Hinckley stick the boot in to win close game
A PULSATING see-saw encounter between Leicestershire rivals Hinckley and Leicester Lions saw Hinckley grab the honours at the death.
Joe Wilson, standing in at fly-half for the absent Callum Rowe, was the star of the show, scoring 22 points to help the Leicester Road side record their third successive win of the campaign and their first over the Lions since their return to National 2.
The value of a goal kicker was shown with Wilson’s performance.
With Lions outscoring Hinckley six to four on tries, Wilson kicked seven from seven for Hinckley while Lions could only convert two of their six tries.
First blood went to Hinckley after just three minutes when Wilson landed a penalty from the 10-metre line after Lions infringed at the breakdown.
The Lions’ response, however, was immediate.
From the kick-off they regained possession and, having moved the ball from right to left, returned it with a sweeping movement across the pitch, ending with former Hinckley winger Devon Constant scoring in the left hand corner.
Wilson soon regained the lead from a scrum penalty - an area where Lions have struggled so far this year to leave the score 6-5 after nine minutes.
Eight minutes later Hinckley got their first try.
James Martin had a golden opportunity to extend the Hinckley lead but couldn’t ground the ball after a brilliant chip and chase.
From the next play, however, scrum half Joe Glover fed the winger to finish in the right hand corner. Wilson’s conversion left it at 13-5.
Ben Marshall then drove over from a few metres out on 31 minutes and Wilson’s conversion (which took him to 100 points for the Club in just his 10th game since joining from Nuneaton) seemed to give the Black and Ambers a comfortable lead going into the interval.
Lions had other ideas, scoring their second try from a maul, to give a half-time score of 20-10.
After the break, Hinckley struggled to assert themselves with Lions dominating both possession and territory.
Lions forwards grabbed a third try to close the gap and Constant grabbed his second shortly after. Both tries were converted by Biden to put Lions ahead 24-20.
Back came Hinckley, and after a masterful kick from Joe Glover to make 40 metres out of nothing, veteran hooker Luke Coltman took up his normal place hanging at the back of the maul to score the third try.
The bonus point score was again made by Glover, having one of his best games in a Hinckley shirt.
Taking a quick tap penalty on the halfway line and making ground to the 22, he then fed Wilson who went over under the posts. The score was now 34-24 with around 15 minutes to go.
Lions however weren’t done - James Morgan skipped over down the right touchline and when Alex Smith went over the scores were tied at 34 all.
However, another scrum penalty went Hinckley’s way on the 22, allowing Wilson to kick the home side to victory.
Lions did the double over Hinckley last season, finishing third in the Division. Saturday’s victory for the Leicester Road side suggests that a top six finish is possible for George Chuter’s men. The fact the victory was achieved after injuries and other absences had forced a raft of changes to the starting lineup underlines that potential.
This week’s outing sees Hinckley travelling to Manchester to take on Sedgley Park.