Slow start costs Field as Hinckley show class
HUDDERSFIELD couldn’t quite halt the progress of a Hinckley side on a nine-game winning run in the league, succumbing to a 24-15 National 2 North defeat despite their valiant efforts.
A last-minute injury sidelined captain Dickie Piper for the game, which was a double blow to Field, losing not only a valuable No. 8 but also a prominent leader for an already tough fixture.
Yet Field returned to Lockwood Park with a look of confidence, utilising possession well and matching the physicality of the Hinkley side man for man in the early phases.
It had seemed like an eternity since Field had played at home, the ground had not seen first-team action for three weeks due to postponement of fixtures.
It took only 120 seconds for the first points to be scored. Charlie Morgan continues to prove his value to Gareth Lewis’ side by sliding over in the second minute.
Will Milner’s duties on the conversion and a penalty five minutes later gave Field a 10-0 lead to build on.
Hinckley’s form preceeding the tie was exemplified in the spark of brilliance which formed their first try on the 20-minute mark.
Breaking from their own line, Joe Wilson blitzed past all Field attempts to bring him down as he got the ball over on the line on 22 minutes to bring the score to 10-7.
A try which made clear that the Leicestershire side are deserving of their place in the table, which now has them contesting for a play-off place.
After the break, Hinckley damaged Field early on. Patience and strategic play on the five-metre line allowed for a fluid move to be finished off to put the visitors ahead for the first time that afternoon 14-10.
However, Field had not even shown a glimpse of cowering to the side in formidable form and their reply to going down was very much determined by the mind set of ‘any thing you can do, we can do better.’
Lockwood Park was gifted another dream try from Field on the 50-minute mark. Morgan initiated the move, sneakily squirming out of his own line of the five-metre marking and as he dashed to the halfway line the ball was offloaded to the supporting Tom Hodson who’s renowned speed saw him mirror his opposition’s effort in the first half. He sped over to make it 15-14.
Hinckley started to retain their foothold and began to tally up points going into the final 20 minutes. After a converted penalty kick, Hinckley extended
Caldy .......................................................... Fylde .......................................................... Hinckley ................................................... Sedgley Park ......................................... Loughborough Students .............. Stourbridge ........................................... Chester ..................................................... Hull .............................................................. Tynedale .................................................. Sheffield Tigers .................................. Wharfedale ............................................ Luctonians ............................................. their lead after another tactical passing move opened up space to get over the line to give the side a 24-15 score.
Field continued to press hard and experienced a lion’s share of the possession.
The tie was by no means over with the home still pushing on in the final ten minutes.
But Hinckley’s rugby was sharp, tactical and punishing – and they managed to maintain the lead until the final whistle.
“It’s disappointing not to get something out of the game considering the great start we made,” said head coach Lewis.
“We never recovered from the poor start to the second half, didn’t ask enough questions of Hinckley in attack and made too many individual errors.
“We’ll review the game and come back stronger against Tynedale next Saturday.”