Syston Sevens Success

The unusual good weather on May bank holiday helped the Hinckley squad and supporters keep upbeat throughout the long hot day.
Seven teams were competing for the title of Syston Sevens Cup, including last year’s winners Kettering. The teams were split into two groups with Hinckley being drawn alongside Oadby, Syston and Market Harborough 2.
Hinckley’s won their opening game against Market Harborough comfortably, running in nine unanswered tries in 10 minutes. Excellent defense and strong running from the whole squad gave the Hinckley boys a much-needed confidence boost. Try scorers in game one: - Jaques (3), Moore (2), Allen, Fountaine, Smith and Buckler. Allen and Moore sharing the conversions. Final score Hinckley 52 Harborough 0.

Game 2 v Oadby Wyggs was another comfortable win, this time going the full 14 minutes distance and Hinckley conceding their first try of the day. Final score Hinckley 40 Oadby 5. Try scorers Jaques (4), Moore and Allen. Allen kicking 5 from 6 conversions.

Game 3 v Syston, Hinckley needed to win their final group game to finish top of the group. Syston put up a brave fight but were no match for the now confident and experienced Hinckley sevens players. The emergency training session last week explaining the rules of sevens rugby obviously paid off as Hinckley ran in seven unanswered try’s for another comfortable win. Final score Hinckley 41 Syston 0. Try scorers Jaques (3) Allen (2) Smith and Buckler. Drop kick conversions from Allen.

With Kettering finishing top of group B, setting up a Cup semi – Final against old foes Ashby.

Cup semi-final v Ashby. Hinckley’s toughest game of the day so far came from the strong runners of Ashby. Hinckley maintained their game plan, tackling hard, attacking space and shipping the ball out wide putting them in control with a 28 point to 0 lead at half time.
The two Leicestershire society refs officiating allowed all the games to flow and enable all teams to play some excellent rugby.
The second half was a much tighter, with both teams tiring in the heat and only scoring one try apiece. Final Score Hinckley 35 Ashby 5. Try scorers Smith (2) Allen (2) and Jaques. Allen converting all five try’s.

The other Semi-final, between Kettering and Syston was a much tighter affair, with Syston pushing Kettering all the way. Kettering the eventual victors after a very physical battle. Thus setting up a cup final to be contested by the two best teams of the day.

Cup Final v Kettering.
The Hinckley boys were definitely up for this final, running through their pre match routines, Alan Wainde did an excellent job of keeping the players hydrated all day which seemed to give us the edge. Kettering looked bruised and battered after their tough semi, which Hinckley capitalised on with Allen scoring after 50 seconds. This was followed by Jacques swiftly exiting the field of play to avoid an embarrassing accident which lightened the mood and his load. Hinckley continued to press Kettering scoring a further two try’s and Jacques returning after his false alarm. Kettering scored in the last minute of the half, giving Hinckley a 19 – 7 lead at half time.
Kettering came out for the second half revved up and scored after 30 seconds, this was going to be a final worth watching. The next four minutes of play was very physical with the ball being turned over by both teams and nobody breaking through the excellent defense. However, Hinckley’s superior fitness eventually shone through, allowing them to score two final try’s against a tired Kettering side. Final score Hinckley 31 Kettering 14. Try scorers Allen (2), Burton, Barnes, and Smith. Allen again with the conversions.
Credit again to this excellent group of boys, who bounced back from last week’s disappointment stronger and better. Lichfield Sevens tomorrow with the whole squad taking part, party on.