1st XV
Matches
Sat 09 Nov 2019  ·  National 2 North
Wharfedale
24
19
Hinckley Rugby Club
1st XV
Tries: H Povoas, J Wilson, S GreeningConversions: J Wilson (2)
Wharfedale   24	   Hinckley  19

Wharfedale 24 Hinckley 19

Nick Robinson10 Nov 2019 - 17:26
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Hornets edged out in thriller

On a crisp late autumn afternoon with more than a hint of the coming winter, Hinckley utterly dominated their opponents in terms of territory and possession for 70 minutes of what turned out to be a pulsating encounter against Wharfedale. That they did not come away with a five point haul was down to some outstanding defence from the Greens coupled with a disastrous opening 10 minutes which saw Hinckley 12 points down before some of the home crowd had made it out of the Clubhouse.

It was another frustrating afternoon for the travelling support. Hornets played some quality rugby but again failed to convert pressure into points, making too many errors at crucial times. Wharfedale were tenacious opponents, and took what few chances they had well, but even the most ardent Greens supporter would not have complained if Hornets had come away with the spoils. When the referee blew for time, with Hornets camped in the Whardedale 22m where they had spent much of the afternoon, the collective sigh of relief around the ground told it’s own story.

‘It was very frustrating,’ commented Hornets DOR Scott Hamilton. ‘We were the better side for the vast majority of the game but they took their chances and we didn’t. We did lot’s of really good things but occasional lapses cost us dear. We managed to fight our way back into the game but the real killer blow was the try just before half-time. I’d have been pretty happy at 12-7 but 19-7 made it so much more difficult. The difference was their defence. They made us work really, really hard for our points; they didn’t have to work nearly so hard for theirs. They found a way to win; we have to start doing the same.’

It was a perfect start for Wharfedale. With what was their first incursion into Hinckley territory, No. 8 Rob Baldwin drove deep into the Hinckley 22m. Baldwin was brought down but quick ball from the ruck, albeit from some dubious clearing out which could easily have attracted a penalty and even a yellow card, found it’s way to wingman Rian Hamilton who scored in the corner.

The conversion was missed but Wharfedale pulled further ahead in the tenth minute when a poor clearance kick from Hinckley presented Wharfedale with the opportunity to run back at the Hornets defence. Josh Prell carried the ball deep into the Hinckley 22m before offloading to full-back Harry Bullough who was able to run to the line. This time, Jack Blakeney-Edwards was able to add the extras, 12-0.

The second try did seem to galvanise Hornets and the rest of the half saw near relentless Hinckley pressure held out by a determined Wharfedale defence.

Rory Vowels almost made the line following a penalty line-out in the Wharfedale 22m but knocked on just short. Callum Dacey went close on the left wing before being bundled into touch. Joe Wilson, on the opposite wing with the line open, could not take the final pass and knocked on.

With so much pressure, a try did seem inevitable but Hornets had to wait until the 32nd minute for it to come. From a Hinckley line-out on their own 10m line, the ball found its way to Callum Dacey who carried deep into the Wharfedale 22m. Dacey was hauled down but the ball was recycled and Henry Povoas was eventually driven over the line under the posts. Wilson added the extras and Hornets appeared to have dragged themselves back into the game.

It was therefore a real body blow to concede a third try just three minutes later. The Wharfedale pack set up a catch and drive from a line-out 30m from the Hinckley line which was initially well defended but from the breakdown the ball was fed inside to Hamilton who ran through a massive hole in the Hinckley midfield defence and gratefully touched down under the posts for his second. Blakeney-Edwards again converted and Wharfedale were able to go into the break 19-7 ahead.

Hornets did hit back within a few minutes of the restart. A penalty on halfway gave Wilson the chance to set up an attacking line-out 20m out. Ollie Povoas peeled round the back of the line and drove forward. From the ensuing ruck, the ball found Wilson who made the line in the corner.

A betting man at this stage might have felt Hornets the most likely to take the game but opportunities continued to come and go.

It was though very much against the run of play when Wharfedale grabbed the next try on 69 minutes. A clever high kick out of defence by Blakeney Edwards was fielded just inside the Hinckley half by Leo Gilliland but he was immediately engulfed by three Wharfedale runners who stripped him of the ball. Good short passing outflanked the scrambling Hinckley defence and flanker Matt Speres crossed for the try.

Time seemed to be running out for Hornets but they were not done. A quick line-out throw from Tom Wheatcroft to Wilson on halfway allowed the wingman to run deep into the Wharfedale 22m. The ball was fed left to Dacey who almost made the line and, from the breakdown, Sam Greening was able to bulldoze his way over.

At 24-19 with six minutes remaining, the game was still in the balance and a penalty to Hinckley for a high tackle on halfway did allow Wilson to kick to 10m to set up a final line-out effort. Hornets almost made it but desperate Wharfedale defence held them out one last time.

Next week Huddersfield visit Leicester Road and Hamilton will be looking for a response to this week’s disappointment against a side two places and four points behind Hornets in the League table.

Nick Robinson

Match details

Match date

Sat 09 Nov 2019

Kickoff

15:00

Competition

National 2 North

League position

9
Wharfedale
10
Hinckley
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Community Rugby Partner - DPD
Hinckley Rugby Community Partner - Thomas Flavell & Sons