THE STING!Halton Hornets u14s 20 (From Warrington Guardian)

THE STING!Halton Hornets u14s 20

Hindley u14s 6

A HARD-FOUGHT win over Hindley confirmed Hornets as champions for the second successive season.

And, as last year, they did it with a 100 per cent record.

In fact, this remarkable team have swept the board again by also winning both the BARLA Lancashire Cup and the NWC KO Cup.

These lads have to be the most successful junior team ever seen, not only in Widnes but probably anywhere in the country.

Hornets got off to a whirlwind start with two unconverted tries in the first few minutes.

From a breakout by Liam McGovern good play by Ste Rowlands sent his winger Ryan Crank in at the corner.

With Hornets regaining possession from the restart more pressure resulted in centre David Prescott scoring in the opposite corner following lovely cross-field handling from left to right.

At this point Hornets were 8-0 up and Hindley hadn't even touched the ball.

This game was played on the large pitch at Widens Rec Club and Hornets fell into the trap of thinking they could just ping the ball from side to side without getting the basics right first and this resulted in many lost opportunities due to unforced handling errors.

Surprisingly half-time came with the score still at 8-0.

A bad start to the second-half saw Hindley come back into it when after a bout of pressure on the Hornets' line Hindley hooker burrowed his way over from dummy-half, and the conversion made it 8-6.

But Hornets came storming back up field with a fine break from Sean Loftus backed up by Ste Rowlands, gave them the impetus to keep the play deep in Hindley territory.

It was from this platform that Hornets increased the lead with a superb solo try from Ste Rowlands who scored under the posts and McGovern converted to make it 14-6.

Hindley had their moments but stout defence from Hornets kept them at bay and Hornets wrapped the game up when McGovern stretched Hindley with a long pass which Rowlands ran onto gleefully to cross wide out before running round to the sticks to make McGovern's conversion a formality.

Credit must go to every single lad in the squad for the effort put in throughout the season.

The trophy and medals are to be presented at the final league game at Orrell St James on Tuesday, May 18.

Many thanks to Widnes Rec Club for their hospitality.

Halton Hornets u7s 40

West Bank u7s 20

HORNETS rounded off their season with a comfortable win against a never-say-die West Bank side.

Having started the third quarter with a good lead Hornets gave their younger age players a run out and were not let down.

Hornets scorers were Gareth O'Brien (3), Liam Hulme (2), Ryan Risley (2) and one apiece for Jamie London, Joe Turner and Ken Gilhooley.

Mom went to Gareth O'Brien for his attacking and defensive play.

Top tackler was awarded to Ryan Risley and coach's award to Jamal Zarrugh.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.