EVEN the most optimistic of fans would have written off Hornets before Sunday’s game at Spotland, against league leaders Barrow Raiders. But Darren Shaw’s men played superbly to post a convincing victory over a deflated Barrow side.

In the first half Hornets blitzed their opponents to take a 30-2 lead into the break. And they held their nerve in the second and any thoughts of a Raiders' comeback were quickly dispelled by a gutsy performance on defence.

Man of the match, Carl Sneyd got Hornets off the mark when he powered over the line on 10 minutes. Darren Holt reduced the arrears with a penalty, but it was a mere blip for the in-form hosts.

Sneyd replied with two penalties and was then on hand to dive in for a try, which he then converted.

Two tries from Leroy Rivett, and an Ian Sinfield effort capped an excellent first half for Hornets.

With the sun beating down and the players tiring in the hot conditions Hornets were unable to recapture the irresistible form of the first 40 minutes. But they defended stoutly to restrict Barrow to just one try, Darren Holt the scorer.

The visitors, though, in the face of some fierce Hornets tackling looked disorganised and never looked like they were going to get back into the game. Hornet's man of the match Carl Sneyd crossed the line for his hat-trick in what was the last play of the game, and tagged on the two to complete a near perfect day for the Spotland outfit.

The win over Barrow will hopefully give Hornets a massive boost in confidence going into the final stages of the league season, starting with Doncaster at Spotland on Wednesday night.

Match Stats

HORNETS: Giles, Rivett, Sneyd, Butterworth, Andrews, Ainscough, Rolls, Best, Corcoran, Robinson, Muir, Sinfield, Brocklehurst. Subs (all used): Billings, Samuels, Cunliffe, Newton. Tries: Sneyd 3, Rivett 2, Sinfield. Goals: Sneyd 7.

BARROW RAIDERS: Backhouse, Irabor, Beattie, Hughes, Nixon, Finch, Holt, Butler, Ellis, Cassidy, Whitehead, McDermott, Armistead. Subs (all used): Archer, McKenna, Rafferty, Ostler.

Referee: M Thomason
Penalties: 14-10
Attendance: 486