Date of release: Sun 2nd December 2007

“Hinckley Minis & Juniors play Glastonbury – conditions that is…!”

On a morning of heavy rain and on a pitch that resembled last year’s Glastonbury Festival, Hinckley Under-7’s sponsored by Hinckley Round Table fielded two sides, The Lions and The Tigers to play games against Loughborough RFC and Cosby RFC. In the first match The Lions met Loughborough in a tight game going down 10-5 at the final whistle with the Lions try coming from the pacey Goldby.
In the second match, The Tigers faired better against Loughborough gaining a 15-15 draw with tries from Chenery, Sharkey and Goldby in a match in which they were unlucky not to win.
Match 3, saw the Lions take on Cosby in an open encounter, once again drawing 20-20 at the final whistle. The Lions tries came from the lively Goldby (2), Whitehurst and Smith.
The fourth match saw The Tigers once again taking on Loughborough and once again drawing, after three tries from Chenery and one each from Delo and Whitehust resulting in a 25-25 final score.
The final match left us all regretting that we hadn’t got the under 7-s on our pools coupons after yet another draw in which the Lions met Cosby. Tries from Whitehurst, Goldby and Nixon left a rain-soaked crowd watching a 15-15 final score. All in all the standard of play for the Under-7s is gradually improving with some fast and exciting players developing.

Hinckley’s Under 8’s sponsored by O'Hanlon & Skinner, lost their first encounter against Loughborough, 15-30, despite some excellent tagging. Gibson scored twice for Hinckley with Davies scoring the other try.
Their second game was very tight with the lead changing several times. In the end Cosby just edged ahead, and won 25-35. Hinckley’s Massarella crossed the line twice with one each for Cavanagh, Chamberlain and Roan.
The last game was a cracking match with both teams playing some outstanding rugby. It ended in a well-deserved draw, 20-20 with Cavanagh and Massarella both scoring twice for Hinckley.

Hinckley Under 10’s sponsored by AMG, Thermoskin and 600 Services, fielded Bees and Hornets teams this weekend.
Bees came racing out the blocks in their first match against Cosby with the forwards taking early control of the match for Lowdnes to race into the corner for their first try. Hinckley continued to pressure Cosby winning a scrum deep in their half, Baker took the ball himself and dived over the line for the Bees second try. Hinckley scored two more tries - the first saw James finish the move with a try and the second coming from Houghton with a powerful drive through Cosbys defence. Hinckley continued to dominate the game and on the last play of the match Ames picked up a loose ball to finish off with a well deserved try. Man of the Match was Ames and Tackler of the Match was Stretton, both players playing some great rugby. Final score 25-0.
Bees found a stiffer test when they met Loughborough with both teams making committed tackles but as the game wore on Hinckley started to find some gaps. Hinckley opened the score with a fine try from Houghton. Bees continued to pressure forcing Loughborough to make mistakes and Tuffin seized the loose ball to race from the halfway line for a great individual try. Hinckley’s relentless pressure finally wore Loughborough down, Campbell finishing the match off with a great team try to see the Bees win 15-0. Man of the Match was Collings. Tackler of the Match went to Hughes for some bone crunching tackles.
Hornets first encounter was against Loughborough in the slippy conditions. Loughborough took advantage of a couple of mistakes to go two tries up within a matter of minutes. Hornets recovered and started to play some good rugby, notably Downes making some brave tackles to deny Loughborough another try. Hinckleys scrummage improved in the second half and they started to believe in themselves but just couldn’t finish off their moves with the try they deserved. Final score Loughborough 10 - Hornets 0. Man of the Match was Ward and Tackler of the Match was Downes.
Hornets got off to slow start again and Cosby took full advantage to take an early lead. Hornets continued to force the game though with some great runs coming from Steele and Eggington but they just couldn’t find the try line. On the stroke of half time Cosby somehow scored a second. Hinckley continued to make some committed tackles to deny Cosby and in particular Wilkin flung himself into a superb tackle to halt Cosby in their tracks. Final score Hornets 0 - Cosby 10. Tackler of the Match went to Wilkin and Man of the Match went to Eggington for his all round effort in both matches.

Hinckley Under 11’s, sponsored by TMS Volvo and J&H Construction entertained Loughborough with two back to back matches. In the first match, Hinckley started with the advantage of playing downhill and sustained pressure eventually punctured a strong Loughborough defence with a fine angled run by Ruskin. Hinckley scored again before half time as Tuilagi powered over after two good tackles off the back of a Loughborough scrum with a successful conversion by Ruskin. Hinckley went to sleep for the second half as Loughborough, now with down advantage, showed their determination and hunger as, with good ball work in slippery conditions, they clawed back the two tries, successfully converting them both for a well deserved victory and a final score of Hinckley 12 Loughborough 14 to inflict Hinckley's first defeat of the season.
The teams came out for their second match with Hinckley having had some motivational words from their coaches. Again with downhill advantage, the Hinckley team was able to build up a first half lead, opening with a strong run by Atkinson, followed by a brace from Ruskin, all converted by Ruskin for a half time lead of 21-0. Loughborough put the pressure on at the start of the second half determined to catch Hinckley again but were stunned by a breakaway try from Ruskin. Loughborough rucked and mauled their way to get on the scoreboard with a good try and conversion but Hinckley backs now moved up a gear and some great passing moves put Ruskin through again with Nixon and Bowler rounding off the scoring with a try each. Ruskin converted all bar one of the tries for a final score of Hinckley 47 Loughborough 7 to get Hinckley back to winning ways."

Hinckley Under 12’s, sponsored by Nextgen Rigging, hosted Loughborough this week end, and in poor conditions the lads did very well, the forwards working well with the backs and a typical determined from M Davis saw the score line open to the home side, converting his own try saw Hinckley 7 to the good. The forwards continued to dominate and B Harkness’s determination to get to the try line saw Hinckley’s lead extended. Loughborough continued to try and play an expansive game but the conditions wouldn’t really allow them to use their well drilled back line, so any mistakes were quickly dealt with by Hinckley’s forwards and it was T Bexon who put the game beyond dispute with two good tries after rolling from the side of the maul. Loughborough to their credit hit back late in the game with a well crafted try of their own but it was not enough to change the Hinckley victory. Final Score Hinckley 24 – 7 Loughborough.
The second game saw Hinckley’s development side fielding some of our newer recruits, against Loughborough’s development team, this was a much closer match with Loughborough starting to handle well amongst their backs, and after good pressure were rewarded with a try which was converted for a 0 – 7 lead, however this was quickly cancelled out by a B Harkness effort to restore parity. The second half was a very close encounter with both teams having half breaks and chances to win the game, however, the important score wouldn’t come for either side and so the game ended as a 7 – 7 draw, a great testament to both sides efforts to play the game in spite of the conditions.

Hinckley Under 13’s sponsored by JC Remedials and Stoney Stanton Fish & Chip Shop, had a good start against Coalville with most of the play in Coalville’s half. Hinckley had two near misses due to slippery conditions but through pressure and driving, close to the Coalville line, Steptoe managed to go over in the corner for Hinckley’s first try, converted by Tuilagi. The game continued in Coalville’s half with plenty of good scrums and Hinckley making the most with Brink getting Hinckley’s second try within minutes. Hinckley continued to dominate the play and just before half time, a good run by McLeish passing to Mechin and on down the line to Whitehurst set up another corner score. Half time score Hinckley 17 - Coalville 0
The second half saw Hinckley change half of their team, which took a time to settle and Coalville took advantage of this, as play seemed to be going their way, which eventually led to their getting their first try which was then converted. Hinckley held on with some great defence and managed to stop Coalville scoring their second try in the dying minutes of the game. Hinckley maintained their unbeaten record with a good game in terrible conditions. Full time score Hinckley 17 - Coalville 7.

Hinckley Under 14’s, sponsored by Williams Recycling, fielded a Development side against Coalville, and went behind early on by two scores. Hinckley regrouped and started their fight back with a breakaway score by Cull, converted by Harris-Ensor. Hinckley always threatened to close the gap further, however with the wind behind them in the second half, Coalville pushed ahead stretching their lead. The Development team finished strongly, with a great pick and Run by No.8 Davidson, who gained 20m before popping a pass to West to complete the job. Harries-Ensor neatly converted into the strong wind. Final score Coalville 30 – Hinckley Development 14. Man of the Match was awarded to Harvey for his commitment in the rucks and mauls, whilst Chamberlain’s wing and centre performances earned a special coach’s mention.

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 07920 830515