Hornets Nest By GRAEME LAWRENCE
IT TOOK the Cudgen Hornets only a very short time to put their match against Runaway Bay beyond doubt as they opened the game at the Ned Byrne Field on Sunday with some wonderful attacking football.
The Hornets raced to a commanding 26-0 lead over opponents Runaway Bay. Led by five eight Dylan Sutton (players player), who showed some excellent enterprising play, the whole team played well to have the seemingly unassailable lead by the 28-minute mark.
It was Sutton who opened the try-scoring blitz followed by prop forward Jackson Standford, second rower Jay Solley, half-back Shaun Nipperess and full-back Jake Sands who all scored tries on the back of some very good Hornet teamwork.
Sutton’s only blemish came in the 14-minute mark of the second half when he was put on report for a lifting tackle that went horribly wrong.
While the Runaway Bay player was not injured, Sutton will have an anxious wait for the outcome.
When Stanford strolled over for his second at the 54-minute mark, the score could have been anyone’s guess. But the Hornets put up the shutters way too soon and the Seagulls came storming back to add credibility to the scoreline. The Hornets were eventual winners by 34-18. The victory means they stay in outright fifth position, five points ahead of Tweed Seagulls in sixth.
The regies struggled against a more enthusiastic Baysiders outfit and went down 20-10 with Shannon Murphy (players player), once again getting through a mountain of work. He was well supported by fullback Jackson Hardy and prop forward Dan Chaumont.
The Under-19s had everything including good and bad footy and just when it looked like the Hornets had got out of jail the Baysiders scored on the bell to outlast the young Hornets 26-24. Hooker Chris Carlyon, prop forward Tahnee Whitfield and lock forward Zenon Dorrough (players player) all played well.
This Friday night the Hornets hold their annual Sportsmen’s Dinner at The Cudgen Leagues Club, with proceedings kicking off at 6.30pm. Guest speaker is Big Merv Hughes who will surely have some wonderful insights into the current situation with Australian cricket and much more. Bookings essential (02 6674 1888). Promises to be a great night once again.
