Five try Bowyer steals the show as Hinckley pack dominate Bournville

Hornets opened their league campaign on a beautiful sunny late summer day with what turned out to be a comfortable win against a Bournville side that had struggled in the last campaign but who were optimistic that, with a new coaching regime and a few new faces, they would be more of a force in the division this year.

Bournville did indeed show that they may well prove a stronger side this season with a lively back division and, in Jacob Fewtrell, a fly-half who will trouble many teams. In the end, however, their young pack did not have the power to challenge the more formidable Hinckley eight who could rightly claim that all of Hinckley’s seven tries were of their making.

Hornets now sit at the top of the division although, after just the one game, it is way too early to read anything into that. There’s no doubt that it was a good start and the faithful will be happy with the outcome but the result did hide a number of underlying concerns which will need some work. Other than Ben Pointon’s snipe of the back of a 5m scrum, the backs did not contribute at all to the points total and indeed rarely threatened the Bournville try line. True that was in part because the pack were scoring freely on their own but there appeared to be an unhealthy preoccupation with scoring from distance which cost at least one try. Ambition is great to see, but reckless ambition costs games. Jack Ramshaw’s departure early in the second quarter with what looked to be a serious knee problem is also a major concern so early in the
season.

DOR Chris Campbell was generally happy with the performance whilst recognising there are improvements to be made. ‘It was a solid 6/10 performance to start the season - we showed some really positive ambition but our accuracy wasn’t there at times which meant we lost a couple of opportunities but playing this way builds pressure which then worked us opportunities to kick to the corner.’

‘We didn’t go into the game expecting to use the maul as much as we did but the opportunities presented themselves and the forwards took full advantage.’

‘We need to sharpen up on a lot of areas - our ball retention between our own 22 and 10 metre line wasn’t good enough and, although I felt the scrum was dominant, we didn’t use that well enough to create opportunities.’

‘That said, Bournville have recruited well over the summer, and to win by 7 tries to 3 is a good start. Loughborough next week though will be a completely different type of game.’

The direction the game would take became evident from the opening minutes. It took only four minutes for Dale Bowyer to claim the first of what would be five tries after Archie Heard had set up penalty line-out 5m from the Bournville line. Jack Ramshaw took the catch cleanly, the pack rolled on and Bowyer dotted down. When Heard converted off the post there was a feeling it was going to be Hinckley’s day.

Bournville though did respond quickly. After Hornets had successfully repulsed and turned over a penalty line-out in their 22m, the clearing kick proved a little short on distance and, from the second line-out Bournville, spread the ball wide and flanker Chris Idehan was able to cross for the score which Fewtrell converted to level the score.

Hinckley came back with a near carbon copy of their first effort albeit in the opposite corner as Bowyer again dotted down and Heard converted.

Back came Bournville as the first quarter came to a close with the two sides seemingly intent on trading scores. This was a giveaway though. Callum Dacey fielded the ball comfortably on his own 22m but opted for a long pass inside. That was collected but a second attempt to stretch the oncoming Bournville defence was easily intercepted to hand Bournville centre Sam Grimshaw the easiest of scores. Fewtrell levelled the scores.

Hornets did then start to exert an element of control as Bowyer snatched two more tries, both from catch and drives set up from penalties, to claim the bonus point. Fewtrell did though keep the visitors in contact with two penalties to leave the score at 26-20 when the referee blew for the break.

Pointon extended the lead almost immediately on the return. Hornets elected to take a scrum 5m from the Bournville line when the referee took offence at some Bournville foul play – something that cost Bournville lock Ben Meakin a yellow card. Pointon was fed from the back of the scrum and crossed the line without serious resistance.

A high tackle cost Hornets three points but Bowyer claimed his fifth try from yet another catch and drive after 52 minutes and, after Heard added the extras and the referee awarded Hinckley a penalty try with 15 minutes left on the clock after Bournville pulled down yet another short-range Hinckley catch and drive, the game was effectively over at 45-23.

Bournville did snatch a late consolation try before the end when a penalty line-out deep in the Hinckley 22m was quickly despatched right and winger Alex Evans was able to go over in the corner.

A good start but tougher challenges lay ahead!

Nick Robinson