Hornets U9s (From Warrington Guardian)

Hornets U9s

Halton Hornets U9s 28

West Bank Bears U9s 8

THIS match was hailed as a local derby and certainly didn't fail to excite the spectators, both teams locking horns and playing end to end for nearly 10 minutes without a score.

The deadlock was broken when Sam McGrory ran into stiff opposition a few yards short of West Bank's line and dropped off Stuart Johnson who twisted his way through to take the first four points.

The Bears were quick to come back with a hard-earned try, but it wasn't long before Matty Fozard received the ball and shrugged off West Bank's tacklers to move ahead again.

During the next set, strong tackling from Thomas Walters and Jordan Maddocks brought down the attacking Bears.

The Hornets did well to keep their cool and from the handover went straight on the offensive, driving runs from Joe Kelly and Ben Laughton enabling Kyle Smith to cross from one wing to the other and dive in just inside the corner flag.

The whistle went and Hornets carried an eight-point lead into the interval.

The second half opened and the Hornets gained a lot of ground through well-organised teamwork, Fozard completing the attack by crashing over the line.

Again West Bank regrouped and ran the ball up the field and through for another four points.

A determined Hornets team moved the ball into their opponents half and some well placed passes from Daniel Pierce and Adam Murphy saw Smith dummy the ball to cross for his second. The Hornets continued to hold the upper hand and it wasn't long before Smith had taken another try.

With minutes to go West Bank were in a strong position and looked likely to score, but fine tackling from Kieran Topping, Luke Farrell and Lloyd Hankin held them out until Hornets turned the ball over and Fozard broke free to run almost the length of the pitch and take the final points.

Coach's award went to Sam McGrory for his determination in tackling and running with the ball. Luke Farrell took top tackler and Matty Fozard was man of the match.