to ensure that they would not cross their try line and they finished convincing 00 – 38 winners.

Tries Scored:
Andrew Wainwright - 2,
Keiron Butterworth, Lewis Whitty, Ryan O’Brien, Luke Jones, Andrew Sheridan and Tom Gilmore – 1 each

Conversions:
Sheridan – 2
Gilmore - 1

Awards:
Top Tacklers Alex Clare, Andrew Wainwright, Lewis Whitty and Dominic Speakman

Final Score:
WIGAN ST CUTHBERTS (U15’s) 00 verses HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS (U15’s) 38

HFH U15’s Team:
Jack Owens, Luke Jones, Andrew Sheridan, Andrew Wainwright, Keiron Butterworth Jack Buck, Lewis Hulme, Lewis Whitty, Steven Ball, Ryan O’Brien, Andrew Crooks, Alex Clare, Dominic Speakman

Substitutes:
Aaron Leong, Tom Gilmore, Nathan Dolan

09 Nov 08, Halton F H v's Golborne Parkside

A good opening five minutes plus a strong last ten minutes ensured the HFH U15’s won easily. However, poor handling, injuries, and a strong wind prevented the Hornets from increasing the winning margin.

Hornets were soon on the attack when Tom Gilmore’s kick off was allowed to run over the dead ball line and Golborne were forced to drop out and give the home side the ball. One pass later Andrew Wainwright went over for an easy score and with Andrew Sheridan converting, Hornets had raced into a six point lead.

Golborne were having difficulty with the strong cross wind and from the restart kicked the ball out on the full to give Hornets an excellent attacking position. Whilst they failed to take advantage it wasn’t long before they were on the score sheet again.

Golborne failed to kick on the last tackle and the ball was handed over to Hornets who swiftly moved the ball left and Wainwright put in Will Hughes wide out. After ten minutes, a good Jack Owens break down the centre of the field threatened to lead to another try but he was then adjudged to have released the ball after being tackled and another opportunity was lost.

Hornets then began to make basic errors thinking that they could win easily and play fancy rugby in testing conditions. Hornets wasted a great chance to increase their lead when a Hughes try was disallowed for a forward pass. Golborne realizing that they had an opportunity to get back into the game started to make inroads into the Hornets half of the field for the very first time.

After twenty minutes, with their first real attack, the Golborne half back launched a speculative cross kick to the left corner. The Hornets defence hesitated and Golborne had opened their account. It was not a day for goal kicking and the touchline conversion was virtually impossible but Golborne were only six points behind despite hardly being in the game.

From the kick off Golborne once again made a mistake, this time by knocking on, but Hornets produced a poor last pass with the line begging. However just before the break a good break by Dominic Speakman saw the ball go left and Wainwright cut inside to score his second try to give Hornets a 14 - 04 half time lead.

It was hoped that Hornets would eradicate their errors in the second half but the first five minutes saw two promising attacks fail to produce any points due to poor passing. Golborne again found themselves caught with the ball on the last tackle thirty yards out and the ball was moved right and then left for Wainwright to put Hughes in for his second try.

With their next attack a long downfield kick by Speakman saw the Golborne defence scramble to kick the ball dead and from the resulting drop out Golborne conceded a penalty for an elbow and quick hands saw Mark Percival burst onto the ball for a fine try which Sheridan converted to make it 24 - 04.

Injuries threatened to disrupt Hornets and they found themselves down to twelve players but this didn’t stop the Hornets from attacking the Golborne line. Percival thought he’d scored again but the pass from Speakman was forward and another chance had gone.

Golborne then had a spell of pressure and poor handling near their own line saw the Hornets concede a try near the posts and at 24 – 10, with only ten minutes to go, Golborne sensed there was perhaps the chance of a comeback. But despite ending the last six minutes with eleven players, the Hornets scored two more tries.

A shuddering Speakman tackle saw Golborne lose the ball and Percival put Wainwright in for his hat trick. However he still hadn’t finished scoring as another Golborne error from the kick off, this time the ball didn’t go ten yards and Wainwright ended the scoring with a personal tally of four tries.

Hornets now play Wigan St Patricks at home next week which even so early in the season could be regarded as a title decider. If Hornets play as well as they did at Wigan on the opening day of the season they should win but they will have to improve on recent performances to keep their unbeaten league record intact.

Tries Scored:
Andrew Wainwright – 4
Will Hughes – 2
Mark Percival - 1

Conversions:
Andrew Sheridan - 2

Awards:
Top Tacklers Alex Clare, Andrew Speakman and Steven Ball

Final Score:
HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS (U15’s) 32 verses GOLBORNE PARKSIDE (U15’s) 10

HFH U15’s Team:
Jack Owens, Keiron Butterworth, Andrew Sheridan, Andrew Wainwright, Will Hughes, Tom Gilmore Lewis Hulme, Lewis Whitty, Steven Ball, Nathan Dolan, Andrew Crooks, Alex Clare, Dominic Speakman

Substitutes:
Luke Jones, Mark Percival, Aaron Leong

16 Nov 08, Halton F H v's Wigan St Pats

The meeting of arguably the best two teams in the league lived up to its top billing as both sides ended up sharing the points in a titanic battle at Wilmere Lane Sports Ground.

The Hornets knew that their best performance so far this season was the season opener at St Pats and they started the game hoping to get an early score and were immediately on the attack but they failed to press home their advantage.

After five minutes the first chance of a score fell to Hornets when Lewis Whitty kicked a loose ball up field for nearly fifty yards but good covering defence prevented Hornets from troubling the scoreboard. Hornets were dominating field position but the St Pats defence was terrific and it looked as though Hornets would rue missed opportunities as they began to take wrong options.

Both teams are known for playing expansive rugby but the heavy conditions plus tremendous defence from both teams ensured that the game became a forwards battle and it was hard to see when the first score would come.

After a period of sustained pressure, a Tom Gilmore grubber kick on the last tackle hit the post and St Pats dropped on the ball to prevent a try. From the drop out Hornets moved the ball right and Will Hughes touched down but Mark Percival’s pass was adjudged to be slightly forward.

On nineteen minutes St Pats had their first serious attack of the game and Hornets breathed a sigh of relief as they lost the ball just fifteen yards short of the try line. Two minutes later Hornets struck when a break from forty yards out by Alex Clare, saw Tom Gilmore in support and although the pass looked slightly forward, Gilmore raced under the posts for the first try of the game. He converted his try and Hornets had broken the deadlock to go into a six point lead.

As is often the case when one team scores, the opposition replies immediately and St Pats scored a cracker of a try when they moved the ball left and their centre raced away from sixty yards, evading tackles to score. The try was converted and the game was all square.

From the kick off St Pats knocked on but Hornets failed to take advantage when, once again, a needless forward pass stopped their momentum. With the seconds ticking away St Pats launched an attack and it looked as though they had scored in the corner but the referee deemed that the ball hadn’t been grounded and the half ended with the score line of six points apiece.

St Pats started the second half on the front foot and only a good tackle by Keiron Butterworth prevented their winger from racing away. Hornets were still making too many mistakes and no matter how much they were getting into good attacking positions, they could not find a way through the St Pats defence.

A chance of two points following a penalty for stripping the ball in the tackle saw Gilmore just put the ball wide and even so early in the second half it looked as though the next try would be the game breaker.

Both teams struggled to get anywhere near the line as the game became a midfield battle but it was enthralling rugby with every player on the field giving everything they had. Drop goals then became an option to break the deadlock and Dominic Speakman saw his effort fail. But with six minutes left Gilmore produced a fantastic effort from thirty yards out and it looked as though Hornets had snatched a win.

However St Pats were not going to give this game up and they made inroads into the Hornets half and forced another set of six when a smart kick was knocked on and they regained the ball. They moved closer to the posts and a neat one pointer made the game level.

With everyone expecting that to be the end of the action, St Pats knocked on from the restart and Hornets had one last chance to snatch the game. Hornets were then awarded a penalty for interference at the play the ball and Gilmore saw his attempt go agonisingly wide and the game finished seven points all.

It was vital for Hornets championship hopes that they did not lose this game and in that respect they can be proud of their efforts but overall this was a great battle between two committed teams and the game of Rugby League was the only winner on the day.

Tries Scored:
Tom Gilmore - 1

Conversions:
Tom Gilmore – 1
Drop Goal - 1

Awards:
Top Tacklers Alex Clare, Lewis Whitty and Steven Ball

Final Score:
HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS (U15’s) 07 verses WIGAN ST PATRICK’s (U15’s) 07

HFH U15’s Team:
Jack Owens, Will Hughes, Mark Percival, Andrew Wainwright, Keiron Butterworth, Tom Gilmore, Lewis Hulme, Aaoron Leong, Steven Ball, Nathan Dolan, Lewis Whitty, Alex Clare, Dominic Speakman

Substitutes:
Luke Jones, Andrew Crooks