Bonus at Burton

Hinckley Staghounds returned from their first away league fixture of the season with all 5 points after a solid performance. The Stags made the trip to Battlestead Croft to take on Burton 2’s, who are also playing their first season in league rugby. The weather was sunny and the pitch was dry, allowing for a fast game.

Hinckley kicked off into the breeze and immediately put the home team under pressure. Some strong defence caused Burton to kick out of defence and Logan Whittingham ran the ball back with interest. A series of penalties and forward carries led to a cross field kick from fly-half Kristian Powell. Alex Norris gathered the kick close to the line, but the ball was eventual knocked on and the pressure was relieved. However, minutes later Hinckley were back in the Burton 22 and won a penalty in kicking range, which Powell converted for a 3-0 lead.

The game became a little stop start at this point, with both teams battling for field position while also being on the wrong end of the referee’s whistle. Hinckley had the better of the opening exchanges and were able to score the first try of the afternoon. Dylan Weddle sold a dummy from a breakdown close to the right hand touchline and cantered in from 25 metres to touch down. Kristian Powell missed the conversion. 8-0.

Inexplicably, Hinckley switched off straight from the kick-off allowing Burton to come straight back into the game. The kick wasn’t taken cleanly, which led to several poor offloads and then a penalty for holding on. Burton kicked to the corner and then drove the ball from the line out before it collapsed close to the Hinckley line. Several pick and go’s later they were over the line and onto the scoreboard. The conversion was successful and there was one point in it. 8-7.

This proved to be the last score of the half, with Hinckley exiting well from their own half and enjoying plenty of possession in Burton territory without troubling the scoreline. Kristian Powell did have the opportunity to extend the lead on the stroke of half-time, but pushed a long range penalty to the right of the posts. Lots of hard work, but with little reward and plenty more rugby to be played.

Ewan Bartlett entered the field during the break, replacing Steve Harvey in the front row. Bartlett was straight into the action carrying the ball deep into the Burton 22 before the ball was recycled to Dom Ames, who put Connor Nixon over the line with a smart offload. Powell converted for a 15-7 lead and from here Hinckley never looked back.

Nixon wasn’t finished there. Hinckley were now stealing Burton ball regularly, without falling foul of the match official. The back row of Tom Robinson, Luke Johnson and Joe Barnes were to the fore. From one such turnover, the ball was moved at speed to Connor Nixon on the halfway line which caught the defence flatfooted. Nixon turned on the afterburners, breaking outside his opposite man and beating the cover defence to score under the posts. Powell again converted and the Stags were now chasing the bonus point. 22-7.

Charlie Hurst entered the fray for his Stags debut replacing second row Joe Hyatt. It was a Stags stalwart who was to claim the bonus point, however, with one of his trademarks. George Marsden had combined well with his centre partner Nixon all afternoon and after several forays close to the line, Marsden picked a sublime line off scrum half Weddle to cross the whitewash. Unfortunately he picked up a finger injury while scoring so was replaced by Will Spiers. Powell converted for a 29-7 lead.

An injury to Nixon forced Hinckley into a positional change with Norris taking his place in the 13 shirt and Luke Johnson moving to the left wing when Joe Hyatt returned to the field. Johnson was straight into the action picking the ball up on the left touchline and running over his opposite number before offloading inside to Powell. Powell had a lot to do, but managed to hold off the covering defence to stretch out and score. The conversion from wide on the left was missed, but Hinckley were now in a commanding position - 34-7.

With the game entering the final moments Burton enjoyed their best spell of the game and were able to score another converted try after a period of concerted pressure. This was the final action of the game, with a final score of Hinckley Staghounds 34 Burton 2’s 14.

A very good second half performance from Hinckley sealed the win, but the first half was full of effort and set us up for the victory. Burton were no pushovers, but we defended well throughout and showed more ambition in attack, without the handling errors from the previous week. A bonus point on the road, we’ve got to be happy with that.

Chris Arnold had a good game in the second row, the half-backs of Weddle and Powell controlled the game and the back three of Norris, Whittingham and Hubbard counter attacked well. However, two players stood out. Tom Robinson for his defence, work at the breakdown and strong carries, and Connor Nixon for his try-scoring exploits.

Man of the Match - Connor Nixon

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