A Game of two halves.

Hinckley faced the big and strong Leicester Forest, as a warm up for the County Cup prelims. On a cold morning, the Hinckley boys were up for a competitive contest against the known side of Leicester Forest.
From the first minute, it was obvious the Hinckley boys were in for a tough match, crunching tackles from both teams in the early stages, set the scene for a physical game. Hinckley enjoyed some early possession in Forest’s 22 with the forwards recycling the ball and gaining ground. A spilled ball found its way to Forest’s big, strong and fast center who ran the entire length of the pitch for Forest’s first try of the day.
Hinckley continued to take the game to Forest, having most of the possession and territory. Leicester Forest however capitalised on numerous Hinckley handling errors and ran in four more breakaway tries. Hinckley’s forwards never gave up and played some excellent phases of rugby. Recycling the ball and moving up the pitch as a pack, Barnes broke away, and running into space a certain try was on, an injured forest player prevented the ball from being grounded as the ref stopped play to avoid the player being ran over by the chasing pack. Fair play to the ref who awarded the try any way, and Hinckley were finally on the score sheet.
The Hinckley boys now knew that Forest weren’t invincible and a game was on. Hinckley moving the ball out to the wings, and Piella getting tackled into touch just short of the line, Hinckley were unlucky not to pull a couple of tries back. Leicester Forest then scored another try and went into the break 30-5 up.

The second half was Hinckley’s half, what a difference a bit of wind and a slope makes. Hinckley came out for the second half fired up, after a team talk from the coaches, the boys were told they were giving forest too much respect and to take the game to them. This they duly did. Straight from the kick off Hinckley used the slope and pressurised Forest.
The Hinckley forwards were now dominating the game and kept Forest pinned in their own 22. Eventually moving the ball out wide for Smith to score in the corner. With Hinckley growing in confidence they continued to dominate a tiring Forest side at the breakdown and in the scrum.
Whittingham scoring under the posts after Hinckley won the scrum against the head and moving it out quickly to the center’s. Hinckley kicked the restart and immediately put the pressure on, Drakeford ripped the ball made hard yards, off loaded to Burton who powered through Forest defense for Hinckley’s 3rd try in 6 minutes. Hinckley fourth try of the half came from a great run by Whittingham just getting held up on the line, excellent support from the forwards with Goodwin picking up the loose ball and diving for the line.
Forest Kicked deep into Hinckley’s territory, Whittingham and Fray secured the ball, with the forwards forming a maul Barnes shipped the ball out quick, every player in the back line then took the ball at pace as it made its way out to Al-Salloum on the wing, who sped around Forest’s full back for a perfect team try.
Forest were still dangerous though and scored another couple of breakaway trys against the run of play.
Hinckley forwards were now making a difference, recycling the ball for numerous phases, fly half Smith running onto Hutton’s off load to be tackled just short of the try line, excellent support play by Toon picking up the ball and diving over to narrow the gap to a single try. Hinckley’s new found belief had them continue to pressure Forest who could not clear their line. The forwards again out rucked Forest resulting in the equalising try from Barnes.

With two minutes to go it looked as if Hinckley had secured a well-deserved draw, however Forest had other ideas and scored the winner with thirty seconds to go. Final score Leicester Forest 45 – 40 Hinckley.

An excellent game of rugby from two great teams, played in the right spirit with a lot of mutual respect from both sides.