U14s maintain unbeaten run after stern test by local rivals
HINCKLEY U14s survived their first real scare of the season at local rivals Nuneaton but, despite an intense and brutal game, managed to maintain their unbeaten record for the season writes Andy Duggins.
Nuneaton kicked off and were clearly intent on disrupting Hinckley’s usual game, using their physical pack and “kick and chase” tactics from their back line.
Hinckley absorbed the pressure during the opening exchanges with solid defence, Underwood and Buckler putting in notable big hits.
Nuneaton were awarded a kickable penalty and went for the kick to establish an early 3-0 lead.
Hinckley retaliated immediately from the re-start, Jacques picking up a loose ball from a long kick-off, and great chase and tackle by Moore, to crash over for the visitors first try. The conversion missed the uprights but Hinckley had taken a 3-5 lead.
Nuneaton counter attacked as the game re-commenced, again using their big forwards to try to break Hinckley’s defensive line.
Hinckley won a scrum on their own 22m line, following excellent work from the front row of Miller, Newitt and Toon, from which Wainde fed the ball to Giles with Moore in support, taking the game up to the halfway line.
Jacques was on hand to receive the final pass at pace and blast through the Nuneaton midfield to score a superbly worked second try. The conversion drifted wide but Hinckley’s lead was extended to 3-10.
Nuneaton immediately reduced the deficit to 8-10 from the re-start, kicking through following a line-out and taking advantage of some hesitant Hinckley defending to pounce on the loose ball for their first and only try of the match.
Hinckley’s third try came shortly after, as a thundering tackle from Jacques on his opposite number resulted in a turnover, from which Drakeford picked up, darted through the cumbersome Nuneaton tacklers and dived over the line, increasing Hinckley’s advantage to 8-15 as the conversion fell short.
Nuneaton were not going to lie down and continued with their game plan, forcing Hinckley deep inside their own half.
A sublime steal by Moore put Hinckley back on the offensive, Jacques taking the ball forward before off-loading to Fountaine who was bundled into touch on the halfway line.
The half concluded with the score Nuneaton 8-15 Hinckley.
Hinckley brought on a number of replacements for the second half and went straight on the offensive following a turnover, forced by huge tackles from Allen and Underwood.
Wainde took the ball forward but was met with persistent aggressive defence from the home team.
The game continued to ebb and flow across the halfway line, like an immovable object meeting an unstoppable force, developing into a rather scrappy affair with handling errors from both teams which resulted in a series of scrums.
Hinckley launched the first meaningful attack of the second period with breaks by Allen, Burton, Goodwin, Jacques and L. Whittingham taking the visitors up to Nuneaton’s 22m line. Hinckley maintained the pressure, number eight Barnes picking up from the base of a scrum and surging forward.
The ball was recycled and carried up to within 5m of the Nuneaton try line by Burton.
Hinckley’s patience and discipline ultimately paid off, as Barnes, with another pick and go from a 5m scrum, found Drakeford in support who was held up just short of the line. Underwood appeared with the ball from the ensuing ruck and dived over for Hinckley’s well deserved first score of the second half.
Drakeford’s conversion split the mini-uprights taking the score line to 8-22.
Hinckley were now starting to dominate as Nuneaton’s resistance began to waiver.
Breaks from Allen, Miller and Hutton from the re-start took the visitors back into Nuns territory.
Hinckley attacked taking Hinckley back up to the Nuns 22.
Drakeford was on hand to take the final pass and splashdown in the corner for another superbly worked try.
The conversion sailed past the petiteposts but Hinckley’s lead was now a commanding 8-27.
Nuneaton launched their last kick and chase in the final play of the game but an excellent tackle by Dewfield on his debut forced a knock-on to end a very challenging but ultimately rewarding local derby; the final score Nuneaton 8-27 Hinckley.
Hinckley retain their unbeaten run after 16 matches.
This week they travel to Kettering.