Dudley K……………….35
Hornets…………………40
HORNETS defeated Dudley Kingswinford by five points in an 11- try epic, despite Jess Smith's hat-trick.
An all-action opening saw Dudley lock, Smith, score within a minute, Theodore Mannion's conversion giving an early seven points.
Hooker Kieran Ward got Hornets up and running, full-back, Charlie Carter, converting.
The tempo continued as Smith scored his second, with Mannion again converting.
Hornets centre, Adam Francis replied before Dudley winger, George Bennett, seared clear for the hosts' third try, Mannion landing the extras.
The visitors rounded off the first half with two scores to go ahead.
Number eight, Ayden Chenoweth and lock Courtney Harris dotting down in-between, Carter converting both.
Home hooker, James Ryan scored before Smith completed his stunning hat-trick. Mannion kept cool to land the four points on offer to put Dudley in the driving seat.
Late heartache arrived for Dudley, however, Harris bagging his brace nine minutes from time.
The influential fullback Carter converted, before clinching victory with a late five-pointer himself and, having the final say, converting to conclude the encounter.
TEAMS
DUDLEY KINGSWINFORD: Smitheman, Bennett, Shillingford, Heatley, Harrison, Mann, Dunn, Williams, Ryan, Rowley, Smith, Smith, Tighe, Hancox, Nicholls
Replacements: Mannion, Walker, Osazuwa, Thompson, Pritchard
HORNETS: Carter, Tucker, Vickery, A. Francis, Norman, Dorrington , Tuttiett, Baker, Ward, Read, Harris(c), Luczka, C. Francis, Taylor, Chenoweth
Replacements:-Elrick, Bailey, Potapenkov, Roberts, Sheppard
REFEREE: Peter Caunt
ATTENDANCE: 202
Star man Charlie Carter -Hornets
