Hinckley RFC junior round up
SYSTON RFC U13s V Hinckley RFC U13s
ON a chilly, yet pleasingly dry Sunday morning Hinckley Under 13s and their supporters travelled to Syston RFC.
Hinckley dominated from the outset with strong defence and counter rucking, providing Hinckley with good attacking positions, which the Hinckley scrum half capitalised on to score the first try of the match. Further strong defence from Hinckley forced another turnover and some good support along the line and passing between forwards and backs allowed another try by the inside centre making the score 0-10. This was quickly followed by the fullback catching a loose kick from Syston which allowed the outside centre to score Hinckley’s 3rd try. Hinckley’s 4th try was created from a Syston scrum, whereby a break by Syston was turned over and quick hands released the outside centre to run in and make the score 0-20 to Hinckley. Hinckley’s 5th try came from a loose pass by Syston, intercepted by the inside centre to run in unopposed.
The second half started with Hinckley maintaining their pressure on the Syston defence. A turnover at the ruck allowed the outside centre to pick and a go and score the 6th try. In quick response, Syston got there first try from a long kick through which they recovered and from quick ball were able to dart over the line and score, making the score 5-30. In the final moments of the game, Hinckley scored their 7th try from a quick tap penalty allowing the fly half to charge over the line.
Overall a strong Hinckley performance with some very effective defence pushing Syston back over and over again, along with some powerful running and continuity between backs and forwards creating a number of tries. A new player made his debut today and contributed well to the 2nd row with some excellent runs. Well done boys, excellent teamwork throughout.
Hinckley RFC U14s V Ashby RFC U14s
Due to a lack of match action in recent weeks, there was a level of apprehension in the Hinckley squad before kick-off in the U14s County Cup quarter final against Ashby.
The team’s concerns were swept away after only 2 minutes with a powerful run into the corner by the winger - nicely placing the ball under the posts for a conversion by the inside centre. The players were on the front foot, the team were well organised and vocal - putting into practice their training moves. There was some intensive forward play to follow with a series of scrums and crash balls followed by a powerful drive over the line and a try by a second row on 14 minutes.
Focus seemed to wane in the second phase of the first half, communication reduced, and errors were made - resulting in Ashby gaining a well fought try and conversion on 18 minutes. Hinckley made a wing and a second row substitution to regain focus and add fresh legs, but also to comply with the RFU guidelines this season that all selected players must play a minimum of 50% of match time. The remaining play of the half was split between forwards and backs of both sides - with some hard tackles made, accurate kicks into touch for line-outs and players were starting to slip and slide on the pitch which was getting muddy in places.
Several substitutions were made at half time (prop, second row, fullback) to the Hinckley line-up. Hinckley’s fitness and moves built on their confidence gained from the first half, and on 4 minutes in much ground was toughly gained from a breakdown, followed by a try by one of the props.
On 11 minutes in a call was made and the ball went down the line to the outside centre who powered over the line at speed - well supported at each shoulder by his fellow backs. Hinckley’s pace was demonstrated well again as another winger went in for their final try at 15 minutes. Final score 27-7.
Crewe & Nantwich RUFC Under 16s V Hinckley RFC Under 16s
Hinckley pretty much dominated their match against Crewe and Nantwich from start to finish, winning by 3-37 on a damp, grey November morning.
Hinckley’s Moore sent a kick behind the opposition defence, which Drakeford chased superbly, gathering the ball and driving over for the first try of the match, giving the visitors a 0-5 lead.
Hinckley’s second try came shortly after the re-start, Miller stealing the ball brilliantly from a ruck which was fed out to Jacques who proceeded to carve his way through the flailing opposition defenders to score from inside his own half. Drakeford’s conversion sailed over, extending Hinckley’s lead to 0-12.
Hinckley forwards set up a fantastic driving maul from the resulting line-out. The ball was superbly recycled and fed out to Moore, who jinked his way through to score Hinckley’s third try, increasing their advantage to 0-17.
Try number four came just before half-time, Smith making the initial break down the left wing before the forwards plundered their way into C&N’s 5m line with a series of fantastic driving mauls. Barnes and Drakeford piled forward and were both held up short, but the ball was recycled and passed out wide to Smith who splashed down to score, giving Hinckley a 0-22 lead going into the break.
Crewe were given a penalty which they managed to kick over.
Hinckley bounced straight back following the re-start, Buckler taking the catch and rampaging into C&N’s 22 with Burton and Underwood in support. Hinckley maintained possession and Moore exploited another faint gap in the opposition’s defensive line, slicing through to score his second and Hinckley’s fifth try, extending Hinckley’s lead to 3-27.
Hinckley were now in full flow and scored try number six shortly after the game re-commenced, as breaks by Burton, Wainde and Jacques took Hinckley into the opposition’s 22. Fountaine superbly chased a kick downfield, forcing a lineout on C&N’s 5m line, from which the forwards set up another brilliant driving maul to allow Burton to bundle over and score, giving the visitors a comfortable 3-32 lead.
Soon after Hinckley’s L. Whittingham showed superb support play to gather the ball and dive over for Hinckley’s seventh and final try, the score now 3-37 which it remained until the end.