The stage was set for a classic encounter; Leicester Road looking it’s best; a beautiful late summer afternoon; and a match pitching second and third from last season’s league against each other. Two contrasting styles; Hinckley out to extend their 12-match unbeaten run and Luctonians looking to erase from the memory a 36-0 drubbing in last season’s equivalent game back in February.

In reality, the match failed dismally to live up to its billing. It was tedious stuff with little that will live in the memory. Lucs chose to play a grinding game of ten-man rugby showing little behind the scrum that posed any threat, while Hinckley, though showing the occasional flash of brilliance, were ragged, ill-disciplined and unrecognisable from the side that ended last season. Add to the mix a referee who was unable to keep the game flowing and you have a recipe for a game that is unlikely to catch the attention of few but the technical rugby addicts.

In the end, Lucs were the better side and deserved their win. They executed their game plan much better, however tedious it may have been. Hornets on the other hand were simply unable to secure enough possession to deploy their superior back division and the defence lacked the solidity of last season. When they did secure possession, invariably, it was surrendered through a needless penalty and Hinckley’s day was summed up nicely when twice they kicked dead from restarts to immediately hand possession back to the opposition. Their problems were compounded when wing Callum Dacey left the field early in the first half with what seemed to be a troubling shoulder injury, to be followed by Cam Aitchison before half-time adding to what is becoming an uncomfortably long injury list. All in all, not a great day at the office.

The game was won and lost in the third quarter when, after a first half that finished 12-13, Hinckley conceded two unanswered tries, both from short-range catch and drives, to extend the Lucs’ lead to 12-27. Hinckley did respond with a late try for Will Callan but it was too little too late.

The disappointment was reflected in Head Coach Alex White’s comments post-match. ‘We’re all obviously very disappointed not to start the season off with a win, especially after we got off to such a positive start and played some great rugby in the 1st half - but we were ultimately punished for leaving 2 scores out there.’

‘In the second half a mad eight minutes gifted them two scores as we paid the price for poor discipline and poor execution of our kicking game. We also learnt the importance of being consistent with our habits around ball carry and breakdown. ‘

‘That said, with 10 entries to their 22 to their seven, and five line breaks made to their one, there’s plenty to be optimistic about. The first game doesn’t define a season or the quality of a pre-season. We’re about winning and we’ll continue to work hard to get back to winning ways.’

‘I’d would though like to congratulate Devon Coulson on making his 50th appearance for the club. He had a great game and should be proud of his contribution to the club so far.’

Hornets conceded early when a high tackle handed Lucs’ scrum half Owen Randell a simple kick in front of the Hinckley posts for three points. There was little of note then until 16 mins when a delightful break just inside the Hinckley half from Will Callan, put away by Mitch Lamb, saw Callan run to the Lucs 22m before handing on to Ben Pointon in support. A quick return gave Callan the opportunity to run in under the posts and give debutant Matt Smith a simple conversion.

Five minutes later, Hornets extended their lead when Travis Bennett-Allcock weaved through the Lucs line from the Hinckley 10m line to the Lucs’ 22m before handing on to Sam Reid who ran in unchallenged for Hinckley’s second try.

At that point Hornets looked capable of taking the game away from the visitors but the errors started to creep in. Lucs were able to take advantage of one such error when Hinckley surrendered possession in their own 22m and after numerous phases Lucs eventually forced their way over for the try. Randell converted to bring the visitors within two points.

Lucs took the lead eight minutes later from another Randell penalty 30m out after Hornets had been called for a blatant crossing offence but Hornets finished the half on top and arguably should have scored after being awarded a free kick from a 5m scrum. In the event, the drive was held up over the line in what, in retrospect, was a match turning moment. The visitors went in 12-13 ahead.

It was dismal from a Hinckley perspective on the return with Lucs dominating possession. A Lucs penalty on halfway for a high tackle was kicked to 10m and Lucs went over from the resultant catch and drive, with hooker Ben Link coming up with the ball. Randell converted.

After Smith kicked the ball dead from the restart, Lucs secured another penalty 20m from the Hinckley line. The ball was kicked to 5m and, in a carbon copy of the earlier move, Ben Link again touched down from the catch and drive and again Randell converted.

That was 12-27 but with 25 minutes still to go, Hinckley still had a chance. But the Leicester Road men continued to be plagued by errors and ill-discipline. That said, Lucs centre Rob Bengray was lucky to remain on the field after a blatant punch seen by everyone on the ground bar the referee and touch judge. Will Callan did bag his second try when from Hinckley ball at a lineout on halfway was sent down the line and Mitch Lamb released Callan to streak through to the line for the try which Smith converted.

With nine minutes left, another try would have delivered two bonus points for the Hinckley men but they couldn’t force the game. Lucs walked away with four points to kick-start their season. Hinckley took nothing.

Nick Robinson