Indeed, Hornets got the scoreboard operator's overetime afternoon underway after just three minutes as a mecurial Sam Butterworth break slipped Dave Cunliffe in. Braddish added the extras.

Blackpool rallied. On 12 minutes Willie Swann worked the ball well for Parry to score by the posts. Johnstone thrashed the conversion attempt wide into the Pearl Street end.

Hornets wrote off the Panthers' try in their next attack; Phil Cantillon backing up a big break to, poach a good try on 14 minutes. He repeated the feat two minutes later.

Hornets extended their lead further on 22 minutes: Braddish hoising a towering bomb behind the Blackpool defence; Mark McCully out jumping his opposite number and delivering a perfectly timed pass for Lee Doran to score. Beautifully executed.

From the kick-off posession, Hornets made good yards downfield and this time Cantillon turned provider - a clever last tackle grubber bouncing perfectly for Dave Alstead to touch down behind a bemused and static defence.

The Panthers briefly gathered their breath as good hands sent Redford in out wide and Johnstone slotted a good touchline conversion - but no sooner had they re-established a foothold in the game when Doran again backed up some sweet passing to score right on the hooter. Half time: Hornets 34 Blackpool 10.

Hornets began the second half like a rocket. Just three minutes in, Sam Butterworth's stepping run had the panthers' defence in all sorts of trouble and his pass gave John Braddish ample space to slice through and score.

Again, though, Blackpool sucked in for a big effort and with Willie Swann bouncing off defenders on a mazy 30 metre run, Gambles was on hand to take a neat inside pass and score. Then Blackpool racked their cue and sat back to watch Hornets' consumate demolition job.

On the hour John Braddish returned the favour to San Butterworth, stepping through traffic to deliver a well timed pass; Braddish again on 64 minutes, dinking a grubber behind the Panthers' posts for McConnell to dive in and score.

On 69 minutes, a rushed pass to winger Andy 'The Train' Saywell flew into touch with the line begging; on 70 minutes, the same move worked perfectly - Cantillon's cut-out pass giving The Train space to blast through his opposite number.

Andy Gorski got his reward for another afternoon of relentless graft in the second row - coming at pace off a McConnell pass to blast in and score after 75 minutes.

Bobbie - like the Hornets supporters - was delighted with a performance of pace, power and poise. "I'm made up," he said. "It was a team performance - we pushed forward... ran some good angles." He picked up on a couple of individual performances: "Doran was outstanding for 80 minutes and Butterworth will play Super League one day."

All in all, it was a satisfying afternoon. Hornets looking more like a slick unit capable of playing excituing, flowing football. More of this and we're in for a thrilling season!