Game two of Hinckley's pre-season programme took them to local neighbours Syston on Saturday. They are a side who always pose a massive challenge, beating Hinckley in the last meeting between the two sides in January and so the game was approached with the focus and intensity of a league fixture.

Playing against what was a very strong wind in the first half, Hinckley were reliant on their running game, which brought a try in the first five minutes, with Tom Hilyer running unopposed under the posts from a break from debutant Connor Mitchell. Hilyer converted his own score.

Syston replied with a penalty but straight from the kick off Hinckley won a penalty, kicked for the corner and from the lineout Sam Massaralla scored at the back of a maul, with the try awarded by his cousin Louis, who was refereeing the fixture.

Syston scored a converted try soon after to make it 12-10, however there were 2 quick fire tries from Hinckley just before half time. The first came when George Marsden cleaned up a loose ball in midfield, drew the full back and released Hilyer for his second. Then Mitch Lamb made an excellent long range break, and again the last defender was drawn to put in Mitch Culpin. Hilyer converted both tries. Syston replied with a second try and a penalty, leaving the half time score at 26-18.

Syston kicked a third penalty soon after the break but from that point it was all Hinckley with 5 tries to none in the second half. Lamb scored first after a mistake from one of the wingers on his own line, and this was then followed up with Glen Murray running in from half way after Rob Bryant has regained a box kick.

Murray set up the next try for Mitchell, before Alex Branson made a line break and finished the opportunity himself, with the final score then coming from Ewan Bartlett following good build up play from Culpin and Bryant. 2 of the second half tries were converted by Callum Rowe.

55 points scored, and more positive steps taken. A huge test is awaiting next weekend however, at home to Cinderford.

Hinckley: Hamilton, Lamb (1T), G Marsden, Murray (1T), Hastie, Culpin (1T), Hilyer (2T, 3C), Bartlett (1T), S Masseralla (1T), Peck, Marshall, Deaville, Mitchell (1T), Norton, Salt (c). Reps: Harvey, Ames, Macqueen, Branson (1T), Steptoe, Rowe (2C), Bryant, Hunt-Pain