Date of release: Sun 4th November 2007

“Mini’s take on Melton”

Hinckley’s Under 8’s sponsored by O'Hanlon & Skinner, fielded a strong defence in their first match against Melton, gaining lots of tags but lost out to some good running from Melton. Massarella and Spencer scored for Hinckley. Melton 25 - Hinckley 10.
The second match was another hard fought contest with Hinckley’s only try coming from Jordan. Melton 25 - Hinckley 5.
With both teams tiring in the final game, Melton again took the win, but in the closest match of the series. Melton 15 - Hinckley 0.
Hinckley Player of the Month for October was Massarella, with Cavanagh awarded Most Improved Player.

The Under 9's sponsored by Bronx UK, had a 3 match challenge against Melton. In the first game, Hinckley started well with good technique and discipline on display. Great driving support and bullish tackling led to an opening try for Hinckley from the lively Bower. Melton however responded with a further 3 tries during the game, final score Melton 15 - Hinckley 5.
The second match was very tight, with both sides looking strong, Melton showed aggression and responded to the 2 tries run in by Hinckley (Raine and Bower) leaving the final tally Melton 15 - Hinckley 10.
Finally in the last battle, Hinckley raised their game. Their teamwork and impressive running lines resulted in an early try from Heath. Melton responded with an equalising try, but Davis broke away and dived for the line taking Hinckley momentarily ahead. Melton however created an opportunity in the last minutes of the game leaving the final result a 10 - 10 draw.

The Under 10’s sponsored by AMG, Thermoskin & 600 Services lost a close first game with Melton by 0-5. Bees applied all the early pressure, but couldn’t convert it into points. They cam unstuck at the end after conceding a penalty deep in their own half which Melton converted with the last play of the match. Tackler of the Match went to Campbell and Man of the Match went to Rowe.
The second match the Bees got off to a flying start, with Baker breaking Melton’s line with a brilliant run and then offloaded to Campbell who in turn passed to Tuffin who sprinted past two of Melton’s players to score a magnificent team try. In the second half Melton’s forwards came more into the match and Hinckley gave away too many penalties, from which Melton took full advantage to score the try they deserved. Within minutes Melton had taken the lead with another fine try, but Hinckley hadn’t given up and with a penalty awarded to them Stretton took the ball and powered his way right up to Melton’s line but could not get over the line. Melton turned over the ball and flew all the way back up to Hinckley’s line only for a fine tackle from Jackson to save a certain score. Melton scored from yet another penalty to win by 15 points to 5. Jackson was awarded Tackler of the Match and Stretton Man of the Match for his courageous runs and effort he put into the match.
The Hinckley Hornets had a mixed first game with a lot of newcomers playing for the first time. Melton took full advantage by scoring two tries in the first half. The Hornets looked a lot better-organised team in the second half and with some brilliant back play Lowndes glided his way through Melton’s defence to score a great try. Melton powered their way back into the game with some great movement to give a final score Melton 15 - Hinckley Hornets 5. Tackler of the Match went to Ward for his great enthusiasm and Man of the Match was awarded to Hughes for some excellent runs and great all-round play.
In the second match the Hornets had started to gel together as a team learning from their earlier mistakes. The Hornet’s forwards driving Melton back. As the game continued Hinckley just got better and better and with the Hornets winning a scrum nearing full time the ball was played out to Hughes who powered his way into Meltons half laying the ball off superbly to Lowdnes who sprinted into the corner past 4 players for a tremendous try to win the match 5 points to 0. This was a fantastic win for the Hornets who are adding new players to their team all the time Tackler of the Match going to Haffner for his great spirit and Man of the Match going to Lowdnes who is a great new talent, but every player made a contribution.

Hinckley Under 11’s, sponsored by TMS Volvo and J&H Construction visited Melton Mowbray for their toughest test so far this season.  Hinckley weathered early Melton pressure putting in some awesome tackles before mounting a stalwart attack with Ruskin taking the ball off the back of a ruck to open the scoring just before half time.
Melton replied early in the second half with a well worked try. Hinckley came back strongly but were denied a try for an infringement and Melton capitalised, taking Hinckley by surprise scoring from a quickly taken tap penalty to give them the lead. Hinckley were determined not to let the match slip from their grasp and a series of rucks and mauls brought Hinckley to within feet of the try line for Bowler to force the ball across to level the score. Hinckley continued to pressure the Melton line with both sides extremely determined. In a fierce encounter the ball came loose in the Melton try area and Bowler was first to pounce on it to return the lead to Hinckley.
All tries were converted with Hinckley’s three kicked by Ruskin for a final score of Melton Mowbray 14 - Hinckley 21. Man of the Match was shared between dynamic back Spencer and hard working and determined second row Sephton.

Hinckley Under 12’s, sponsored by Nextgen Rigging, showed the sort of form that will make them a difficult team to beat this season, in their matches against Melton. The first half saw good interplay between backs and forwards with fluid passing whenever possible, but it was H.Ginvert who opened the scoring after being the first to spot a loose ball at the back of a scrum, and then shrugged off two tackles to place the ball over the try line. The backs, though full of threat, could not seem to make the crucial break as Melton’s defence was stretched but not breached on several occasions, and so it was left to T.Bexon to break from another maul and extend the lead, with a trade mark try. The home team did all that they could to reduce the lead, but solid Hinckley defence meant that they were denied the chance to get back into the game. Final score Melton Mowbray 0 - Hinckley 10.

The second game saw Hinckley’s development side fielding our new recruits, against Melton’s development team, and they played very well. Good handling and determined running saw T Mason run in 2 fine tries as the forwards stormed through the first half, A.Holland and T.Bexon adding to their tally. Melton struck back in the first half with a good try of their own, but it was to be a solitary breach of Hinckley’s defence in this game. After half-time Hinckley tried to play a more expansive game and R.Faulkener ran through the home defence after committing the opposing winger to a pass that never came. A.Holland got another, to round off a very good display by the development side. Final score Melton Mowbray 7- Hinckley 34.

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