Perhaps it was inevitable, after the euphoria of last week’s momentous win at Redruth, that Hinckley would not quite meet that same standard of performance this time out. In the end the scoreline showed a convincing bonus point win against a team that are currently amongst a strong chasing pack in the division but the reality is that it was something of a flat performance from the Leicester Road men. Indeed, Hornets were behind for much of the opening period and went in at half-time 12-15 down. They only took the lead for the first time five minutes into the second period after what was probably what coaches like to describe as ‘an honest discussion’ at the interval. After that Lymm had little to offer as Hornets ran in 24 unanswered points in a much-improved performance but even then, it wasn’t quite the fluent flowing game that the Leicester Road faithful have become accustomed to. In mitigation, Hinckley were without three of last week’s pack which will have disrupted preparations, and are still awaiting the return of Oli Bee and Mitch Lamb, but it was still disappointing to see passes that would have gone to hand in earlier weeks fail to reach their man.

That said, what the rest of the division will see is that Hinckley recorded yet another bonus point win, significantly improved their points difference, and extended their winning run to eight games. With Redruth losing for the second week running, the win saw Hinckley climb to third in the table just a single point behind joint leaders Clifton and Luctonians. It was also good to see that the trauma that was the line-out against Redruth (the one blemish on that performance) was forgotten as normal service was resumed. It would therefore perhaps a little churlish to complain too much about a slightly off-colour performance.

Head Coach Alex White, commenting after the game, was, overall, pleased with the win and in particular the way his men turned it round in the second period. ‘After a great win against Redruth we could’ve been accused of a mini "hangover" and guilty of believing our own hype a little bit - resulting in us being a little underwhelming and emotionless in the first half. We did some great things at times, but we lacked a ruthless edge to either take the scoring opportunities or gave up needless penalties when our defence was looking very comfortable.’

‘But we didn’t panic. At half time, we just had a pretty honest reflection on which team were winning all the battles and all the races. It wasn’t us! But fair play, the lads came out with much more intent and accuracy. Lymm are a good side and we had to be at our best in the second half to ensure we got the job done. Nilling them in that second period just goes to show how important it is that we turn up mentally every week.’

When battle commenced Hornets found themselves behind before they had even touched the ball. Lymm recovered their own kick-off, and secured a penalty on the Hinckley 10m line. Fly-half Tom Shard set up the catch and drive attempt with a kick to the corner and Hornets put up no more than token resistance as the Lymm pack drove to the line with centre James Hampson forcing his way over.

Hinckley did respond and Lymm found themselves pinned in their own half for the next 20 minutes. Hornets could have scored at least twice before they eventually did register their first points. First a catch and drive effort, initially repelled, ended when the ball was dropped on the line, and then a second short-range catch and drive was penalised for crossing in the drive.

The score, when it did come, came from a Lymm mistake. A line-out on the Lymm 30m line was overthrown, Man of the Match Sam McNulty, who had what was probably his best game in a Hinckley shirt, seized the ball and drove deep into the 22m. The ball eventually found Matt Guilfoyle out wide to go over in the corner for the try.

Hinckley made a mess of the restart and gave away a penalty of their 20m line to present Lymm with an immediate chance to retake the lead. They did go over but Hornets were saved when the final pass was judged forward.

But it wasn’t long before Lymm were back and from yet another short-range catch and drive, the ball was eventually worked over for hooker James Pitcher to claim the try. This time Shard added the extras and Hinckley found themselves 5-12 down after 30 minutes.

It got worse shortly afterwards when Shard slotted a simple penalty after Rory Vowles had been carded on the Hinckley 22m for a deliberate knock-on but just as it looked as if Hinckley would be facing a significant deficit in the second period, Sam Read struck. A Hornets scrum just inside the Hinckley half resulted in a deft little chip over the defence which Will Callan collected and went for the line. Read was on hand to take the final pass and finish the job with Addison able to convert. Psychologically, it was a significant blow with the lead now only three points at the break.

And Hinckley did seem to come out for the second period with renewed intent soon finding themselves with a 5m lineout chance. Rather than go for the conventional catch and drive, however, in what looked like a set move, McNulty took the ball and went for the line on the short side. He didn’t quite make it but the ball was finally worked over by Oscar Harper for the try.

With Hinckley now in the lead, the Lymm challenge began to fade. Hinckley almost scored from the restart after Callan carried deep into the 22m but the final pass, with Read in the clear, did not go to hand and the chance was lost.

The next score took a while but again it was from a short-range line-out. Addison set it up when Lymm, under pressure, were penalised for holding on in their own 22m and whereas the catch and drive was held, patient work eventually saw McNulty force his way over with Addison adding the extras.

The killing blow came from another overthrown Lymm line-out around the Hinckley 25m line. McNulty again took the ball and set off on another bullocking run deep into Lymm territory, before handing on, and it was Read again who was on hand to finish the move. Addison again converted to make it 31-15 with 16 minutes remaining.

Hornets, or at least Will Callan, had however left the best to last. With the game effectively over, Lymm launched a high speculative kick into Hinckley territory. The ball was taken, worked to Callan who set off on a mesmerising run from halfway to carry the ball to the line for what will surely be a try of the week contender.

That was pretty much it and the referee brought matters to a conclusion shortly afterwards to send Hinckley in victorious at 36-15. Job done!

Nick Robinson