A TRICKY trip to Hornets in Weston gave North Petherton the stern test they required in their first pre-season match of the new campaign as they lost by five tries to three.

The visitors started the first quarter with players in unfamiliar positions which tested the strength of the squad.

Hornets attacked continuously for the first ten minutes and put the Petherton back row under pressure, restricting them from moving upfield.

Hornets had a lively ten who orchestrated the tempo and most of their attacks were initated from him.

The second quarter saw Petherton revert to a more familiar positional line-up which resulted in Hornets defence being tested. Both teams ran through structures and attempted to test each other.

Fitness levels were put to the test in energy sapping conditions during the third and fourth quarters.

A nasty injury to a Hornets player resulted in a short break and a chance to rotate players.

It was a solid blow out for both teams and a chance for the new players to be implemented before the start of the new season in less than a month.

Tonight (August 21): NPRFC 2nd XV vs Minehead, 7.30pm.

Thursday: NPRFC vs Burnham, 7.30pm.