5th January- Hornsea RUFC 39 Withernsea RUFC 15
Hornsea started 2019 as they ended 2018 with a rampant home display against a hard working Withernsea side to take the derby honours and complete the league double over their old rivals. In doing so it saw them win three league games in a row for the first time in 6 years.
After the Christmas break it was important to get some momentum early on in the game, and that is what Hornsea achieved as they quickly got into an up tempo rhythm. Two early trys, both scored by Hornsea fly half Mark Thomas were due reward for the Hollismen as they looked very fluent with ball in hand. Jamie Maltas, Joe Andrew and Tom Copeland all played key parts in the trys, with Copeland plying some fine wing play to give the final pass to Thomas on both occasions, the latter’s support lines were great examples of running off the ball. Maltas kicked one of the try’s to give Hornsea a 12 points to 0 lead.
From the restart Hornsea scored immediately, in superb style by prop forward Tim Griffiths. Griffiths jumped the highest to collect the kick off, he then fended off two defenders before racing 55 metres to the line to score a fantastic try.
This three try burst by Hornsea seemed to spur Withernsea into life and some sustained pressure saw them score a well worked try to reduce the defecit to 17 points to 5, this was the first try Hornsea had conceded in 190 minutes of rugby.
In the final ten minutes of the half Hornsea scored two further trys, the first by Liam Tudor Bateman, who picked a sublime line and ran with real pace and power to burst through the spirited Withernsea defence to score. The second and final try of the half was scored by Mark Thomas which completed a first time hat trick for the fly half for the club which was well deserved. Maltas converted. In the final minute of the half Withernsea scored another well worked try which meant the half ended with Hornsea having a 29 points to 10 lead at the interval.
The second half was a slightly more even affair with Hornsea scoring two trys to Withernsea’s one. Brandon Leggett showed electric pace to intercept on his twenty two yard line to race to the line to score a fine individual try. And Andy Finch showed great feet to score a fine wingers try out wide after Owen Kitchen and Gareth Laycock had earlier won back possession for Hornsea. Withernsea scored the final try of the game to give a final score of Hornsea 39 Withernsea 15 in what was a very entertaining local derby.
Trys: Thomas 3, Griffiths, Leggett, Finch, Tudor Bateman. Cons: Maltas 2
12th January
Gallant Hornsea Go Down At Driffield
Driffield 3rd XV 34 Hornsea 28
An enthralling, entertaining, high scoring game was put on by both sides as the Woldsmen came out on top in a blustery afternoon at Kellythorpe.
Driffield took an early lead after just five minutes when their powerful pack drove over with the extras being added successfully.
Hornsea got back into the game within just four minutes when wing Tom Saltmer scored a fine individual try retrieving his own chip through to then outpace the defence to score. Jamie Maltas converted well to bring the scores level at 7 apiece.
Hornsea restarted strongly and with the wind on the backs they camped in the Driffield final third for ten minutes. The pressure finally told and after the forwards had recycled well the ball was shipped out by fly half Mark Thomas. Brandon Leggett hit the ball at pace and burst through to score. Maltas again converted well.
Two yellow cards in the space of five minutes didn’t help the Hollismen’s cause, both for high tackles, all be it not malicious in nature. With the 2 man advantage Driffield were able to score two tries to regain the lead and took a 22:14 lead in at the interval.
The second half produced more of the same end to end rugby with both sides scoring two converted tries. Driffield’s heavy pack proved difficult to halt, but the more mobile Hornsea pack also played a key part in the game helping Hornsea to play their expansive style.
Driffield’s two tries saw them take a 36:14 lead, but Hornsea’s never say die attitude saw them bounce back with a try each for wing Andy Finch and flanker Sam Tonks, both finely taken, with both also being expertly converted wide out by Maltas.
The six point defeat saw the Hollismen gain two bonus points, one for four tries scored and one for losing by less than 7 points.
Although disappointed by the defeat, the Hornsea players put in 80 minutes of hard work and determination and were rewarded with two league points. The improvement the side has made in the past year is clear to be seen. The free flowing style of play is proving to be pretty successful and good to watch, which was commented on by some of the Driffield spectators.
Tries: Saltmer, Leggett, Finch, Tonks. Cons: Maltas 4
Hornsea See Off Bridlington
19th January- Hornsea 17 Bridlington 2nd XV 7
Hornsea secured their fourth win in their last five outings as they won a tight contest against coastal rivals Bridlington, the first time they had beaten their opponents in five years.
Hornsea opened the game in determined fashion and showed their intent with some consolidated pressure on the Bridlington defence. The pressure told after 11 minutes when Hornsea prop forward Andy Salvidge burst through two tackles to rampage towards the Bridlington line before a superb last ditch tackle halted him just five yards short of the line. However, fast hands by the Hornsea backs of Andrews, Thomas, Tudor – Bateman and Baker saw the ball reach Hollismen wing Andy Finch. Finch used his expert finishing skills to ghost in at the corner for a well worked try to give Hornsea the lead, this was Finch’s fourth game in a row he has touched down.
The game soon after this score evened out and, if anything, it was Bridlington who slowly started to get the upper hand. Bridlington took the lead on 27 minutes, when following some useful forward play, their flanker picked up and drove over the line to score, which was converted to give them a 7:5 lead.
Attrition rugby was the order of the day for the final 10 minutes of the half with both sides trying to wear each other down, but defences stayed on top.
With the second half starting as the first ended with defences on top, the next score was always going to be crucial. It was the home side who scored next as they capitalised on an error by the Bridlington full back. Hornsea hooker Phil Walker chased a kick hard, and when the Bridlington full back knocked on, Walker was on hand to collect the ball, drive hard and straight to crash over the line taking two defenders with him, Maltas converted to put the Hollismen 12 points to 7 to the good.
With time ticking away, Bridlington now knew they had to throw everything at the Hollismen if they were going to take the spoils. Only some resolute Hornsea defence lead by captain Gareth Laycock and fellow back rowers Sam Tonks and Danny Chalcraft stopped them from crossing the whitewash.
With time against Bridlington, Hornsea managed to steal the ball just 19 yards from their try line. 6 passages of pick and go rugby carried by the Hollismen was a joy to see. With just minutes remaining Andrews decided to unleash the backs and a scathing break by Liam Tudor Bateman saw the centre burst through the Bridlington defence, a clever offload to full back Jamie Maltas added to the pressure on Bridlington and a scintillating dummy and turn of pace saw Maltas score a fine Hornsea try to seal the victory.
When the final whistle came Hornsea were in very buoyant mood having seen off another bigger clubs scalp from up the road.
Try’s: Finch, Walker, Maltas
Hornsea RUFC Ladies posted this report on their match against Rotherham on 13th January:
A good and fun game today for the Holliswomen and Rotherham Ladies. Everyone worked hard, dug deep and played their socks off!
Final score 76-10 to Rotherham. Well played ladies! The score-line didn’t reflect how hard we all played. We have learnt lots which will be put into play in our future games.
Thanks to Doncaster Ladies for joining both teams, especially after their Christmas night out last night? Fantastic Holliswomen debuts from Amanda Sherlock & Sue Hickson-Marsay
MVPs: Holliswomen: Maddy Boog-Scott
Opposition: Charlotte Dobson
Thanks to: Andrew Keyworth and Joe Andrews for their coaching and guidance, Steph Kemp, Amanda Louise Spencer and Dave Topham for ensuring we were fed and suitably watered, David Jacketts for his photography
Everyone who came up to support us.
Next game: 27 January Wetherby Ladies (away)