A SIZZLING OPENER FOR HINCKLEY UNDER 8s

Playing our first competitive matches on our new pitches, Hinckley's whole squad got stuck into their opponents and their combined strength and speed soon proved very difficult for Earlsdon to deal with.

The uncharacteristic very hot weather dictated that player rotation was imperative, with all squad players getting valuable match practice. In particular debutants Hurley-Smith and Buckler showing great potential with 2 tries and 10 tags respectively.

Game 1 was typical of how Hinckley played all morning with strong direct running, excellent close support play and determined organised defensive tagging. Moore, Burton and Goodwin were prominent taggers in the first half with tries for Barnes, Goodwin, Moore and Smith which provided us with a half time lead of 4-1. Our continued good tagging performance by Moore and debutant Buckley in the second half resulted in Earlsdon scoring no more tries in reply to Hinckley's three from Moore, Morrissey and Smith. Full time 7-1 to Hinckley.

Earlsdon appeared to gain in confidence during the second game putting up more resistance. Burton, Barnes and Goodwin put in the usual good all-round first half performances scoring five tries between them along with plenty of tags. Again the second half saw a complete change of players turning around 5-3 up with Carvell, Moore and Mensforth-Grove continuing tagging and further tries scored by Carvell (2), Moore and Mensforth Grove one apiece. Full time 9-5 in Hinckley's favour.

Game 3 proved to be a lot closer at half time, Hinckley only ahead 2-1, both tries scored by birthday boy Barnes. Burton, Buckler and Smith proved busiest in defence tagging. The second half witnessed a flurry of tries 6-3 in Hinckley's favour, a further 3 for Barnes, Moore (2) and first of the day for impressive debutant Hurley-Smith. The final score was 8-4 as Hinckley eased away with an improved second half display.

The final game of the morning (as the referee began to tire after a barrel of beer at previous nights quiz night fund raiser) again proved to be quite close at half time, Hinckley ahead 3-1 through a brace of tries for Collerson and another for Moore. All team members tagged well with debutant Buckler again getting well stuck in.

As in previous game, Hinckley upped their game in the second half, notably in defence thanks mainly to tagging performances of Burton and Goodwin (8 each), Mensforth-Grove, Morrissey and Bradshaw all pitched in well also, latter producing some excellent long runs to set up two more tries for Barnes and one apiece for Burton and Hurley-Smith. Hinckley running out victorious 7-3.

A fabulous summers day in October provided weather for a very satisfying opening performance from all squad members, they should be very pleased with all their efforts.

Notable fixture performances from Barnes and Moore with nine and six tries respectively and also excellent tagging stats from Moore (33) Burton (23) Goodwin (22) Mensforth-Grove (10) and particularly pleasing by new member Buckler with ten tags also.

Other try scorers of day Burton (3), Collerson (2), Goodwin (3), Carvell (2), Mensforth-Grove (1), Hurley-Smith (2), Morrissey (1) and Smith (2)