The Stags travelled to Derby Road playing fields for their penultimate league fixture of the season and final away game. The Stags were looking to finish the league season with a 100% away record and gain revenge for our opening day defeat in the reverse fixture in September. Loughborough, meanwhile, were looking to maintain their 100% home record and put pressure on Mellish who were 1 point ahead of them in 2nd place prior to kick-off. Seven changes were made from last weeks title winning game at Lincoln, with a new second row partnership of Thomas Sanderson and Guy Dowell.

Captain Ricky Moran opted to play with the wind in the first half as Loughborough kicked off to start the game. Hinckley struck almost immediately when the ball was moved to outside centre Connor Nixon with acres of space in front of him. Nixon showed his speed and elusive running to beat the home defence for his 16th try of the season. Powell struck an excellent first conversion for a 7-0 lead.
Craig Bresland, who was restored to the starting line-up this week, then took control of the game, which is rare for a prop forward. He found himself wide on the right wing on the end of a flowing handling move to run in almost unopposed. Powell again struck a fantastic conversion. Bresland followed this up with several barn storming runs leaving Loughborough defenders in his wake - he could have had a first half hat trick. However, it was the home side who scored next as they used their forward ball carriers to good effect to make ground close to the breakdown. The ball was then moved wide to take advantage of an overlap and Loughborough had opened their account for the afternoon. The conversion was missed, but Guy Dowell was sent to the sin-bin shortly afterwards when the referee took exception to an over-zealous clear out at a ruck.
Bresland was back in the action, scoring his second try of the afternoon from a more familiar position, carrying strongly close to the breakdown. He very nearly scored his third when he broke the line in the Loughborough 22, but rather than backing himself he looked for an offload and the opportunity was lost as he was held up short. Dom Ames did get over the try line to score a try of his own, but the referee claimed he was unsighted and brought play back for a Hinckley penalty. The penalty was tapped and the Stags threw everything at the Loughborough line. Several phases later a long pass from fly-half Josh Leonard allowed Nixon to match Bresland’s earlier exploits and score his second try of the afternoon. The conversion was blown wide, but Hinckley were 24-5 up and Dowell had returned to the field. This is how how it stayed until half- time.

Luke Johnson replaced Steve Farrell at half-time on the back row. Johnson can consider himself unlucky to have been dropped to the bench, but Farrell justified his inclusion with several strong carries in the first half.

The next score would be crucial and it was Hinckley that got it to break Loughborough’s resolve. Excellent handling from forwards and backs took play out of the Stags defensive third and found Tyler Moseley on the right hand touchline. His kick was fumbled by the home defence and the ball popped back in his hands for the simplest of finishes. Powell’s conversion was again wayward.
Bresland’s race was run, as Farrell returned to the field to take his place. and Ben Bevan replaced Sam Rackclyeft at inside centre. In addition, player coach Steve Harvey took to the field for a matter of minutes as Moran had to temporarily leave the action to relieve himself. Harvey was straight into the fray when he passed to Ames to score the try that his play deserved, as the front peel worked for the second successive week. Powell’s conversion was again unsuccessful. Moran returned to the field just before Nixon claimed his hat-trick and his 18th league try of the season in 15 games. It was an outstanding individual score as he set off from the half-way line, weaving his way inside and outside the covering defence to touch down under the posts. Powell’s routine conversion was good and Hinckley were 41-5 to the good.

Loughborough came back into the game and recorded their second try of the afternoon. Sanderson was yellow carded for some handbags in the in-goal area and Loughborough made the extra man count. The conversion was wide, but the home side had doubled their score.

The remaining 20 minutes were played without incident as the Stags saw the game out while rotating the team and trying a few different combinations in key areas. The final whistle blew with a final score of 41-10 in Hinckley’s favour.

A thoroughly professional performance that exorcised the ghosts of our opening day loss against Loughborough and maintained our outstanding away record this season. We move on to 99 points and we look to bring up the hundred next week at home to Birstall in our final league fixture of the season.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Nixon and Bresland were always going to be within a shout for their try- scoring exploits, but the accolade goes to second row Guy Dowell for an all action display and excellent work in the line out. Dowell has been out injured for an extended period and his last game for the Stags was against the same opponents back in September. Good to see you back Guy.

UTS