”He’s No Chicken, Nugget..”

Hinckley were nervous right from kick-off, which Drakeford managed to direct straight at the back of the referee’s head! From the re-start Lutterworth caught Hinckley half asleep, taking advantage of a strong autumn breeze to send a long kick down field which their chasing players capitalised on to score the first try of the game.
Hinckley settled down as the game got going with some solid work at the scrum which they continued to dominate throughout the game. But Lutterworth proved stubborn in defence and after a turnover at the ruck they ran the ball through their backs’ hands to score their second try after 10 minutes. This seemed to wake Hinckley up and they subsequently put some excellent phases of play together. Following a marauding run by Burton , Drakeford was bundled into touch just short of the opposition line. Hinckley were now starting to control the game and, after a good break from a line-out deep in their own half, Drakeford finished off a fine move to touch down out wide to make the score 5-10.
An unfortunate lapse in concentration then ensued and Lutterworth bounced straight back, scoring shortly after the re-start to take a 15-5 lead. Hinckley again seemed antagonised by another score against the run of play and, following surging runs from A Whittingham and Burton, the ball moved through several pairs of hands. “Let it go” sang coach Barnes like a scene from Frozen as Drakeford crossed the line for the second time just before half-time to close the gap to 10-15.
All Hinckley’s replacements came on for the second half which started the same as the first had finished, with Burton crashing through the tiring Lutterworth defence before off-loading to Drakeford who completed his hat-trick to level the score at 15-15. Shortly after the re-start Hinckley continued to pressure the Lutterworth defence with Fray creating space to set up Drakeford for his fourth try of the day which took Hinckley into the lead for the first time.
Lutterworth refused to lie down though and came back at Hinckley, whose defence was now looking better through some unyielding tackling and turnovers at the ruck. Hinckley continued to break the gain line in attack, with Buckler, Hutton and Miller making notable strong runs with the ball. But Lutterworth held firm and sent a long defensive kick down field which Ellershaw gathered and made excellent ground with to put Hinckley back in an attacking position. Some terrific rugby followed with good ball retention and slick handling and, from a ruck five metres short of the Lutterworth line, Newitt darted through only to be held up on the line.
This was the last play of an excellent match well contested by both teams; the final score Lutterworth 15 Hinckley 20.