U16s -Sch year 11
Matches
Sun 17 Sep 2017
Ashby RFC
Tries: nullConversions: null
7
50
Hinckley Rugby Club
U16s -Sch year 11
Tries: K Smith (2), J Burton (4), A Whittingham, B MooreConversions: b drakeford (4), J Barnes
Ashby Smashed for 50!

Ashby Smashed for 50!

Paul Goodwin17 Sep 2017 - 23:45
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Match Report Ashby 7 v 50 Hinckley 17th Sept 2017, by Andy Duggins

On the back of last week’s outstanding performance against Leicester Forest, Hinckley U14s travelled to their nemesis of old, Ashby, with a full squad of available players, for the first round of this year’s knockout county cup competition. Just before kick-off, the match reporters were presented with a smart new document holder and selection of pens from their official sponsor, the Cookie Corporation, which was quite fortunate as the game turned into a try-fest for this bouyant Hinckley squad!

Ashby kicked off on a fine September morning, Hinckley displaying their intent with an early turnover from a Drakeford tackle, following which Burton made good ground with a typically bullish run. Ashby tried to counter-attack, but Hinckley’s defence held firm with Moore and Giles making notable tackles in midfield. Hinckley then launched their first attack of the game from within their own 22m line, the ball neatly passed through the hands of Drakeford and Hutton to Smith, who showed his pace to round Ashby’s defence and sprint down the wing to score the opening try of the match, which was converted by Drakeford to give Hinckley an early 7-0 lead.

Ashby re-started, Drakeford collecting the long kick at speed and breaking up to the halfway line. The ball was recycled and further runs from Hurley-Smith, Drakeford and Burton took Hinckley into their oppositions 22 metre line. Ashby managed to clear the ball, but Hinckley came back again as L. Whttingham and Smith both made good yards. Hinckley were then awarded a penalty just inside the Ashby 22 which Burton took on the crash from a pop pass by Wainde, knocking the first Ashby tackler off his feet, but he was eventually hauled down by Ashby’s stubborn defence.

Ashby were then awarded a penalty, kicking the ball up to the half-way line, but Hinckley produced another turnover from the resulting line-out, and strong runs from A. Whittingham, Giles, Smith and Barnes took them deep into Ashby’s half.
Hinckley were then awarded a penalty 10 metres from Ashby’s try line which Drakeford took at pace. Goodwin was on hand to take the ball up to Ashby’s line before Burton finally crashed over from a ruck to score Hinckley’s second try of the match which was superbly converted by Drakeford to extend Hinckley’s lead to 14-0.

Ashby took the game back to Hinckley from the re-start, and were awarded a scrum on Hinckley’s 22 metre line, which Hinckley won against the head through some excellent work by the front row of Toon, Mensforth-Grove and Goodwin.
Hinckley then made their way back up to the half-way line, with Moore, Smith, Drakeford, A. Whittingham, Burton and Underwood all making good ground with the ball in hand. Ashby were then awarded another scrum on the half-way line and quickly shipped the ball to their outside centre, who broke through Hinckley’s defence to score Ashby’s first and only try, which was subsequently converted, reducing Hinckley’s lead to 14-7 as the half-time whistle sounded.

Hinckley brought on a couple of replacements for the second half with Miller and Buckler taking to the field. Ashby kicked off to Hinckley, the ball collected by Toon with A. Whittingham in support, taking the game back into Ashby’s half. Ashby re-gained possession, but Drakeford made an excellent steal at the ruck before bursting down the wing up to the five metre line (with one boot on!), but Ashby’s defence held firm.

Ashby were then awarded a penalty which they tried to run out, but were stopped in their tracks by a crunching tackle from Buckler. Ashby cleared again from another penalty, but the ball didn’t find touch and was gathered by Smith, who made good ground with Buckler, Miller and Goodwin all showing superb support play. Drakeford took the final pass but was illegally dump tackled 10 metres from Ashby’s try line, resulting in a Hinckley penalty. Drakeford took the crash ball but was again held up and Ashby cleared from a turnover.

Hinckley were now enjoying a good spell of possession and territory and, from a scrum on Ashby’s 22 metre line, the ball was passed swiftly through the backs’ hands to Moore who was tackled five metres short.

Hinckley’s pack was on hand to recycle the ball, which was passed back out through the hands of Hurley-Smith, Hutton and Smith, who off-loaded to Burton in support to power over the try line for his second and Hinckley’s third try of the match. Drakeford’s conversion from out wide fell just short, but Hinckley had extended their lead to 19-7.

Hinckley were now playing with the same intensity as the previous week, launching another attack following Ashby’s re-start through notable breaks from Hutton and Drakeford. Hinckley recycled the ball quickly again, which eventually found Smith after some excellent handling by Hinckley’s back line, and he danced his way through Ashby’s defence for his second try which was converted by Drakeford, increasing Hinckley’s lead to 26-7.

As the game entered the last quarter, Ashby came back at Hinckley, but their defence remained strong with solid tackles from Barnes and Buckler, eventually forcing Ashby to knock the ball forward. Hinckley counter-attacked from the resulting scrum, through a gliding run by Moore with Goodwin in support, who off-loaded to Drakeford out wide to dart down the wing, but again he was held up just short of the try line.

Hinckley however retained the ball from the resulting ruck which Burton picked up and crashed over for his hat-trick. Another excellent conversion by Drakeford went over with the help of a post, taking Hinckley into a convincing 33-7 lead.

Hinckley then brought on their remaining replacements, Newitt, McManus and Al-Salloum, and were now in dominant form as further breaks from Toon and L. Whittingham took them back into Ashby’s 22 metre line. Hinckley were then awarded a penalty which Burton took at pace, smashing through the flailing Ashby defence to score his fourth try of the day, extending Hinckley’s lead to 38-7, as Drakeford’s conversion this time bounced the wrong side of the post.

Hinckley were now rampant, attacking Ashby from the re-start, Goodwin and Burton making breaks with A. Whittingham in support, who sold an excellent dummy to break through the tiring Ashby three-quarter line to score another well worked try. Second choice kicker, Toon, was unlucky with the conversion but Hinckley’s lead had now been extended to 43-7.

Ashby pressed for a consolation try in the last phase of the match but were stopped in their tracks by a crunching tackle from McManus. Hinckley then turned over the ball from their own 22 metre line and it was picked up by Moore who showed a terrific burst of speed, cutting Ashby’s defence in half, to run in Hinckey’s eighth try of the game. Barnes converted from under the posts to end the match with Hinckley running out convincing winners 50-7.

This was a second consecutive superb performance by the Hinckley Under 14s squad, who are playing some excellent rugby and showing fantastic team spirit and attitude at the start of a new and exciting season.
Forest dumped, Ashby smashed – bring on the Wolves....!!

Match details

Match date

Sun 17 Sep 2017

Kickoff

11:00

Meet time

10:00

Location

Instructions

COUNTY CUP 1st ROUND
Arrive in Polo shirt and Black jeans.
Change into playing kit on arrival.
Formal shirt and Tie after game.

Team overview
Further reading