Hinckley travelled the short distance to near neighbours Nuneaton for an important local derby in N3M. The visitors were forced into some changes in personnel from the mauling dished out to Newport last week. Both Matt Fearn and Sam Greasley were unavailable, however, Tom Morris slotted back into the back row with Tom Hillyer making his first appearance of the season on the left wing. The bench being made up of Liam Warren, Rich Harris and Tom Sanderson.

The game was moved from the stadium pitch, courtesy of the football club, no doubt in fear of the surface cutting up when scrummaging in the very wet conditions. Handling conditions were difficult for both sides throughout the game as the wind and rain didn’t let up. The respective forward packs would have the responsibility to determine who would win the game.

Hinckley kicked off and immediately the conditions began to dictate the tactics employed. Any high ball put the receiver at a disadvantage as the Nuns back three immediately found out. Mark Lord opened the scoring for Hinckley with a penalty while home fly half Dan O’Brien cancelled that score out with one of his own. Tied at 3-3 with Tom Hillyer and Nun’s Matt Gibb in the bin the home side made a concerted effort to score via their driving play and catch and drives from line outs gained close to the Hinckley line. However, the visitors literally weathered the storm and the leagues meanest defence held firm turning defence into attack. Alex Salt benefitted from the break out to score on the right after good approach work from backs and forwards alike. Lord added the conversion to move Hinckley out to a 3-10 lead. More good close contact pick up and drives had the visitors threatening again resulting in Tom Morris getting over the line for Hinckley’s second try. The wind took hold of the conversion attempt, but the visitor’s had achieved a creditable 12 point cushion leading into the break in grim conditions.

The second half was played mainly in midfield with neither teams able to break down each others defence. Handling mistakes, crooked line out throws and wayward kicking dominated the proceedings and the normally dominant Hinckley scrummage creaked under some pressure from Nuneaton. Having gained a very kickable penalty in front of the Nun’s posts a stamp in order to release the ball gained Steve Harvey a ten minute sojourn in the bin and in the dry! The penalty was reversed although any subsequent home attacks were repulsed, normally within their own half.
Liam Warren replaced Luke Coltman, Rich Harris replaced Joe Glover with Tom Hillyer going to scrum half for the latter part of the game. Hinckley were caught offside with minutes to go as O’Brien added his second penalty to narrow the gap to 6-15.
Hinckley saw out the game to add to their unbeaten league run and with Old Hales surprisingly losing at home opened up a seven point margin at the top.

However, crunch time next week at Leicester Road as the aforementioned Old Hales are the visitors - should be one hell of a showdown - Be there!