Seven wins in a row for Hinckley

HINCKLEY U15s overcame a strong, in-form and fired up Lichfield team in a blisteringly tense, physical game, notching up their seventh consecutive victory of the season with a 22-7 win, writes Andy Duggins.

Hinckley launched their first offensive through blazing runs by Burton, Allen, Hutton, Buckler and Jacques, but the Lichfield defence stood firm, as proved the case for the whole match.

Hinckley maintained their attacking intent, Allen and Jacques combining brilliantly like bangers and mash down the left flank, taking the game into Lichfield’s 22.

Lichfield sent a booming clearance kick downfield, which bounced around like a runaway Catherine wheel, until Smith neatly gathered the ball and rocketed down the wing for a dynamite opening score, giving Hinckley a deserved 5-0 lead.

Hinckley launched another assault as the game re-commenced, Burton, Jacques and Drakeford all making good yards.

Lichfield held out again and cleared their lines, the kick nearly knocking the BBC cameraman off his elevated perch.

The opening exchanges continued to be evenly contested, both teams struggling to break through stubborn defences, Mensforth-Grove and Goodwin putting in notable cracking tackles for the home side. Hinckley eventually broke the temporary deadlock as breaks from Jacques and Smith took them deep into Lichfield’s half. The ball was re-cycled and taken forward by Allen, who found Drakeford in support to take the pop pass and fizz over the line, increasing Hinckley’s lead to 10-0.

Lichfield immediately retaliated and reduced the deficit to 10-7, after capitalising on a lucky bounce to break through and score their only try of the game.

Hinckley came close to a third score as the first half came to an end, regaining possession following banging tackles by Hutton, Underwood and Buckler, then counterattacking through breaks by A. Whittingham, Allen, Underwood and Drakeford. But Lichfield managed to hold out as the half ended, Hinckley with a slender 10-7 lead.

Lichfield kicked off the second half and were immediately on the back foot as runs from Moore, Duggins, L. Whittingham, Drakeford and Golding took Hinckley into opposition territory. Hinckley attacked again from a scrum on Lichfield’s 22, Wainde finding Golding on the blind side, who sparkled through for a superb try extending Hinckley’s lead to 15-7.

Lichfield remained defiant, and came back at Hinckley shortly after the re-start, but crunching tackles by Jacques, Drakeford and Fountaine curtailed the threat. Hinckley counter-attacked through breaks by Drakeford, Burton, A. Whittingham, Jacques, Wainde, Dewfield and McManus, but they couldn’t find any gaps in the opposition defensive line. Lichfield sent another kick fizzing downfield, which full-back Giles scooped up and ran back into the mellay.

Hinckley finally broke the momentary deadlock, as Hutton charged forward up to Lichfield’s 22.

The ball was recycled and popped to Moore, who ran a glowing line to cut through the flailing tackles and score under the posts.

Drakeford converted to give Hinckley a more comfortable 22-7 lead.

The impasse continued as the game entered the final quarter, both sides unyielding in defence, Drakeford, Moore, Fountaine and Dewfield all putting in huge hits for the black and ambers. Hinckley remained as determined as Guy Fawkes and came close to a fifth score in the final play of the match, as runs by Miller, Moore, Jacques, Allen, Drakeford and Fountaine took the home side to within 5m of Lichfield’s line.

Hinckley maintained possession as Burton and McManus both tried to crash over, but the ball was eventually spilled and the referee blew off to end the game, final score Hinckley 22- 7 Lichfield.

This was arguably Hinckley’s toughest test of the season so far, which they overcame with an outstanding defensive display and some fantastic running rugby.

Well done all...