Hinckley held off a late fightback by Luctonians at Mortimer Park on Saturday to record their first away win of the season and climb to seventh in the division. It was not a victory that the pundits would have predicted leading into the game with Luctonians riding high in second place and having lost only once this season but Hinckley had recorded 12 points from a possible 15 in their last three games and had shown a steady improvement in recent weeks which the home side would have been wise to note. On the day, Hinckley deserved their win and illustrated once more that there is little to separate the teams in this division and that anyone can beat anyone on their day.

Hornets, having built up a 14-point cushion going into the final quarter, did have to survive a nail-biting final 20 minutes (including ten minutes with only 14 men after Mitch Lamb had been carded for what seemed like an innocuous challenge) during which the home side scored two tries and closed the gap to a single score with four minutes to go. But survive they did and in so doing set aside recent concerns that they were unable to close out tight games in which they had the advantage. It will have provided a huge confidence boost for a team that has not to date fulfilled expectations this season.

The return of Callum Dacey from injury proved a major bonus and man of the match Nick Tarr was excellent in a much more mobile back-row which perhaps was the difference between the two sides. The line-out, though not perfect, showed improvement and the backs in general, marshalled by Rory Vowles on his hundredth appearance for the Club, looked sharper and more incisive than their opposite numbers. All in all, it was a very satisfactory day at the office for the Leicester Road men.

Defence coach Ben Avent justifiably gave his most upbeat assessment of the season to date in his post-match comments. ‘We knew beforehand that today would be a physical battle, and the lads really fronted up. Defensively, we were outstanding, by far our best performance of the season in that area. All of the lads put their bodies on the line and, although it got tight at the end, we were the better side on the day. The boys stuck to the game plan and thoroughly deserved the win.’

‘It’s also great to see some of the young Hinckley lads, who’ve been at the club since they were six years old, stepping up and making their mark. We’ll work hard again this week and look forward to the challenge of Old Reds at home.’

It was a beautiful windless autumn afternoon as Hinckley kicked off with the sun at their backs. Hornets had to survive an early catch and drive attempt by the home side from 10m out but they managed to secure a turnover and the danger passed.

Hinckley then took the lead with just six minutes on the clock. A line-out 35m from the Lucts’ line was secured, Ben Pointon fed Vowles who put in a clever grubber kick through the Lucts’ defensive line. Dacey collected the ball and carried to within 10m before off-loading to enable Tarr to go over for the score.

The story of the next 15 minutes though centred around a struggling Hinckley scrum where they conceded a series of penalties and, even though Lucts were unable to take advantage, it was a welcome change when Isaac Thompson came on to bolster the scrum with Oscar Harper switching to the more familiar loose-head position. Hinckley ceased to struggle in the scrum and if anything secured a slight edge from that point on.

Dacey made an excellent break from hallway off the back of a scrum but was hauled down short and shortly afterwards, Hinckley overthrew a catch and drive opportunity from 15m.

But Hinckley were on top and Vowles set up another catch and drive attempt from 15m after Lucts were penalised for a high tackle. The drive was held but the ball was worked left and Dacey was eventually able to find a gap to go through for the score. Vowles converted to make it 0-12.

Six minutes later Hinckley added a third. Lucts overthrew their own line-out just inside their 22m, Hinckley snaffled the ball and, after a few phases, Will Callan was able to sneak through for the score, Vowles adding the extras.

At 0-19, Hornets looked to be heading for a comfortable victory as half-time approached but a misjudged kick out of defence from Hinckley gave Lucts a lineout on the Hinckley 22m and an opportunity to close the gap. Lucts won a penalty and set up a catch and drive from 5m. This time there was no mistake and the ball was driven over the line for No. 8 Jack Goodwin to dot down – 5-19 at the break.

On the return, Hinckley again fell foul of their worrying habit of conceding an early try after the break. This time it was another catch and drive and although Hinckley almost stole the ball, it went loose behind the line and loose-head Brad Smith was able to drop on the ball for the score. When Tom Jones converted the Hinckley lead was down to one score.

Hinckley restored the points differential nine minutes later when, off the back of a dominant scrum 10m from the Lucts’ line, Sam Read cut in from the wing to scythe through the Lucts’ defence. Vowles slotted the kick.

Lucts though slowly wrestled the ascendancy back from Hornets who were forced to mount something of a rearguard action. They defended well but could not hold a determined Lucts onslaught after Lamb was carded. A catch and drive effort from the resultant penalty was driven over with Joel Middleton claiming the score and wing Charlie Grimes got on the end of a delightful chip ahead from Bryn Goodall to go over in the corner. Crucially though, neither try was converted.

That made it 22-26 with four minutes to go. It was a nervy few minutes but Hinckley did hang on for what will be remembered as a famous victory.

Nick Robinson