Hinckley youngsters carry on winning ways into new year
HINCKLEY U14s welcomed in the new year with a return fixture against Syston RFC, following a five week layoff without a competitive game.
In the previous encounter the black and ambers put over 90 points past their opponents and the crowd were hoping for a repeat performance to take their minds off the freezing temperatures writes Andy Duggins.
Syston kicked off against an almost full-strength Hinckley squad, during the initial exchanges, this typically big Syston unit appeared to be gunning for retribution following the previous drubbing.
This was, however, short-lived, as they kicked long from a penalty but failed to make touch.
Moore gathered the ball and made good ground, before off-loading to Jacques who powered his way through from the halfway line to score Hinckey’s opening try. Drakeford converted to give the home team an early 7-0 lead.
Three more Hinckley tries were scored in quick succession without reply by Moore (2) and Allen. Syston’s heads were beginning to drop, but Hinckley did not show any mercy as Duggins put in a strong run from the re-start taking the game back into Syston’s half.
The ball was again superbly recycled and neatly passed out wide to Fountaine, who showed he hadn’t lost any of his pace during the Christmas break to round his opposite number and score under the posts.
Drakeford converted taking the score to Hinckley 33 – 0 Syston.
Syston made their first foray into Hinckley’s half after the game re-commenced, and attacked from a penalty on Hinckley’s 22 metre line.
A crunching tackle from Hutton forced a turnover and Hinckley counter-attacked through a darting Drakeford break in which he danced his way up to the opposition’s try-line before being hauled down two metres short.
Underwood showed great support play to pick up the re-cycled ball and dive over for another Hinckley try.
The conversion was missed but Hinckley’s lead was now 38-0.
Hinckley brought on a number of the replacements and went back on the offensive as the game re-commenced through excellent runs from Giles, Hutton and Buckler, taking Hinckley deep into Syston territory.
Syston hadn’t given up and launched an attack from a scrum inside their own half but a flying Fountaine tackle kept them at bay.
Hinckley counter-attacked through a clean break from Smith, who was high-tackled five metres out.
Burton took the crash ball from the resulting penalty and powered over for Hinckley’s seventh try, further increasing the home team’s advantage to 43-0 as the conversion fell short.
Fountaine glided through the opposition for his second try, taking the score-line to 48-0 as the conversion was missed.
Hinckley hit the half-century in the final play of the first half, as runs from Smith and McManus took the black and ambers into Syston’s 22.
Burton was in support to crash through the tiring Syston defence for his second score of the game.
The conversion fell short but Hinckley had established a commanding and thoroughly deserved 53-0 half time lead.
Hinckley brought on more replacements for the start of the second half, which Syston appeared to be fired up for, as they launched an attack after receiving Hinckley’s kick-off.
Hinckley’s defence remained solid as Giles, Wainde, Duggins, Burton, Underwood, Buckler and A. Whittingham all made notable tackles, eventually forcing a turnover.
Toon then put in a surging run, taking Hinckley back into Syston’s half and forcing a penalty for off-side.
Wainde took a quick tap-penalty and popped the ball to Underwood, who found himself in an unusual position on the left wing, but he pinned back his ears and, like a crab on steroids, made a superb run (sideways) fending off several flailing Syston defenders to score a brilliant solo-try in the corner.
The conversion went wide but Hinckley’s lead had increased to 58-0.
Syston’s brief resurgence started to fade.
A pass went loose in midfield which debutante Golding superbly pounced on to score Hinckley’s second try of the half and extend their lead to 63-0 as the conversion was missed.
Futher ties by Hutton and Jacques took the score to Hinckley 75-0 Syston.
Hinckley continued to play disciplined rugby right up to the final whistle, with notable runs from HurleySmith, Golding and L. Whittingham in attack, and strong tackles by Giles and Smith in defence, which forced a turnover to end a very enjoyable game of rugby, credit going to the Syston team for turning up and giving the lads a game.
Hinckley U14s have now won 11 out of 11 games this season, next up it’s Worcester (away) who have promised to give the black and ambers a run for their money.