Lions tamed by Hinckley

ON a wet pitch and in difficult conditions, a ruthless display of power rugby from Hinckley destroyed a Leicester Lions side who came into the match with high hopes of reclaiming local bragging rights from their near neighbours writes Nick Robinson.

First half tries from Mitch Culpin and Joe Glover, coupled with a second half brace from James Martin and Rhodri Tanner saw the Hornets collect another five point maximum.

The performance also denied a side who had previously averaged 23 points per game even a consolation score.

In truth, with one exception, the Lions never really threatened to score throughout the match.

The Hinckley defence was excellent throughout, containing the Lions pack and denying the dangerous Lions backs the space to run.

The one exception came when a wayward Hinckley pass in the Lions 22 ended up in the arms of the Lions centre to give him a clear run for the line.

However, a superb cover tackle by James Martin, who had run the length of the field to take his man three metres out from the Hinckley line, resulted in the ball being bundled into touch and the danger was cleared.

Arguably, that tackle decided the game.

The early exchanges were relatively even, although there were signs that the Lions pack were in for a difficult afternoon in the scrum.

An early catch and drive effort from the Hornets resulted in Tom Wheatcroft being bundled into touch two metres from the line and Lions cleared their lines from the subsequent lineout.

It was not until the 18th minute that Hinckley opened the scoring.

A classic cross field kick from Wheatcroft found Culpin unchallenged three metres out to cross for what surely must be one of the simplest tries he will score.

Joe Wilson missed the conversion but Hinckley were 5-0 ahead.

Wilson made amends five minutes later when Lions were penalised for handling in the ruck in front of their posts.

The rest of the half saw Lions perhaps edging the proceedings, with Hinckley surviving a period of sustained pressure around the half hour mark when a Lions knock on allowed the Hornets to clear their lines.

As half-time approached, however, Lions were under pressure and a series of pick and drives on their line eventually saw Joe Glover get over to extend the Hinckley lead. Wilson added the extras to take Hornets into the break 15-0 ahead.

The opening period of the second period saw the Hinckley pack begin to dominate particularly in the scrums but Lions would not lie down and Hornets were still required to demonstrate their defensive prowess.

Then came Martin’s try saving effort on 65 minutes. Following that the Lions seemed to wilt and the Hornets took advantage.

An outstanding kick out of defence from Wilson following a melee involving most of the players on the field saw Hinckley set up yet another catch and drive position but a wayward throw saw the ball lost.

Minutes later a scrum inside the Lions 22 resulted in Wheatcroft launching another cross-field kick to find Martin who twisted out of the tackle to score.

Wilson converted to take the score to 22-0 with 10 to play.

Six minutes later, Lions were penalised in the scrum in their own 22, allowing Hornets to set up another catch and drive attempt.

This time there was no mistake with Tanner touching down from a well executed maul to secure the bonus point.

Wilson missed the conversion but there was little now to play for and the game meandered towards the final whistle.

Hornets entertain Sedgely Park next week at Leicester Road in what could be a make or break match for both sides.

Hinckley are now four points clear at the top of the division with pre-season favourites Sale breathing down their necks.