Date of release: Sun 21st October 2007

“Mini’s strong performances against Vipers and Leicester Lions as
Under 13’s win against Banbury”

Hinckley Under 7’s, sponsored by Hinckley Round Table, played two games each against Leicester Lions and Vipers. In the first match they met The Lions who were a physically big side full of strong runners and Hinckley found themselves 20-0 down at the turnaround. Hinckley however found some confidence in the second half and matched the Lions, touching down tries from Payne and Chenery leaving the score 30-10 to The Lions at the final whistle.
Encouraged by the second half performance against Leicester Lions, Hinckley started against the Vipers in resurgent fashion touching down an early try though Sharkey. In a flowing and open game full of tries Hinckley added a further seven tries with top scorer Hall-Crowfoot (3), Houghton, Whitehurst, Morrisey and Chenery all adding to the impressive second half. At full time, Hinckley was unfortunate to go down 45-40 in spite of having what looked like a perfectly good try disallowed late on.
In their second meeting of the day against Leicester Lions, Hinckley largely managed to reign in their strong running opponents, restricting them to just a try either side of half time resulting in a 10-0 deficit at the end.
In the final game of the day against Vipers, Hinckley was again narrowly defeated 15-10 despite tries from Sharkey and Hall-Crowfoot. All in all, the day was reminiscent of the England World Cup campaign, given that missed score…

Hinckley’s Under 8’s sponsored by O'Hanlon & Skinner, opened with a high scoring, end to end match against Leicester Lions. Massarella scored twice with one each for Babb, Cavanagh, Jordan and Roan. Calver, Moore and Spencer also scored their first points for Hinckley, but even this wasn’t enough to stop Lions clinching the win Hinckley 45 - Leicester Lions 55.
The second match was another high scoring contest with Hinckley just losing out to Vipers. Cavanagh and Jordan scored two each with other Hinckley tries coming from Gibson, Massarella and Roan, in the Hinckley 35 - Vipers 45 result

The Under 9's sponsored by Bronx UK, faced Vipers in their first match. Vipers took the advantage from the whistle and pushed Hinckley hard. Despite this, Hinckley played well with plenty of tackles. All players displayed great teamwork with Hubbard scoring for Hinckley, in the Vipers 20 - Hinckley 5 result.
Leicester Lions were up next, but were a weaker side than Vipers, enabling a determined Hinckley to push hard with a score by Davis, and Miller scoring a hat trick! Campion was unlucky to miss out on a try, having sprinted from the half way line! Powerful attacking play from Hinckley in the Lions 0 - Hinckley 20 result.

Hinckley Under 10’s sponsored by AMG, Thermoskin and 600 Services played a friendly match against Vipers and Leicester Lions at the Leicester Lions home ground this weekend. The Hornets first faced Leicester Lions who took an early lead with two tries. Houghton joined the game as a substitute for an injured player and after a storming run scored straight away. In the second half the Hornets played well as a team with Egginton and Lauder making several powerful tackles. Unfortunately Lions gained another try and won the game 15 - 5. Man of the Match went to Egginton and the Tackler of the Match went to Lauder.
The second match was Hinckley Bees versus Vipers. Bees took an early lead with a fantastic try from Baker. Unbeatable defence, with well made tackles from Lowndes and great play by the rest of the team led to another two storming tries coming from James and Houghton. At full time there was a well-deserved victory for the Bees, winning 15 - 0. Man of the Match and Tackler of the Match went to Lowndes.
In a third match between Hinckley Hornets and Leicester Lions, Lions took the lead and although Hinckley played well together with a good try saving tackle by Chenery, Lions scored two more tries in the second half. The game ended 15 – 0, with Man of the Match to Lauder and Tackler of the Match awarded to Chenery.
The Final match saw Bees playing Leicester Lions. In the first half, several good tackles were made by a number of players including Houghton, Tuffin and Lowndes but unfortunately Lions scored a try. In the second half Rowe had a couple of storming runs towards the try line but Hinckley couldn’t break through the Lions defence. Lions went on to score another try winning the game 10 – 0. Man of the Match went to Rowe and Tackler of the Match went to Tuffin.

Hinckley Under 11’s, sponsored by TMS Volvo and J&H Construction came away with two wins, without conceding a try in their matches against Lions and Vipers.
Hinckley had a hard fought first half with Vipers, with Hinckley achieving the only score through a fantastic run by Atkinson, who secured the ball from a Vipers penalty kick. Hinckley strength showed in the second half with Ruskin scoring off the back of a maul and Atkinson scoring another after Hinckley’s powerful pack won a Vipers scrum. Hinckley closed Vipers out completely with a maiden try by Williams who shrugged off multiple tackles to cross the line. Ruskin converted the last two for a final score of Vipers 0 - Hinckley 24. Man of the Match went to scrum half Ruskin.
Hinckley then lined up against hosts Leicester Lions and in what proved a tighter match; the only score from a well worked try, in which Atkinson crossed the line in the first half with the successful conversion by Ruskin. Hinckley was unlucky not to add to their total in the second half with several fine team efforts. The final score remained at Leicester Lions 0 - Hinckley 7 with Man of the Match going to season newcomer Spencer for several fine tackles and so nearly adding to Hinckley’s score.

Hinckley Under 12’s, sponsored by Nextgen Rigging had two games against an under strength Lions squad this weekend, and also kept a clean sheet, with Lions failing to score.
In their first game, Hinckley’s Backs and Forwards worked well together and exploited the gaps in Lions defence. It was inevitable that T Bexon, and B Harkness would get onto the score sheet, but very good tries also came from the back line of Davis and Faulkener who worked well together. Final score Hinckley 45 – Leicester Lions 0.
A second game proved equally one sided and another fine defensive display meant that Hinckley’s defence kept a clean sheet as well as making great inroads into the Leicester half at every opportunity. Leicester battled until the end but were unable to prevent Hickman, Harkness, Bexon and Beatty adding to the score and a good cross-field kick saw M Davis in for a fine try. As the backs’ confidence grew, a great all round performance resulted especially from the new lads. Final score Hinckley 40 – Leicester Lions 0.
This weekend saw the Under 12’s proudly playing in their new Kit courtesy of sponsors Nextgen Rigging. The team are really pleased with the standard and design of the shirts and wish to say a big “Thank You” to Bill Twoomey who has kindly agreed to be their sponsor this season.

Hinckley Under 13’s sponsored by JC Remedials travelled to Banbury, and had a great start as strong tackles quickly secured the ball in Hinckley’s favour. In the early minutes of the game Hinckley were awarded a penalty and Tuilagi went for the kick and scored to put the first points on the board. From the kick-off Banbury secured the ball and with good work from the backs they managed to score their first try. The game settled a little with Hinckley keeping most of the possession. A well-placed cross-field kick from Tuilagi then broke the stalemate as it went straight to Cooper waiting on the Hinckley wing, who then ran through two tackles to go under the post for Hinckley’s first try, converted by Tuilagi. Hinckley were now on top in the game with great work from the forwards winning important ball to recycle to the backs, down the line from Mechin to McLeish who went over the line for Hinckley. Half time score Hinckley 15 Banbury 5.
A good aggressive re-start from Hinckley set the pace of the second half, but Banbury had their own ideas and gained good territory from a clearance kick and ended-up within 2 metres of the Hinckley line but fantastic defence from Hinckley forwards turned the ball over, enabling a clearance kick from Tuilagi. From the lineout Banbury attacked again and again Hinckley ‘dug in’ and defended well to hold up the ball from a try. Hinckley worked well in the scrums to win ball, as Banbury turned the ball over in the ruck and with good passing from the backs managed to move towards Hinckley’s line and score a try in the last minutes of the game. A fantastic game of rugby from the lads. Final score Hinckley 15 - Banbury 12.

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