Lions went into this game on a run of eleven straight wins, including a heavy 23-50 victory against Hinckley on their last visit to Leicester Road back in April this year. Despite some optimism after Hinckley’s victory at Bournville last week, it was always likely that the Lions would extend that run on Saturday and so it proved.

Much as it pains the Hinckley faithful to admit, Lions are a classy outfit, and it would be no surprise if they are battling for promotion at the back end of the season when Hornets next visit Westleigh Park. They have a solid pack who dominated the lineouts, a lively and cohesive set of backs, a classy general at 10 in Ben Young, and, in Gareth Collins, a head coach who has done wonders for the Club over recent years.

That said, this game was not a repeat of the disappointing performance back in April. Hornets battled to the end and, indeed, scored two late tries to ensure that the final score reflected what was a hard-fought battle. Bar two aberrations, Hornets were magnificent in defence and, with the little ball that they secured, showed glimpses of the promise they emerged last week in the game against Bournville. All is not doom and gloom at Leicester Road!

Defence Coach Ben Avent gave due credit to the Lions after the game but was optimistic about the rest of the season. ‘The defensive effort, particularly in the first half, was magnificent and we showed plenty of fight scoring two late tries, but you can’t defend for 60 minutes against a side as good as Lions and expect to win. We weren’t inventive enough when we did have the ball, but I do still feel we are getting better as a team. We just need to keep working hard and it will come.’

First blood actually went to Hinckley after two minutes when Joe Wilson converted a penalty just wide of the posts after the Lions second row went off his feet in the ruck, and for the first quarter, Hornets had the best of the play. A brilliant break after six minutes from Hinckley’s 22m by Sam Everett carried him deep into the Lions territory but frantic Lions defence hauled him down just short. Mitch Lamb was almost away and clear from an interception on the Hinckley 22m but couldn’t quite control the ball and was yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on, a decision which simply demonstrated the silliness of the way referees currently interpret the law in this area. Joe Wilson was unlucky to hit the post with a drop goal attempt after Hornets came close from a line-out in the Lions 22m.

But as the half progressed, Lions began to gain the upper hand and Hornets found themselves under ever-increasing pressure as the interval approached. The dam was finally breached on the cusp of half-time. A Lions scrum under the posts was severely disrupted by the Hinckley pack but the ball still found its way to Lions full back Tom Williams who deftly worked a grubber kick through the Hinckley defence for winger Zac Bean to run onto for the try. Young converted and shortly afterwards, the referee blew for half-time with the score at 3-7.

Hinckley were very much still in the game but, after the interval, Lions continued to turn the screw with Hornets seemingly incapable of holding onto what little ball that came their way. Lions were imperious in the line-out on their own ball and were making a real mess of the Hinckley’s ball. Hornets found themselves trapped in their own half, unable to find a way out.

The Lions pressure eventually told after 65 minutes. After having secured a scrum in their own 22m after some defensive heroics, Hornets foolishly decided to try to run out of defence. Centre Ben Bevan was caught just inside the 22m, stripped of the ball and the ball went along the line for Bean to force his way over for a second try. It was a cruel way to concede! Young converted to make the score 3-14.

Hornets were still in it and continued to battle hard but shortly afterwards, they found themselves with a line-out on their own 5m line. Lions stole the ball, span it right, and after yet further defensive heroics, Hinckley simply ran out of defenders and Lions flanker Johny Murdoch had the simple task of running the ball over in the corner. Young converted.

If that didn’t kill the game, then a solo effort from former Hornet Devon Constant from the restart did. Collecting a loose ball almost on his own line, Constant shrugged off several would-be tacklers, chipped ahead and somewhat fortunately retrieved the ball to go over in the corner. It was a great effort but woeful tackling from the Hornets made Constant’s job so much easier. He should not have been allowed to get near.

With the score at 3-26 and with only ten minutes or so to go, surprisingly, Hornets had their best spell of the afternoon. Lions did perhaps relax a little, but it was still gratifying to see.

First, Wilson set up a penalty lineout deep in the Lions 22m. The lineout was won, and patient work eventually saw the pack roll over the line for the score.

Then, with time almost up, a classic catch and drive from the Hornets just inside the Lions half was fed out to Wilson to break the line, and Shae Nixon eventually took the ball some 15m out and forced his way to the line. Wilson’s conversion took the score to 15-26 and the referee’s whistle ended proceedings.

It was a case of too little, too late but it was a good memory to take into next week’s game away at Barnstaple.

Nick Robinson

Please note that the Hunters game scheduled for this coming Saturday (17 Sept) against Anstey will kick-off at 2.15pm, not 3.00 as originally planned. If you are planning to go down and watch, don't be late.