You must be J. King
Hornets show grit - but penalty count takes its toll

The scoreline may tell you one tale, but the stat that really tells the story of this game is the 5-12 penalty count courtesy of an appalling performance by referee J. King. No team labouring under such circumstrances could expect to compete effectively - and against a well-drilled Salford it proved to be an obstacle Hornets were unable to overcome.

Hornets showed pride and determination in the face of the penalty onslaught and had withstood the efforts of both ref and Reds to lead at the hour mark.

It had started, though, in very ordinary fashion. A Clinch kick after 8 minutes created the openiing for Highton to score. Charles' conversion and a gifted penalty shortly after took Salford 8-nil out.

But Hornets struck back. The forwards drove the ball deep into Salford territory; Watson created space; Smith took the pass and jinked through a static defence to score. 8-4 after 15 minutes.

The revival was short-lived, however, as Salford executed their best football of the afternoon - neat passing and support play to send Beverley in under the black dot. 16-4.

For ten minutes it was nip and tuck as Hornets dragged themselves back on top of the game and took control of the half on 28 minutes when Nanyn took another flat Watson pass to crash through several tackles to score. Nanyn added the extras courtesy of a post and slotted a penalty almost on the hooter to take Hornets in 14-12 down and looking the better side.

The second half started with Salford quite happy to send in a parade of fat lads in an attempt to break down the Hornets defence.

But it was a Hornets prop that brought the main stand to its feet. having just returned to the field on 50 minutes, Gareth Price blasted through a flapping Salford defence, ran straight over the top of fullback Flowers and gave Hornets the lead at 16-14.

Cue the interjection of J. King. In giving penalties for offences that only he could see, Salford made easy yards and put the Hornets defence under severe pressure.

While Mr King tried his best for Salford, the game turned on a moment of fortunate serendipity.

Hornets took off James Bunyan, replacing him with John Hamilton - and whilst the backline was rearranging itself, Danny Arnold seized upon a Watson kick, burst through the hole where Bunyan had been and galloped fully 80 metres to score. Heart breaking stuff.

Hornets threw everything forward in desperation, but Charles intercepted Matt Long's pass from the tackle, he found scrawny gobshite Stuart Littler and the game was dead at 28-16.

But Mr King obviously wasn't convinced. Hornets took the ball back downfield where Matt Long broke the line to send Richard Pachniuk in. Mr King gave a forward pass. Git.

Salford brought the ball away; Larder put Alan Hunte on his backside; Hunte took the huff and punched out; Larder beat the crap out of him; both players sent to the bin with eight minutes remaining. Mr King gave the penalty to Hornets to ironic jeers from the home support.

Again Hornets took the game forward - desperate attack meeting firm defence. But as the pressure began to tell, up steps Mr King with a relieveing penalty; ten extra metres for questioning his sanity; Salford say 'ta very much' for the gift 50 metres; Beverley slips through an exhausted Hornets defence to give the game a decidedly one-sided look.

Whilst disappointed, the Hornets fans weren't despondent. Hornets had battled heroically throughout and had matched the full-timers across the park. All any of us ask is that our players give their all and show pride in the jersey - and the reception as Hornets left the field showed that everyone appreciated the huge effort they'd put in.

Martin Hall said afterwards, " I thought we were in contention right up to 70 minutes... the effort froim everybody was outstanding. But there's a lot more in the tank for us. We've still got a lot to do, but we're getting there."

If we play anywhere near like this for the rest of the season, we'll be right in the shake-up come the playoffs - especially if we can capitalise on our game in hand. But is it too much to ask that we get a fairer crack of the whip from the officials?