Hornets get back to winning ways
HINCKLEY bounced back from last week’s last minute heartbreak against Sedgley Park with a workmanlike performance in difficult conditions against mid-table Sheffield Tigers writes Nick Robinson.
The bonus point victory at Dore Moor keeps Hornets level on points with leaders Sale who demolished South Leicester 39-7 at Heywood Road to maintain their drive for promotion.
A wet pitch and light rain suggested this would be a forward slog in the mud but in the event both sides were able to demonstrate elements of the run- ning game that they prefer, and served up a more entertaining game than the crowd might have expected.
The early exchanges were relatively even, although Hornets soon demonstrated their dominance in the scrum, a dominance that was maintained throughout the game.
Only an outstanding performance at the base of the scrum by Tigers No. 8 Lee Monks prevented Hornets causing havoc in that area.
Hornets opened their account on 15 minutes when a superb run from veteran Scott Hamilton saw him held up just short of the line, eventually setting up Dave Peck to drive over from close range.
Shortly afterwards, a short-range lineout, set up after Tigers infringed at the breakdown, almost resulted in a second Hornets try but the ball was dropped just short of the line.
James Martin also went close, just putting a foot in touch as he went over in the corner.
The crowd had to wait until the 33rd minute for any further score and it was that Hornets who were able to extend their lead when Callum Dacey punished Tigers with a penalty after they were penalised for diving over on their own 22m.
A further infringement from Tigers on the stroke of half-time after a significant period of Hinckley pressure saw the Hornets set up another short-range lineout and Luke Coltman drove over to score.
Dacey converted to give the Hornets a 0-15 lead going into the break.
On the return, Tigers took control, enjoying their best period of the game and forcing Hinckley to defend hard to maintain their lead.