On another beautiful late summer’s day at Leicester Road, two of the division’s most exciting teams served up a feast of running rugby to delight even the most curmudgeonly front row purist. Hornets came out on top, outscoring Tynedale by 7 tries to 5, in what may prove one of the most entertaining games of the season. Mitch Lamb was outstanding in the centre for the Hornets and Jack Dickinson, who replaced the injured Josh Greatrix late in the first half, had perhaps his best game to date in a Hinckley shirt, but it was the all round performance of the team as a whole which really impressed.

Asked for his thoughts on the outcome, DOR George Chuter commented, ‘I was pleased with the result. It was a great game to watch but we do need to work on tightening up our defence. There were times when I felt our defence was disappointing’.

There were mistakes from both sides, perhaps a reflection that neither side had quite settled into place at this early stage of the season, and Hornets do need to work on their midfield defence and defending the rolling maul (from which Tyne scored 2 of their 5 tries), but this only seemed to contribute to the game as both sides looked to play a fast open and very entertaining game.

Hornets opened the scoring with only 3 minutes on the clock when Mitch Lamb broke from midfield to set up new boy Ryan Hough for a run to the line. He was hauled down just short but quick ball allowed captain Alex Salt to drive over. Joe Wilson, whose place kicking was excellent throughout the game, converted.

On 15 minutes a cross-field run from a lineout by Joe Glover set up Josh Smith coming into the line at pace for a straight run for the line. Wilson again converted to take the score to 14-0.

Tyne pulled one back shortly afterwards when multiple phases in the Hornets’ 22 eventually worked an overlap to put wing man Jonny Mack over in the corner.

Hinckley responded when a break from halfway by Joe Glover took Hornets to 5m out. Tyne had the put in at the scrum but were pushed off the ball which eventually found it’s way to Hough who went over in the corner to record his first try in a Hinckley shirt.

Tyne pulled one back on the cusp of half-time when poor Hinckley tackling on halfway gave them a run for the line. The Tyne winger was brought down just short but from the resultant catch and drive, Hooker Batey touched down to make the half-time score 21-10.

On the resumption, a classic miss pass from Tom Wheatcroft following a Hinckley line-out steal 10m from the Tyne line gave the Hornets a 3 man overlap and Wilson went over for the score which secured the bonus point.

Half-back partner Joe Glover got in on the act a few minutes later when he collected his own chip over the top 10m from the Tyne line to touch down. Wilson’s conversion took it to 33-10.

Tyne responded when a break from their own 22m took them the length of the field but Hornets went over again 5 minutes later when Jack Dickenson broke the line from 35m. He was caught just short but off-loaded to Henry Povoas allowing him to score his first try in Hinckley colours.

With the score now 40-17 and the game seemingly won, Hornets seemed to relax and Tyne took advantage. A catch and drive after Hinckley were penalised for coming in at the side saw Tyne eventually force their way over and secure their four-try bonus point. And a similar effort after Gaz Turner had been carded saw Tyne pull the score back to 40-31. Tyne sniffed the possibility of a losing bonus point.

It was not to be, however. As full-time approached, another break from Jack Dickenson from midfield saw him touch down in the corner after fending off the attentions of the Tyne full-back. Final score… 45-31.

Hornets visit newcomers Peterborough Lions next week. Lions went down at home to Wharfedale in their first fixture but rumour has it that they have a powerful pack which will provide a different challenge to the men in black and amber.

Nick Robinson