Ring-rusty youngsters take easy win over Vipers
DESPITE a slightly ring-rusty performance and with four players sidelined through injury, Hinckley U15s notched up their sixth consecutive victory of the season with a comfortable 47-7 win over a much-improved Vipers XV.
Hinckley kicked off, following a one minute’s silence in respect of the Leicester City helicopter crash, and immediately went on the offensive.
Hinckley were rewarded with a penalty 10m out, from which Burton and Drakeford went close with typically bullish runs. The ball was re-cycled and neatly passed through the hands of Wainde, Underwood, A. Whittingham, Jacques and finally Dewfield, who ghosted over in the corner for a well worked try to give the black and ambers a 5-0 lead.
Hinckley regained possession, Smith making a devilish break over the halfway line before being hauled down. Hinckley retained the ball, following excellent support play by the forwards, allowing the backs to demonstrate their superiority through runs by Allen and A. Whittingham, with L. Whittingham in support who scythed through the Vipers defence for Hinckley’s second try. Allen converted, extending Hinckley’s lead to 12-0.
Hinckley’s third try eventually came following another quickly taken penalty, Burton and Allen taking the ball forward with A. Whittingham in support who splashed down over the line. Allen’s fangtastically struck conversion split the uprights taking the score to Hinckley 19 – 0 Vipers.
A spirited Hinckley side were becoming increasingly dominant and starting to play with more fluidity, which appeared to put the frighteners on the visitors, as Hinckley attacked again through monstrous runs by Goodwin, Allen, Burton, Dewfield, Underwood and Duggins. The ball was superbly re-cycled and popped to Jacques at pace in the centre, who screeched through for his second and Hinckley’s fourth try. Allen’s successful conversion increased Hinckley’s advantage to 26-0.
Hinckley’s fifth score came straight after the re-start, Burton catching the kick-off and making good ground with Toon and Drakeford in support. The final pass found Jacques out-wide who blasted down the wing for his second score, and another beautifully struck conversion from Allen took the score to Hinckley 33 – 0 Vipers as the half time whistle shrieked.
After the break, Vipers sent a long kick downfield, which full-back L. Whittingham gathered and ghosted his way back into Vipers half, with support from Jacques, A. Whittingham, Dewfield and Goodwin. The ball was re-cycled and passed to Jacques on the charge in midfield, who carved his way through for a superb hat-trick, a treat of a try for the cackling home supporters. Another sweetly struck conversion by Allen extended Hinckley’s advantage to 40-0.
Vipers bit back and attacked as the game re-commenced, snaking down the right wing, but a spirited tackle from Fountaine stopped any real momentum. Hinckley counterattacked from the resulting line-out, Giles with a wicked kick through deep into Vipers’ territory. Jacques gathered the loose ball and made further ground, with Hutton and Toon in support, but the ball was spilled over the line.
Hinckley came close again follow- ing a sublime line-out steal and break by Burton. Hutton was in support, whose off-load found Jacques at pace but he was tackled 2m short of the line. Vipers tried to run the ball clear but a haunting tackle by Buckler allowed Burton to steal the ball and crash over, but the try was not given. Vipers were let-off, again...
Hinckley’s seventh and final try eventually came, Hutton picking up and diving over from a ruck, following breaks by Allen, Jacques and Buckler. Allen made it six conversions out of seven, as another monster kick soared over from the touchline, taking the score to Hinckley 47 – 0 Vipers.
Vipers were determined to get a consolation try, and their persistence paid off in the final play of the match as they crashed through following a series of penalties and scrums in Hinckley’s 22.