They came to spoil, they came to scrap, but Hornets sent Sheffield home soundly spanked.
Veteran Richard Goddard slotted an early penalty, but the panic was short lived. A downtown by Tawhai was gathered under no pressure by fullback Chapman. Then he was summarily crunched in the tackle by Calland, filled his shorts, coughed the ball and Tawhai gathered to stroll in unopposed. Woody clocked the extras and Hornets were up and running.
Woody helped stretch the lead nine minutes later as he left two defenders for dead and found Bunyan coming in at pace to take the pass and score. Converted, 14-2. Then Sheffield took what could well be the most pointless penalty this season to reduce their deficit to 14-4. Bit sad in the light of Darren Robinson's trademark scoot only minutes later which Woody improved. Hornets left the field at Half time 20-4 to the good and well in command, Sculthorpe and Watson going through their repertoires in an absorbing first 40.
As expected, the now lardy mark Aston took the field for the second half, adding his not insubstantial weight to Sheffield's spoiling effort. High shots, lying-on and surreptitious digs were the order of the day and when Eagles winger Hewitt dived in at the corner, it looked like the underhand tactics might work. As it was, it merely served to light Hornets' blue touchpaper. First Tawhai's pinpoint grubber through a static Sheffield defence fell perfectly into the path of watson for a deserved score, followed five minutes later by another Robinson close-range glide-in. Both goaled by Woody. As Sheffield began to tire and fade, Hornets turned the screw. First a neat chip through as Woody gathered his own kick to score. Then, as Hornets voluntarily played the last 12 minutes with twelve men having used all their substitutions, Marlon Billy got his customary try, diving in at the corner from a neat flat pass.
The noisy home support gave Hornets a deserved standing ovation from the field. Once again Scully was tormentor in chief, ably supported by Watson, Wood and Tawhai. Dave Larder had a huge game in the second row too - his non stop running troubled Sheffield all night.
All the talk after the game was that Hornets have clawed their way above rivals Oldham in the table and they look like their ascent hasn't stopped yet. Featherstone on Sunday will pose a far sterner test, but with confidence high and players playing out of their skins, it'll be an absolute cracker. Stuff the garden, get yourself to Post Office Road.