Lichfield Seven’s Festival – Cup Winners & Shield runners Up

Hinckley only had 18 players at their disposal, split between 2 teams meant a lot of rugby on the Hottest day of the year. Staying hydrated and out of the Sun would prove critical on the long hot day.
Hinckley A were drawn in a group with Lichfield A and Sutton Coldfield. Hinckley A team consisted mainly of players who have never played sevens rugby before. After a slow start they were on a quick learning curve growing in confidence after each game. Hinckley A finished bottom of their group setting up a shield semi-final against Utoxeter. Hinckley A romped into the shield final running in six unanswered try’s to finish the game early. The shield final against Newcastle (Staffs) was a test too far for the inexperienced Hinckley team, although holding their own in the first half Newcastle were too strong and pulled away in the second half final score Hinckley 5 Newcastle 38.
Hinckley A should be proud of themselves for never giving up, with only two subs at their disposal carrying on even when totally Knackered.
Hinckley A Team: - A.Whittingham (2 try’s), Wainde (1), Giles, Underwood (3), Newitt, Dewfield (1), L. Whittingham (2), Miller, Toon

Hinckley B, the majority seven’s veterans, after winning at Syston the previous day, were drawn in arguably the toughest of the four groups.
Hinckley B’s first game was against Chepstow (who thought they were in with a good shout of winning the cup after beating Newcastle). Hinckley comfortably brushed aside Chepstow 34-5, the previous days tournament proving valuable in gaining much needed sevens experience. Hinckley then needed to beat Newcastle to top the group and set up a cup semi-final. The Newcastle game was tougher than expected with one try each at half time. Hinckley’s power, pace and discipline in defense shone through in the second half with three unanswered scores. Final score Hinckley 28 Newcastle 5.
The Cup semi-final against Vipers, was again a tight first half with Hinckley going into the break one try up. Again the second half was a different story, Hinckley now looking like sevens professionals holding their defensive line and attacking the space, plus their superior fitness proved too much for Vipers as Hinckley ran in four more try’s to finish off the game. Final Score Hinckley 42 Vipers 7.
Hinckley now faced Old Sills in the cup final for a winner takes all match. Hinckley started strong scoring in the first 40 seconds. This gave Old Sills a wakeup call who themselves had breezed into the final. Old Sills scored the next two try’s which put Hinckley behind for the first time ever. However Hinckley equalised on the stroke of half time to set up a tense final seven minutes. The loyal Hinckley supporters needn’t have worried as Hinckley dominated the second halve scoring two unanswered try’s, putting the game out of Old Sills reach and sending them home empty handed.
Hinckley B team:- Drakeford (3 try’s), Jacques (8), Moore (2), Goodwin, Allen (3), Golding, Fountaine (1), Smith (3), Buckler, Hutton.
Massive congratulations to the whole Hinckley squad who gave 110% over two long hot days, they stayed focused and proved that they can turn their hands to anything. This group of boys are turning into something special.