Hinckley entertained old rivals Scunthorpe in the first league game of the new year at Leicester Road. As usual with a Hinckley team, injuries and unavailabilities hampered selection. Matt Loveday, Tom Morris and Ben Avent were absent. Rich Harris started at 12, Dave Weston moving to 13, Tom Sanderson at lock, Captain Matt Fearn at 6 and Steve Morfill at 7. Steve Harvey, Jordan Goddard and Tom Hillyer making up the bench.

The rain that plagued the morning cleared by kick off time, but made the pitch very heavy underfoot for the players. A good crowd, bolstered by a healthy number of visiting supporters, looked forward to a close encounter as Hinckley took on the conquerors of the league leaders.

Both teams sparred for ascendency in the opening quarter as the visitors disrupted the usually sound Hinckley scrummage. Some well placed kicking from Joe Glover, great tackling from Alex Salt and strong running from Dave Weston were the early highlights. As the game settled the strong Hinckley scrummage began to take charge with a series of scrum penalties putting the pressure on the visitors. Scunthorpe flanker Barron saw yellow and Mark Lord converted a penalty goal to open Hinckley’s account. Repeated disruption in the tight confrontations saw Scunthorpe trying to break out of defence, but sound Hinckley defence kept them pinned in their own half. On 30 minutes a Hinckley catch and drive from a lineout resulted in Steve Morfill going over for a try wide on the left as the home side began to take control. Lord’s conversion dropped short.
After further home pressure Luke Coltman touched down again after the Hinckley forwards rumbled over the line after a 15 metre rolling maul. Lord added the conversion to take Hinckley out to a 15-0 lead at half time.

Now playing with the slope and the setting sun Hinckley continued the pressure opening up the visitors defence with strong running from Dave Peck and Weston although a more accurate last pass would have lead to further Hinckley scores. As it was the home forwards again blitzed the visitors and were rewarded as Glover rounded off another rolling maul for home try number three. Again Lord was short with the conversion, but it moved the score onto 20-0 in Hinckley’s favour.
Steve Harvey replaced Sam Masserella and Coltman was yellow carded for a high tackle, while Jordan Goddard came on for Tom Sanderson through the duration of Coltman’s ten minute sojourn.
Restored to a full compliment of players, on the hour, Hinckley scored the try of the day which added the league bonus point to the home side’s tally. On the home 22 line Lord threw a long pass out to Mitch Culpin on the left who burst away. He exchanged passes with Josh Smith and run in under the posts, routinely converted by Lord, moving the score onto 27-0.
Scunthorpe, however, wouldn’t lie down and after a raft of substitutions really took the game to the hosts. Continual pressure by the visitors and great defence by Hinckley was the order of play for the concluding quarter of the game. Scunthorpe tried and tried, but couldn’t break down the stubborn home defence who collectively tackled themselves into the ground to keep the visitors out. Tom Hillyer came on for Sam Greasley and although Glover was yellow carded late on a great breakout from defence by Weston, Culpin and Lord nearly resulted in a try on the final whistle.

Credit to both sides for keeping going on a very heavy and sticky pitch.

From a Hinckley perspective, a bonus point victory on the first game after christmas was more than a bonus and sets up a juicy clash versus rivals South Leicester next week. The squad is certainly in a better place than in the September home clash where South came out 24-6 victors.
Hinckley now have the confidence, belief and ability in both attack and defence to tackle the league leaders - on present form they are fully able to follow Scunthorpe’s example and taste victory at the other Welford Road. Lets get behind the squad and take as many supporters as possible to South for a rousing local derby.

Hinckley Rugby club welcomes any new players who are looking to play rugby. If you are interested in joining our progressive club please contact John Tilley on 07832 375718 or email chairman@hinckleyrugby.co.uk.

A very Happy New Year!