Date of release: Sun 23rd September 2007

“Juniors tested at Derby Lexus Festival”

Hinckley’s Junior teams faced an early season trial as they took on some of the region’s largest clubs at the Lexus Festival in Derby this weekend. The short 12-a-side matches, in which any early season mistakes usually result in quick scores, have provided a great benchmark for the teams to quickly build upon.

The Under 13’s sponsored by J C Remedials, travelled to the Lexus Festival in Derby this weekend, to open their season’s campaign.
In their first match against Walsall, Hinckley was pinned down in their own half and defended well, but Walsall found a gap and went over the line to score the first points. Hinckley were then caught knapping and Walsall didn’t need a second chance to take another score, duly converted for a 12-0 Walsall lead at half time. Hinckley started to find their form in the second half with trademark good handling and possession, but they couldn’t break the Walsall defence and a final score 12-0 to Walsall.
Hinckley then faced hosts Derby, but were caught on the back foot from the whistle and Derby went ahead very early on. After this break, the game settled down and Hinckley dominated the play but couldn’t create the opportunity to break Derby’s line. With the sides at deadlock in the second half, Hinckley were unlucky in the final score Derby 5 - Hinckley 0.
In their next pool game against Kenilworth, another early corner score saw Hinckley go behind. Hinckley responded with a good run from McLeish to gain ground and quick recycled ball down the line enabled Hinckley’s Mechin to cross the line to score. Cooper’s conversion put Hinckley ahead for the first time in the game. Half time Hinckley 7 Kenilworth 5. From the restart Kenilworth put Hinckley under pressure and through a sustained attack, managed to break Hinckley’s lines to score a second try. A final score of Hinckley 7 - Kenilworth 10 resulted.

The Under 14’s sponsored by Williams Recycling, also travelled to the Lexus Festival, and faced Stourbridge in their first pool match.
Hinckley opened strongly, with the pack and backs working well, to create great flowing rugby. Scores were quickly notched up by Hinckley’s Abelson, Lally, Tom, and Cull (2), with Lally’s conversions slotting neatly between the posts. A shaken Stourbridge recovered in the second half, exploiting carelessness in the Hinckley defence to cross over for a score, in the Hinckley 26 – Stourbridge 5 result.
Hinckley then faced Olney, and seemed to loose their earlier focus, as they struggled to create quick ball. Olney exploited this eventually going over in the first half for a converted score. Hinckley then found themselves chasing the game, and despite a closing score, missed the equalising conversion, ending the game Hinckley 5 – Olney 7.
Hinckley were then left with the challenge of beating favourites Nottingham to secure their playoff place, and despite matching Nottingham up front, injuries left the Hinckley back line exposed, which Nottingham were quick to exploit and secure a first half score. Hinckley threatened Nottingham’s lines several times, but were punished by Nottingham scores resulting from lapse defence, ending in a Hinckley 0 – Nottingham 19 score line.

For further information on any aspect of Hinckley RFC Mini and Juniors please contact the Chairman, Stuart Elder on 07721 407008.

Contact: Nigel Abraham
Press Officer
Telephone 07850 301443