Hinckley bounced back from last week’s last minute heartbreak against Sedgley Park with a workmanlike performance in difficult conditions against mid-table Sheffield Tigers at Dore Moor. The bonus point victory keeps Hornets level on points with leaders Sale who demolished South Leicester 39-7 at Heywood Road to maintain their drive for promotion.

A wet pitch and light rain suggested that this would be a forward slog in the mud but in the event both sides were able to demonstrate elements of the running game that they prefer, and served up a more entertaining game than the crowd might have expected.

The early exchanges were relatively even, although Hornets soon demonstrated their dominance in the scrum, a dominance that was maintained throughout the game. Only an outstanding performance at the base of the scrum by Tigers No. 8 Lee Monks prevented Hornets causing havoc in that area.

Hornets opened their account on 15 minutes when a superb run from veteran Scott Hamilton saw him held up just short of the line, eventually setting up Dave Peck to drive over from close range.

Shortly afterwards, a short-range lineout, set up after Tigers infringed at the breakdown, almost resulted in a second Hornets try but the ball was dropped just short of the line. James Martin also went close, just putting a foot in touch as he went over in the corner.

The crowd had to wait until the 33rd minute for any further score and it was that Hornets who were able to extend their lead when Callum Dacey punished Tigers with a penalty after they were penalised for diving over on their own 22m.

A further infringement from Tigers on the stroke of half-time after a significant period of Hinckley pressure saw the Hornets set up another short-range lineout and Luke Coltman drove over to score. Dacey converted to give the Hornets a 0-15 lead going into the break.

On the return, Tigers took control, enjoying their best period of the game and forcing Hinckley to defend hard to maintain their lead. It was no surprise when, after 52 minutes, Tigers prop Will Bennett forced his way over the line from short-range to cut the deficit.

Tigers again went close shortly afterwards after Dacey had been carded for an infringement at the breakdown but some good defensive work secured a turnover from the resultant line-out and Hinckley were able to clear their lines.

Strangely, with only 14 men on the field, Hornets then seemed to regain their composure and begin to re-assert themselves. On 68 minutes, Martin picked up a loose ball from a Tigers scrum on the half-way line and ran in to score under the posts. Joe Wilson converted to give Hornets a 5-22 lead with 13 to go.

With that score, Tigers seemed to wilt. 3 minutes later, a clever kick over the top of the Tigers defence from Wilson resulted in Jonny Sykes, enjoying his first start for the Club, falling on the ball to claim a first try and secure the bonus point for Hornets. Wilson again converted.

And as if to rub salt into the Tigers wounds, from the kick-off, Hornets collected the ball and an end to end move saw Martin break the Tigers defensive line from 10m to score under the posts. Wilson converted to give Hornets victory 5-38.

It could be said, and many in the home crowd did say, that the final score flattered Hinckley when the game seemed in the balance with less than 15 to go. However, the manner in which Hornets simply demolished the Tigers defence in the final stages of the match after what had proved a highly attritional game perhaps demonstrated a level of fitness and professionalism that Tigers in the end could not match.

What is certain is that the result set up next week’s game against Sale superbly. Only points difference separates the two sides at the top of the division, although Sale do have a game in hand. Other results largely favoured the top two and we can look forward to what will be one of the most important games in Hinckley’s recent history. It promises to be a cracker. Don’t miss it! Kick-off is at 3.00pm.

Nick Robinson