Hornets vs. Royal Ramblers

4/15 MARFU semi-final vs Royal Ramblers in St Charles, MO

The playoff opposition would meet a newly determined Hornet side resolved on not seeing a repeat of the previous match-up. The determination would pay off, as the fired up Hornets ensured that the game would be played on Hornet terms—a 0-0 game 30 minutes in was broken by center Nick “New Guy” Heckman taking an offload and going 50 meters for a try. A Royal Rambler response off a quick poach saw a halftime score knotted at 7-7. The Hornets came out into the second half with even more fire, defending stoutly and adding two more tries. Winger Jaylen Kelly took a pass to the weakside off an attacking scrum and beat his opposite number to score in the corner. Jaylen then combined with usual suspect Patty Boylan with a series of offloads to go the distance down the Hornet sideline and send the Hornets into the final 20 minutes with a 19-7 lead. A deep Royal Rambler bench saw fresh substitutes give new energy to their forwards, while the Hornets contended with the heat and humidity after the effort in the first 60 minutes. Broken tackles and gaps started to show in the Hornet defense, and the penalty count went decidedly against the Hornets in the final minutes. Two Royal Rambler tries evened the score inside the last 10 minutes, and eventually the Royal Ramblers secured the lead with under 5 minutes to play. The Hornets could not muster a response, eventually ending the game, and the 15s season, on the wrong end of a 24-19 result.

© Saint Louis Hornets Rugby Club