Date of release: Sun 14th October 2007

“Minis & Juniors continue grass-roots supply of World Championship Rugby”

As English Rugby prepares itself for a successive World Cup Final next weekend, Hinckley’s young teams had every intent of keeping the supply of future talent coming, in their own matches this weekend…

Hinckley Under 7’s, sponsored by Hinckley Round Table, fielded two sides, The Lions and Tigers, against local rivals Tamworth. In the first match, Lions beat Tamworth 25-20 in a tight encounter despite Tamworth taking an early lead. Strong defence from The Lions, assisted by 3 tries from Morrisey and one from Chenery along with a late solo effort from Nixon ensured that The Lions finished as winners.
In the second game, The Tigers were well beaten 40-0 due to an organised and determined Tamworth side who were helped by some sloppy Hinckley defence and too many unforced errors. The Tigers never got into the game and despite best efforts struggled to threaten the Tamworth line.
In the third game, Tamworth also ran out winners despite The Lions taking a 15-0 lead into the break. Strong early pressure from The Lions saw them run in tries from Upton, Nixon and Hall-Crowfoot. A spirited fight back by Tamworth saw them score 6 second half tries whilst the Lions added a further two tries from Payne resulting in Hinckley narrowly losing 30-25 at the final whistle.
In the final game, two good solo tries from Chenery either side of half-time weren’t enough to prevent the Tigers going down 25-10 to Tamworth, who again showed second half strength after seeing the scores level at half time. All in all, a lot of promise was shown by the Under 7’s who showed what they are a capable squad, as they continue early season matches.

Hinckley’s young Under 8’s sponsored by O'Hanlon & Skinner, started slowly in their first match against Rugby St Andrews, and fought back in the second half with tries from Gibson, Jordan, Lewis and Massarella, but just couldn’t catch St Andrews in the Hinckley 20 - Rugby St Andrews 35 result.
In the second match Hinckley again notched up 20 points with two tries from Rickels and one each from Gibson and Lewis, but again just lost out with a Hinckley 20 - Tamworth 35 score line.
Hinckley finished the day with Jordan, Massarella and Rickels each gaining a try against Tamworth, but again another high scoring match went Tamworth’s way. Hinckley 15 - Tamworth 30.

The Under 9's sponsored by Bronx UK, had a good start to their weekend’s matches against Rugby St Andrews, with tries by Sharkey, Miller and Bower, just edging the victory in the Rugby St Andrews 10 - Hinckley 15 result.
Hinckley then maintained their form against Tamworth in Tamworth 10 - Hinckley 15 encounter with tries scored by Miller, Kershaw and Davis.
The last match was a closer affair with Heath scoring the only Hinckley try in the Tamworth 5 - Hinckley 5 draw.

Hinckley Under 10’s Bees sponsored by AMG, Thermoskin and 600 services played in the Prima Cup at Vipers this weekend. The Bees first opponents in their group of four teams saw them face Leicester Lions.
Hinckley got off to a great start with Houghton scoring the first try, coming from a series of powerful drives. Lions levelled the score catching the Bees asleep with a fine try of their own. On the stroke of half time Hinckley kept Lions trapped in their own half and were rewarded with a try from Reeves who powered his way through Lion’s defence with a committed dive over the line. The second half saw the Bees dominate the game with some excellent work in the mauls and rucks, not allowing the Lions back into the game. By the final whistle Hinckley had added two further tries both coming from a rejuvenated Campbell. Final score Bees 20 - Lions 5. Man of the Match was Houghton for his powerful display and the Tackler of the Match went to Campbell.
The second match against Oadby Wyggs was much more even with both teams making their tackles count. As the game wore on the Bees began to break through the Wyggs defences with some powerful forward play. Deep in the Wyggs half, Hinckley won a lineout and with a good take from Houghton who crashed his way through Wyggs line for a well deserved try. Not for the first time, Hinckley were caught napping straight from the second half kick off, allowing the opposition to run in a simple try. This gave Wyggs more confidence, who then threw everything at the Bees. As the game came to a close, Wyggs won a scrum on the halfway line, the ball was played out quickly, Hinckley missed some vital tackles and Wyggs sprinted to the corner to win a very close contested match 10 points to 5. Man of the Match was Ames and Tackler of the Match was Tuffin.
Hinckley’s final match against Aylestone St James saw the Bees back to their best, playing as a unit and controlling the game. Houghton getting Hinckley’s first try from a penalty and Baker adding a second picking up the loose ball to twist and turn his way through the Aylestone defence. In the second half the Bees out powered the opposition causing them to make mistakes, from which Hinckley added three tries, these coming from Baker, Croasdale and Collings. The final score Hinckley 25 - Aylestone 0; Man of the Match was awarded to Baker and Tackler of the Match to James.
Player of the Tournament was Houghton. The Bees just missed out on reaching the final but they can hold their heads high from a fine all round performance from all of the team.
 

Hinckley Under 11’s, sponsored by TMS Volvo and J&H Construction travelled to Rugby St Andrews for a triangular fixture together with Tamworth. Hinckley started strongly with their forwards going head to head against a powerful Tamworth squad, with both sides giving little away. Hinckley strength finally told late in the first half as Tuilagi crossed the line in a driving maul for a try, which was converted by Ruskin. In the second half, continual Hinckley pressure told as Hinckley backs got in on the action with Atkinson scoring off a passing sequence out of a scrum and also crossing the whitewash with a fine run from deep, with Ruskin adding another conversion. Final score Hinckley 19 - Tamworth 0. Man of the Match went to Williams for excellent work in the pack and Tackle of the Match went to Pook for a try stopper in the corner.
Hinckley then lined up against hosts Rugby St Andrews and Tuilagi again opened the scoring, driven over by the Hinckley pack with the conversion by Ruskin. Tuilagi broke through for another try before Rugby St Andrews replied with a converted try before half time. Atkinson increased Hinckley’s tally with an early second half try with Bowler adding another five points following a fine passing sequence through the hands of the Hinckley backs. Nixon completed the scoring for Hinckley with brace of tries with the second being converted by Ruskin. Final score Rugby St Andrews 7 - Hinckley 34. Man of the Match went to Campion in the determined Hinckley forwards and Tackle of the Match went to Holt for two key tackles in quick succession.

Hinckley Under 12’s, sponsored by Nextgen Rigging faced Tamworth in their opening match. After last week’s efforts, it was a different side that came onto the pitch this week and Hinckley soon stormed ahead through a Harkness run, which breached Tamworth’s defence, quickly followed up by two further Bexon tries after strong mauling enabled an opening. Tamworth battled bravely and pulled a try back after some good work from their backs, but it was Harkness who put the game beyond Tamworth’s reach with another physical drive, pushing him over the try line. Hinckley’s backs and forwards combined well in this match and have hopefully shown some promise for the weeks to come. Final score Hinckley 20 – 5 Tamworth
A second game against Rugby St Andrews gave Hinckley a chance to play some of their newer players gaining valuable match experience. Rugby had a good back line and one or two elusive runners, but had difficulty in capitalising on their good work; with an opening allowing A.Holland to storm over for the first try. The game then lulled into stalemate with neither team being able to find that incisive break, which continued into the second half when an alert Smith got to the Rugby try line for his debut try, which effectively ended Rugby’s resistance and though always eager to run at Hinckley, couldn’t break the solid Hinckley defence. Final score Hinckley Development 10 – 0 Rugby St Andrews.

The Hinckley Under 14’s, sponsored by Williams Recycling, hosted a development match against Rugby St Andrews, helping to develop their growing squad, and hoping to progress to playing two full teams, at this age group. The Hinckley team took time to find it’s feet, with a pack and back line that had hardly played together before, however an early break by Wilson took the game to St Andrews, who managed to hold back the Hinckley attack, and then build their confidence to launch their own attacks and score, outpacing the Hinckley defence for an early score. Hinckley then started to gel as a team, and great catches and runs by full back Hudson, returned any St Andrews kicks with interest build a platform for successive phases of play from Hinckley’s recycling forwards. It wasn’t long before another Hinckley break set up a ruck, from which the ball spun out to centre Stevenson to go over and equalise the score 5-5. With all to play for, the Hinckley team lost their discipline and teamwork a little, resulting in individual breaks, occasionally loosing possession. However sustained Hinckley pressure soon forced a St Andrews penalty, from which a driving Parkin took quickly to drive himself over the line for a final score Hinckley 10- St Andrews 5. Man of the Match was awarded to Parkin for his commitment.

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 07751 659388