Bad day at the office for Hinckley against title favourites
HINCKLEY travelled to Manchester to take on title favourites Sale in confident mood after last week’s hammering of Sheffield Tigers, and in the end, although they were right to be confident, pushing Sale throughout the game the home side were just a little bit better across most areas and were the deserving winners.
For the first time this year Hinckley were without captain Alex Salt, missing due to injury, allowing Joe Glover the opportunity to captain the side.
It also saw the return to league squad of former captain Ben Ashfield, for the first time in over three years.
Playing with the wind in the first half but on a very wet day, the early exchanges were cagey, with the first score not until the 14th minute, when a cross field kick was collected by Jack Moorhouse for the opening try for the home side.
Hinckley didn’t let this deter them, and two penalties from Joe Wilson meant they were well in touch.
However the killer moment came on half time when some good build up play from Sale let to a second try in the corner.
Now having to play against the wind and trailing 14-6 the task was always going to be tough, and it was only some excellent defensive work from the home side which stopped Hinckley from really putting significant pressure on the home side.
Sale worked hard to control the game with the boot and in the end this created an opportunity for a third try in the closing stages, which left the final score at 21-6.
Hinckley will hope to get back on track this weekend when they play host South Leicester.