Hard Hits & Hard ground for U14s first game of the season

The time had come to see if the preseason training was going to pay off with the first away game of the season, just a short drive to Lichfield and we would see. We arrived at Lichfield to be welcomed with lovely sunshine, great for spectators but a little to warm for the players, The grass nice and green but the ground under it was dry and hard. Lichfield had all there available boys there ready to give Hinckley a hard game. Captain for the game was Kennerson and he started the game off with a hanging ball to give Hinckley time to run at the opposition, this was obvious from the way Lichfield took the ball this wasn’t going to be an easy game. The first scrum came about and it was Lichfield put in, Hinckley boys held their own but were not fortunate enough to steal the ball. The first 20 minuted saw a lot of end to end play with some good defence and attacking play from both sides but ending 0-0.

Second 20 minutes saw changes from both sides, which in turned saw a different game start to unfold. After a break down in Hinckley’s own half, Ploughman broke through, off loaded to Handford, then to Kennerson to score the 1st try of the game, but no conversion. Heads lifted and Hinckley started to wake up, but so did Lichfield who scored a try and converted. Hinckley then gave a way a silly penalty just before half time that Lichfield took advantage off finishing the second third 10-5.

The last 20 minutes saw more changed from both sides, again some great play seen by both teams, a try not allowed to Handford after a open play pick up, this did not dampen Hinckley spirits it just made them want it even more, with some great pressure from the forwards after a line out, Walton pushed through for the final try of the game but again no conversion. Hinckley stayed strong and managed to gain a penalty which was kicked by Kennerson, making the final over all score Lichfield 10- Hinckley 13. A great first game to the season, with all the players taking a lot away with them.

Squad; Baron, Bosworth, Craddock, Carey, Cooling, Goode, Gordon, Handford, Healy, Jesson, Kennerson, Kew, Marston, McGregor, Mitchell, Morgan, Pither, Ploughman, Schoonen, Thomas, Walton, Wassell,