Hornets Nest By Graeme Lawrence
WELL you could not fault the effort and commitment of the Cudgen Hornets when they took on the powerful 2012 Premiers, the Burleigh Heads Bears at Ned Byrne Field, Kingscliff, on Sunday.
In a high quality match that played out right to the final siren, it took two well executed plays by the Bears in the 73rd and 76th minutes to finally overcome the tenacious Hornets.
The Bears prevailed 24-18 in a match which showed just how far the young Hornets have come this season considering the Bears gave them a 50-point hiding in round one back in March.
In a match which started fast and physical, no quarter was given and so it wasn’t until the 22nd minute mark when bustling Bears front rower Jordan Barr charged his way over beside the posts for Burleigh to post first points.
But that try spurred the Hornets on and almost immediately outstanding young centre Zac Spring pounced on a fine Jake Sands kick to send the ever alert winger Ryan King over in the corner, Burliegh 6-4.
While Hornets fullback Jake Sands was proving elusive to the Bears’ backline defence, front rower Dan Donovan appeared to take it upon himself to tear into the Bears’ forward pack. Donovan was outstanding in a tough encounter up front and was well supported by fellow prop Jackson Stanford. But on the stroke of half time a basic error dummy half by the Hornets gifted the Burleigh side possession and from the ensuing penalty they scored a simple try and went to the break up 10-6.
Immediately after the break it was the Sands and Spring combination again as Zac Spring brilliantly scooped onto a towering spiral bomb from Sands to send the Hornets crowd into overdrive and as sands converted the try from out wide, the Hornets led for the first time 12-10.
It was at the 65th minute mark that Burleigh regained the lead through a fine try to fullback Kevin Nilon but the Hornets were not about to lie down and when hornets experienced winger Matt Petersen followed suit by finishing off a fine Hornets team effort and with another sideline conversion from Sands the Hornets had wrestled the lead back 18-14 with just 10 minutes left.
However the experience and structure of the Bears prevailed and they came home strongly with two backline tries to retain fourth spot on the ladder.
The match was a quality game of rugby leaague and the Hornets did their supporters proud. However, with the closeness of the competition the Currumbin Eagles, (6th) are only one point behind the Hornets (5th). Both these sides clash at Currumbin next weekend in a match which could well decide the fifth semi-finalist for this season. Only three rounds of the competition remain.
The scoreline of 32-14 against the Reggies Hornets was not a true indication of the match. It was a bruising encounter and with the Bears dropping some players back to qualify for semi-finals they showed their class with some fine tries. For the Hornets once again lock forward Shannon Murphy stood tall along with Josh Alcorn, Brad McAskill, Jacob Ziebell and Dan Chaumont who all played prominent roles.
Once again the under-19s allowed the opponents to get to a good lead before deciding to mow them down. The two 2012 grand final sides played an enterprising game with the Bears once again getting the two competition points, this time by 28-24. The Hornets provided plenty of opportunities for themselves but failed to capitalise. They will now have a tough time making the play-offs. Nick Clark, Chris Carlyon and Jacob Spargo along with Bronson McDonald all played strongly. Next weekend the Hornets play the Currumbin Eagles at Currumbin.
