Hinckley welcomed Ashby to Leicester Road on a fine Autumnal day looking to further cement their place at the top of the league. There were several changes to the lineup from our last game against Ashbourne two weeks ago due to injury, unavailability and George Marsden’s well deserved call up to the 1st team. Club legend Matt Fearn made his first Stags appearance of the season in the second row, as did Ben Bevan in the centre and Michael Parker at number 8. Charlie Hurst returned to the back row, making his first start, and Tom Lewis claimed the 13 shirt after impressing off the bench in the last game.

Hinckley started well into the wind and sun, and when a penalty was kicked to the corner, Dom Ames was given an armchair ride at the back of a rolling maul to open the scoring. Kristian Powell kicked the conversion for a 7-0 lead and Hinckley were expected to kick on from here.

This didn’t materialise, however, due to a stuttering attack, good Ashby defence and poor Hinckley discipline. Michael Parker was sent to the sin-bin on the10 min mark. Ashby then had their best spell of territory and possession, but without seriously threatening the Hinckley line.

The game became very stop-start at this point with several Ashby players having to leave the field, two to head injuries sustained when team mates collided with each other in midfield. Hinckley did manage to score again when a short pass from Ben Bevan was taken at speed by Tom Lewis who was able to drive through a gap in the Ashby defence and touchdown under the posts. Powell’s routine conversion took the score to 14-0.

Bevan then had to leave the field due to a pulled hamstring after a run out of defence, to be replaced by Shaun Hubbard.

Hinckley extended their lead further, shortly before half-time after Liam Hubbard’s 50-22 and a smart line out move allowed Ames to charge down the 5m channel and pass inside for Charlie Hurst to score his first try of the season. Another well struck conversion from Powell took the half-time score to 21-0 in Hinckley’s favour.

The Stags were guilty in the first half of over playing out wide despite strong running from the aforementioned Fearn, Arnold, Hurst and Ames had put them into good field positions.

Hinckley replaced Steve Harvey with Ewan Bartlett at half-time and were quick out the blocks. Tom Lewis was yellow carded for persistent offside, but Shaun Hubbard pounced on an Ashby handling error to motor in from 60m to score the bonus point try. Powell missed the conversion, but Hinckley were now 26 points to the good.

Adam Jordan replaced Fearn in the second row and was straight into the action, stealing line outs and involving himself in attacking plays. Dylan Weddle was next on the scoresheet, continuing his good try scoring form, with a snipe close to the posts to cross the whitewash. Powell converted again for a 33 point lead and Hinckley were now dominant in all areas of the game.

Clever kicking from Powell was pushing Ashby further back and when they were forced into conceding a line out close to their own line out, Hinckley scored again. Harvey had just returned to the field in place of Ames, with skipper Ricky Moran moving to hooker. Moran’s first job was to throw into the line out and a back peel move allowed Arnold the space to charge through the defence and score. Powell converted again, taking the score to 40 points to nil. Arnold wasn’t finished there. Another 50-22 from Powell gave Hinckley the throw-in at another 5m line out, allowing Arnold to score his second try when Ashby stood off the driving maul and he had the simple job of striding over the line. Powell’s conversion was again successful.

With the last play of the game Hinckley moved the ball wide and quick hands from Gardner, who was clattered in the process, gave Shaun Hubbard an unopposed run in down the left wing. The touchline conversion slid narrowly wide and the final whistle blew for a final score of Hinckley 52 Ashby 0.

Hinckley Staghounds weren’t at their best, but we have to be happy with 52 unanswered points and a try scoring bonus point that keeps us on top of the table. Our attention now turns to next week where we travel the short distance to Birstall. There is plenty to work on in training this week to prepare for this.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Dom Ames - a try, a hand in another and several strong carries around the Park

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