Send in the heavy mob
Lightweight Hornets lack punch.
When the heavy handed Gateshead stewards jumped into the subdued visiting supporters, gibbering Geordie patois and threatening evictions from the ground, most of the 70 or so Hornets faithful wished they'd coughed up an hour earlier and spared them this listless, disjointed performance.
14 points down in the first 13 minutes, it was effectively game over before most had got comfy in their seats. And when Neighbour strolled in for a soft try on the half hour - and McAlpine two minutes later - it was clear that the afternoon was destined to become a damage limitation exercise.
Having offered little by way of lucid football in the first 40 minutes, Hornets slunk from the field 26-nil down at the break.
Hornets did start the second half brightly: Dave Cunliffe backing up a Paul Rolls break then deftly chipping the fullback to score a neat try. But normal service was resumed as, first Sanderson, then a brace from McPhail exposed Hornets' defensive frailties to stretch Gateshead's lead to 36 points.
Hornets did rouse themselves for a very late consolation try by Alex Brown, but this was a dire, one-sided affair with little to cheer the travelling supporters.
Darren Shaw said afterwards: "... our defence was soft.. we weren't smart enough on attack... we didn't respect the ball... we didn't look like getting through..."
Indeed, it was all a bit half-hearted - and with Barrow on the horizon, theres a lot to do if Hornets are to avoid a repeat performance.
|
:
