By GRAEME LAWRENCE
THE Cudgen Hornets blew a golden opportunity to become the Bycroft Cup giant killers for the 2013 season when it had to settle for a 20-all draw with competition leaders Bilambil at the Jets’ complex on Sunday.
After defeating then competition leaders Southport in round seven, the Hornets’ up-and-down season has continued with losses to lowly Currumbin and Runaway Bay leaving the Hornets in the bottom half of the competition.
However you would not have known that from the quality of rugby league provided in Sunday’s match. Hornets coach Troy McCarthy welcomed back experienced campaigners Dan Donovan (front row), Peter Spring (second row), Shaun Nipperess (half) and Matt Petersen (captain and wing) who all played strongly in a tough and uncompromising match.
The game opened at a fast-pace as each side tested their opponents defence and line breaks were rare.
The Hornets were the more creative in the early exchanges and were denied the scoreboard points from two opportunities via good goal-line defence from the Jets. However, against the run of play it was the Jets who opened the scoring through centre Troy Canning off the back of a Hornets’ wayward pass which was quickly followed by another touchdown courtesy of lazy play from the visitors. Although down 10-0 the Hornets were out to atone for their errors and just before the break young centre Zac Spring scored a sizzling 60-metre try off a fine pass from 5/8 Dylan Sutton. The half-time break saw the Jets up by 10-4.
It was the Hornets who showed that they had more juice in their oranges as they came out of the sheds the stronger with first centre, Josh Sleba (48th min), and then winger, Dave Jacky (55th min), scoring tries to put the Hornets in front 14-10. Jacky’s try was a fine piece of individual footy which included a great chip and regather to score. It was here that the defence of the Jets lifted in intensity and tested the referees resolve but it was the Hornets who once again showed their class as fullback Harley Peachey finished off a nice team play to touchdown under the posts, stretching the gap to 20-10 with 10 minutes remaining.
But the Jets were not going to be denied and they showed why they are the competition leaders taking full advantage of some soft penalties and some ill discipline from the Hornets to post back-to-back tries in the dying moments to tie the game up.
The Hornets had to weather a penalty goal attempt in the dying seconds but Jets fullback Joel Harts’ 40 metre attempt failed to make the distance.
None tried harder for the Hornets than teenage front rower Luke Campbell, (players player two weeks in a row), who stood tall in a very heated forward clash dominated by experienced players.
Campbell, straight from the under-17 Hornets’ side of last season has been a revelation this year with a number of outstanding performances against much more experienced opponents. Dan Donovan, Jackson Stanford, Shaun Nipperess and centre Spring were the best in a fine team effort.
Earlier in the day, the Hornets Reggies were completely outplayed by their opponents to the tune of 42-4 in a surprise score-line while the under 19’s scored an emphatic 26-16 victory against the second placed Jets. Best were lock Dylan Hawkey, prop forward Tahnee Whitfield and centre Cooper Black who scored two fine tries.
This weekend the Hornets travel to the Tweed Heads Seagulls ground at Pigabeen to do battle in what is traditionally a great day of rugby League.
Don’t forget the following Sunday 7 July at Ned Byrne Field Kingscliff, when the Hornets will host Runaway Bay. They will also host the PENRITH PANTHERS who will play the GOLD COAST TITANS in a under 20 NYC competition match. That game kicks off at 1.30pm.
