Pre-season friendly gives Hinckley a good workout

HINCKLEY RFC entertained National 2 South outfit Tonbridge Juddians at Leicester Road in what proved to be an entertaining preseason encounter from which both sides will have taken some positives.

In weather that turned from high summer to mid-winter during the game, Hinckley eventually ran out winners by 17-10, writes Nick Robinson.

First blood went to Hinckley after 17 minutes when sustained pressure from the Hinckley pack close to the Tonbridge line led to Mitch Lamb latching onto a precision pass from fellow centre Mitch Culpin to go over the line just to the left of the posts.

In a swirling wind, the attempted conversion from Connor Bullivant hit the upright and failed to go over.

Traffic was far from one-way, however, and the TJ’s hit back to take the lead after 26 minutes with a well-taken catch and try scored by Rhys Conlan and converted by Ryan Redman.

Further pressure from Tonbridge eventually resulted in flanker Ben Avent being yellow-carded for a professional foul when he hauled down the ball carrier within 10 metres of a penalty award to TJ’s. Ryan Redman further punished the offence with a straight forward conversion from in front of the posts to extend the Tonbridge lead on 34 minutes.

Not to be outdone, the Hinckley pack responded well, eventually allowing debutant winger Gareth Clark to go over the line on the stroke of half time.

Connor Bullivant converted to send the home in at the interval 12-10 leaders.

On their return, TJ’s were on the rack with the Hinckley backs looking likely to extend the home sides lead.

A certain try was wasted by a poor final pass after a superb break from within the Hinckley half, and two minutes later youngster Callum Rowe danced through the TJ’s defence only to be called back by the referee for an obstruction offence.

The Hinckley pressure did eventually yield points, however, when the Hinckley hooker went over on 60 minutes following an excellent drive from Captain Alex Salt.

That proved to be the end of the scoring.

Both sides continued to show enterprise but the defences proved up to it.

Attention now turns to the final pre-season friendly away to near neighbours Broad Street tomorrow (Thursday). Kick-off is at 7.30pm.

The season proper begins on September 2 when Hinckley entertain North East side Blaydon.

Kick-off is at 3pm and the club is hoping for a sizable attendance to get behind the Hinckley lads and get the season off to a strong start as George Chuter begins his reign as director of rugby at Hinckley RFC.