Hinckley RFC leave it late to put game safe
Hinckley 36 - 22 Sheffield
ON PAPER, the visit of League 2 North new boys Sheffield to Leicester Road should have been a romp in the park for the Black and Ambers.
Without a win from their seven games in the higher division, the Sheffield team looked easy pickings for a Hinckley side unbeaten at home this season having scored an average of 45 points per game.
A casual observer browsing the results on Sunday morning may well have concluded that everything went to form. Hinckley outscored the visitors six tries to one, scoring 36 points and registering maximum points while denying Sheffield anything for their efforts.
Those of us who were there, however, would tell a very different story.
With less than 10 minutes of play remaining, Hinckley, with a howling gale at their backs, were pinned in their own half grimly hanging on to a one-score lead. A penalty award against the Black and Ambers five metres from their own line had the faithful holding their breath as Sheffield opted for a scrum.
Poor execution by the Sheffield pack, however, together with some tenacious Hinckley defence led to the visitors knocking on. Hinckley won a penalty from the resultant scrum and the danger was not only cleared but the home side had time to force their way down to the other end and drive Sheffield over their own line for try. Luke Coltman got the touch down in the final act of what was a rare piece of clinical execution in the second half from the Black and Ambers. Joe Wilson registered the extras as the referee blew for time with the score on 36-22 – heartbreak for the visitors and much relief for the home side.
Earlier, it had all started so well for Hinckley. Playing against a wind that meant every kick risked territorial loss, Hinckley secured a penalty on the Sheffield five-metre line and from the resultant catch and drive, Steve Harvey forced his way over to register the first score. Joe Wilson missed the conversion but the home side were 5-0 up after three minutes.