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Hinckley v Sale – Match of the Season?

Hinckley v Sale – Match of the Season?

John Tilley24 Jan 2018 - 12:58
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Hinckley play Sale in what could be the pivotal game of the season

Hornets successfully bounced back from the disappointment of defeat to Sedgley Park and being toppled from the top of the division with a 5 try drubbing of Sheffield Tigers at Dore Moor. It was not enough though to regain top spot as Sale too completed a comfortable bonus point win over South Leicester at Heywood Road. Other results went in favour of the top two, however, with Sedgley Park taking the honours against Tynedale by a single point, and Stourbridge losing to Chester at Hare Lane.

If anything the battle at the top has tightened even more. Sale lead Hinckley on points difference alone but also have a game in hand. Sedgley Park are in third 6 points behind with a game in hand. Stourbridge, also with a game in hand, are a further point behind, with Tynedale in fifth, 10 points behind the leaders but with 2 games in hand. Last week I reported that it could hardly get any closer… but it just did!

And it has set up this Saturday at Leicester Road what is arguably the biggest game in the recent history of Hinckley Rugby Club. Sale, the aristocrats of the division and pre-season title favourites, are the visitors. Should Hornets win, then the promotion dream begins to look like a reality; should they lose, then a season that has promised so much may finish up delivering nothing but disappointment.

Form is with the visitors. Sale have not lost since October last year when Tynedale edged the tightest of games 7-5 at Corbridge. Since that time they have won 11 straight games, including a thumping 39-16 away win at Stourbridge and a 20-13 victory over Sedgley Park at Heywood Road. In the reverse fixture with Hornets, Sale ran out comfortable winners at 21-6 in very wet conditions.

Notably, that is the only game this season in which Hornets have failed to score a try. Defensively, no other side to date has been as effective as Sale. Hinckley have conceded 320 points in their 19 games, comfortably fewer than any other side in the league…. except Sale. They have conceded only 222 points in 18. Hornets will need to find a way to unlock that defence if they are to have a chance on Saturday.

Last season, Sale thumped Hornets 40-6 at Leicester Road, although the return fixture was perhaps one which Hinckley could and should have won, eventually going down 25-14. A first ever victory over the Cheshire side is well overdue.

News from the dug-out is good. Matt Fearne successfully came through the first 40 minutes against Tigers on Saturday and will be available for selection. There were no other injury concerns as far as we are aware after the Tigers game. Joe Glover and Steve Harvey continue to recover and may be available for selection this weekend.

As sporting theatre goes, Saturday’s game would be difficult to match. Two teams locked at the top of the division in what promises to be a season defining match for both. New boys Hinckley looking to topple the aristocrats from the North West for the first time in their history. The two highest scoring sides in the division set to do battle with the divisional top spot the prize. It will be a cracker! Don’t miss it. Kick-off is 3.00.

Nick Robinson

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