Hinckley made it five wins from six outings with a nine-try demolition of Chester who had not lost on home turf since the opening game of the season. Callum Dacey, Nigel Mukerati, and Evan Carey all ended with two tries to their names with Sam Toon, Will Callan and Rory Vowles notching one apiece. It was ruthless at times as Hornets exploited a somewhat porous home defence and, by and large, the Hinckley defence was sound throughout. Indeed, were it not for a five-minute lapse in the middle of the first half, when Hinckley conceded 14 points, and a harum-scarum last fifteen minutes when, with the result no longer in doubt, Chester threw caution to the wind in search of a four-try bonus point, the score would have looked even more convincing.

Devon Coulson ruled the line-out throughout the second half, Callum Dacey continually found gaps which didn’t appear to be there, and the back division in general where sharper and far more incisive than there opposite numbers. The bonus point was secured in the first quarter and the game and the contest was pretty well over at half-time with Hinckley leading 38-14. Arguably it was perhaps Hinckley’s best performance of the season to date.

Defence coach Ben Avent couldn’t have been much happier after the game. ‘We couldn’t have asked for a better start to the game today. We were extremely clinical in the red zone, capitalizing on every opportunity that came our way. It was really pleasing to see that execution, especially early on.’

‘That said, it was a bit disappointing how we let Chester back into the game in the middle of the first half. There were a couple of moments where we lost a bit of focus, and that’s something we’ll need to address going forward. But full credit to the lads, they responded brilliantly. We were ruthless both before and after half-time, and that’s what really sealed the win for us.’

‘I’m particularly proud of the way the team has turned things around this season. At one point, things weren’t going our way, but the character and work ethic the boys have shown to get back on track has been outstanding. Today’s performance was testament to that commitment.’
Hinckley were ahead within five minutes. A penalty 30m from the Chester line was kicked to 15m and the catch and drive was taken over in nonchalance with Sam Toon claiming the score. Vowles added the extras.

Five minutes later and it was 0-12. From a scrum well inside the Hinckley half, Vowles put Mitch Lamb through the line. Lamb carried deep into the Chester half before chipping to the wing where Dacey collected and ran to the line. It was a joy to watch.

Then from the restart, Matt Browne claimed the ball and made good ground. The ball was recycled, sent down the line to Dacey who released Will Callan on his inside for a clear run to the line – 0-17 with just 13 minutes on the clock.

It looked at that point as if Hinckley were heading for a cricket score but Chester responded with two tries in three minutes to put a completely different complexion on the game. A Chester line-out on halfway was sent down the line and Hinckley’s drift defence was out-flanked allowing the Chester wing to run deep into Hinckley’s 22m. With Hinckley scrambling to recover , the ball was worked inside and Chester second-row Kyle Joseph forced his way over. Morgan Bagshaw added the conversion.

He did the same two minutes later after, from a Chester line-out 35m from the Hinckley line, Vowles was flattened in midfield by a charging run from the Chester No.8 Rhys Hamilton who was able to run to the line for the try.

It was not Hinckley’s finest five minutes and could have been the catalyst for a Chester fightback. But Hinckley responded quickly. When the ball went loose on halfway, Evan Carey was able to hack the ball through the Chester line and collected the ball as he ran on and made it to the line unchallenged. Vowles added the extras and the lead was back to ten points.

Carey snatched another 12 minutes later. Nigel Mukerati collected the ball from a Hinckley line-out just inside their half and charged deep into Chester territory before off-loading to Matt Browne who carried into the 22m. The ball was recycled and Carey was there to go under the posts for the try. Vowles converted.

Dacey was next. Hinckley created an overlap on halfway and the flying wing needed no second invitation to run to the line. The Vowles conversion added the icing on the cake. Dacey did pick up a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on just before half-time but Chester could not take advantage of the extra man and Hinckley went in at the break 14-38 to the good.

Even with the extra man, Chester were soon under pressure again after the break. A couple of penalties took Hornets to within 8m of the opposition line and Hinckley opted to scrum. A pick-up from the rear of the scrum went close but from the recycled ball, Vowles was able to sneak through for the score thereby ending Hinckley’s unwanted recent habit of conceding first after the interval.

A few minutes later, Hornets took their own ball from a line-out just inside the Chester half and drove 15m to win another penalty. Vowles kicked to 8m, the catch and drive went on and Mukerati eventually crashed over.

That made it 14-48 with just over 20 minutes to go. The game was effectively over by that time. Hinckley relaxed but Chester went in search of the bonus point. It was a bit frantic but the home side were able to add a third try when wing Harrison Vare was able to outpace the covering defence to go in from 30m.

Hinckley responded with another try from Mukerati who drove over after a catch and drive attempt from 10m had been held. That took the Hinckley total beyond the half century but Chester were not to be denied their bonus point. A charging 40m run from second row Connor Scrivens took his side to within 10m of the Hinckley line, the ball was quickly recycled and Hamilton out wide was able to go over in the corner.
The final ten minutes were nothing to write home about but there was little to play for by that point. With fog beginning to descend, the referee blew for time and the shell-shocked home support were more than ready to drown their sorrows in the clubhouse. Hinckley march on.

Nick Robinson