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Prematch News - Hinckley vs Tynedale - 17th Feb 2018

Prematch News - Hinckley vs Tynedale - 17th Feb 2018

John Tilley14 Feb 2018 - 12:43
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Tyne return to Leicester Road

After two weeks on the road, Hornets return to Leicester Road this week to take on promotion rivals Tynedale, land will hope to put last weeks disappointment against Sheffield behind them. There was no doubt that the ground conditions were a great leveller at Abbeydale Park, but Hinckley were far from their best. As George Chuter commented, ‘It was disappointing, but you have to play well, especially away from home, if you want to get a win in this league. You can't take any team for granted. There is still a lot to play for. A play off place/promotion has not gone yet but we have made it a lot tougher for ourselves.’

Victory against Tyne would go a long way towards reviving that dream. Tyne currently lie in fifth place in the division on 76 points from 20 games, six points behind Hinckley but having played two games fewer. Neither team can afford to lose if they are to stay in the promotion race.

Whereas Tyne will come into the game after a thumping 52-33 victory over South Leicester, their recent form suggests they are vulnerable. They have only won three from the last five, although it has to be said that the two defeats were away to Sale and Sedgley Park, both of whom have completed the double this season against Hornets.

Tyne have proved near invincible at home, having only lost the one match at Station Road, but Hornets can take heart from the fact that they inflicted that sole defeat 20-18 in a very tight game when they visited in October. Away from home, Tyne have proved much less convincing having won only five and lost four. Indeed they have not won on the road since December 2 when they edged a 38-40 victory over struggling Luctonians. If Hinckley can lift themselves after the Sheffield defeat, then a much needed win is on the cards.

Tyne like to run the ball, much like Hinckley, so from a spectator’s point of view an entertaining game is on the cards if the elements don’t intervene. They are currently the Division’s top points scorers, having accumulated 696 points in total from 20 games, an average of almost 35 per game (Hornets have slipped down the rankings a little recently and now average a little less than 30 points per game). The good news, however, is that defensively Hinckley have proved stronger conceding only 18.2 points per game, against Tyne’s 22.1. It won’t be dull, whatever the outcome.

News from the dug-out is relatively good in that Hornets did not pick up any further injuries at Sheffield. Steve Harvey and Jamie Skerritt both made successful returns to first team action, but it has been confirmed that Ben Avent will not play again this season. Joe Glover is also still struggling with a rib injury and is unlikely to start; Alex Salt is also doubtful.

Last season, honours were even between the two sides. Hornets won up in Corbridge but then missed out 15-19 when Tyne visited Leicester Road. This season, Hornets need to go one better. The weather looks good with sunny intervals and a balmy 8° predicted. Perhaps even better news is that both Thursday and Friday are forecast to be dry and sunny which will hopefully mean we will not be forced to endure a quagmire similar to that in Sheffield. Kick-off is 3.00pm as usual.

Nick Robinson

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