"40 Points Past Local Rivals"

Hinckley U13s travelled the short distance to local rivals Market Bosworth for the first time since the infamous “refgate” incident last season on this sunny but cold December morning.

Market Bosworth kicked off and Hinckley immediately went on the attack, putting pressure on their opponents defence in the opening exchanges with notable strong runs from Ingrams, Mensforth-Grove, Goodwin and Smith. The early breakdowns were contested aggressively resulting in several turnovers at the ruck by both teams.

When Market Bosworth did have possession, Hinckley’s defence stood firm with solid tackles from Salisbury, Bourne, Hutton, Guest and Moore. Market Bosworth were awarded a scrum within Hinckley’s half, against the run of play, from which their scrum half exploited a gap on the blind side and darted through to score the opening try of the game.

Hinckley responded well and maintained a good period of possession and territory, and following a sniping run by Newitt, Hinckley retained the ball through a number of phases from which Drakeford emerged with the ball to run in the equalising try.
Hinckley turned over the ball from the re-start and some great rucking by Guest enabled Drakeford to pick up the ball and scurry over for his second try of the game to give Hinckley a 10-5 lead.

As the first half came to an end, Market Bosworth enjoyed a good spell of possession, attacking Hinckley’s line, but they were unable to break through the solid defence.

Hinckley made a number of substitutions at half-time and, from the kick off, continued to attack the opposition. Some strong rucking by Duggins and Hutton resulted in a turn-over ball which was passed out wide to Hurley-Smith who scored Hinckley’s third try of the day.

Market Bosworth re-started, giving Hinckley possession, and the opportunity for both Ellershaw and Moore to make good yards with runs deep into their opponents’ half. After several well contested break downs, Hinckley emerged with the ball and some great handling by Hurley-Smith created space for Salisbury who bounced off a number of Market Bosworth tackles to score Hinckley’s fourth try and increase their lead to 20-5.

Hinckley were now beginning to dominate the game and strong runs from Toon, Duggins and Miller tested the Market Bosworth defence. Hinckley’s fifth try came after another solid scrum from which the backs put a great move together ending with Smith off-loading to Drakeford to score his hat trick and take the score to 25-5.

Hinckley pressed again after the re-start, forcing a line-out deep in Market Bosworth’s half, from which Buckler made good yards before passing to Smith who rounded the opposition to score Hinckley’s sixth try.

Market Bosworth bounced back with a period of attacking rugby but were stopped in their tracks by strong tackles from Salisbury and Hutton. Hinckley then counter-attacked with the ball being sent wide to Jacques on the left wing but he was held up just short of the line.

Hinckley then won another scrum against the head, from which the ball was passed through the backs’ hands to Smith who was also held up short, fortunately this time Drakeford was on hand to pick up the loose ball and dash over for his fourth and Hinckley’s seventh try of the day.
Hinckley once again turned over the ball at a ruck in the latter stages of the game, creating space for Smith to score the eighth and final try of the game, giving Hinckley a well deserved 40-5 win.