U14s stun undefeated Oakham
HINCKLEY U14s travelled to last year’s County Cup winners Oakham RFC, also unbeaten this season, expecting to face a serious challenge.
It was, however, a baptism of fire for the home team as the simmering black and ambers scored within two minutes.
Oakham kicked off to Hinckley, playing in their blue strip, and the visitors soon gained territorial advantage kicking long from an early penalty.
Hinckley’s chase was good and a crunching tackle from Allen resulted in a turnover. Underwood took the ball forward before off-loading to Smith who ran in Hinckley’s first score of the morning.
The conversion from out wide was missed but Hinckley had an early 0-5 lead.
Hinckley were straight back on the offensive following the re-start, runs from Duggins, Goodwin and Miller coming up against some ferocious tackling.
Hinckley maintained possession through a number of phases but couldn’t break through Oakham’s solid defence.
The ball was eventually passed out wide to Jacques, who crashed through at pace to score Hinckley’s second try, which Drakeford converted, taking the score to 0-12.
Hinckley’s third try came from Drakeford who straightened the line superbly, creating space for Jacques who rounded the opposition defence to score his second and Hinckley’s third try. Drakeford’s conversion split the uprights, extending Hinckley’s lead to 0-19.
A stunned Oakham side launched their first meaningful attack from the re-start but were met by an equally sturdy Hinckley defence, A. Whittingham and Allen making notable tackles in midfield.
Hinckley turned over the ball and counter-attacked, Buckler galloping up to the half-way line. The ball was recycled and passed out wide but an interception by Oakham should have resulted in their first try but the ball was dropped over the line and Hinckley were let off.
Hinckley continued to dominate throughout a very physical first half of rugby, strong runs from Jacques, Underwood, Buckler, Allen and Smith taking them up to Oakham’s 10m line.
Hinckley maintained possession following some excellent work from the forwards, brutally clearing out at the ruck, allowing Drakeford to pick up and dart over for another Hinckley score. His conversion bounced off the upright, taking the score to Oakham 0-24 Hinckley. The first half ended 0-24. Hinckley continued the second half with pressurising the opposition’s defence as the pack zig-zagged towards Oakham’s try line.
Oakham managed to turn over the ball and tried to run from their own line, but a textbook tackle from Fountaine resulted in another Hinckley turnover.
Wainde fed the ball out wide to Smith who ran in Hinckley’s opening try of the second half. The conversion fell short but Hinckley’s lead was extended to 0-29.
Further tries from Allen, Jacques and Drakeford (2) kept Oakham at bay until they finally broke through Hinckley’s defence to score from a penalty 10m out, taking the score to 5-55.
Hinckley responded immediately as Miller, Moore, Duggins, Burton and Giles, made strong runs.
Hinckley’s pack, down to seven following a sin binning, won a scrum brilliantly against the head following which Giles fed the ball to Allen who danced his way through for Hinckley’s 10th and final try. The conversion fell short but the lead was now 5-60 which is how the match ended.