Date of release: Sun 20th January 2008

“Mini’s vs. Market Harborough and Vipers”

Hinckley Under 7’s, sponsored by Hinckley Round Table, again turned out in force, forcing the coaches to adopt the two team approach, naming them the Lions and the Tigers.
The first game saw a closely fought contest between Hinckley Lions and Leicester Vipers, resulting in a 35-35 draw. There was an outstanding individual performance from Sharkey who weighed in with 4 tries, other try scorers were England(2) and Delo.
As the rain started to fall, the parents and coaches witnessed another tightly fought game, which concluded in a 30-30 draw between the Hinckley Tigers and Market Harborough. The tries were spread throughout the team with Morrissey scoring two and one a piece for Delo, Goldby, Crowfoot-Hall and Whitehurst.
A repeat of the first game saw the Lions take on the Vipers, unfortunately this time the Vipers came out on top winning 35-45, with Hinckley’s tries from Sharkey(2), Upton(2), Ellershall(2) and England.
The final game saw the Tigers take on Market Harborough again, but a better all round team performance in both defence and attack from the tigers saw off Harborough 40-25. There was an outstanding performance from Crowfoot-Hall who went over the try line four times, with Goldby (2) and Whitehurst (2) also scoring tries.

Hinckley’s Under 8’s sponsored by O'Hanlon & Skinner, had a tough opening game against Market Harborough. Despite some strong defensive play by Hinckley, the power of the Market Harborough side drove them on to victory, winning 45 -25. Babb scored twice for Hinckley with Cavanagh, Jordan and Roan also crossing the line.
The second game against Vipers was a high scoring encounter with a very fast Vipers side, moving the ball at pace. Hinckley lost out in the end despite a Jordan hat trick in the second half. Rickels and B Gummery also scored two each for Hinckley, ending Vipers 55 - Hinckley 35.

Hinckley Under 9’s sponsored by Bronx UK, applied good early pressure from the kick off, but unfortunately Vipers scored a well-taken try against the run of play. However, late in the second half, Heath ran through the Vipers defence to score the equaliser. The second half saw early pressure from Vipers but great defensive work by Hinckley kept them out. Vipers kept Hinckley pinned back in their own half but their defence was tight and the score remained 5 – 5.
In the next match, Market Harborough got off to a flying start with an early try, which seemed to stun Hinckley. Hinckley pressurised but sloppy tackling saw another try conceded. Market Harborough punished Hinckley further with another 2 tries to finish a scoreless game for Hinckley. Hinckley 0 - Market Harborough 20
Vipers were then determined to avenge their earlier draw, and scored 2 good tries to keep Hinckley scoreless for a Vipers 10 Hinckley 0 result.

Hinckley Under 10’s sponsored by AMG, Thermoskin and 600 Services, fielded Bees and Hornets teams this weekend against Vipers and Market Harborough.
Hinckley Bees first match with Vipers was closely contested in an even first half, when Hinckley were held up over the line on 3 occasions. In the second half Baker broke through to score for a well deserved 5-0 victory. Tackler of the Match was Hughes and Man of the Match was Reeves.
Bees second match against Market Harborough started with a number of errors, which let Harborough build up a 15-0 lead. The second half was all Hinckley as they completely turned around the game and after sustained pressure James scored. Hinckley were unlucky not to score more as the match finished 15-5. This was a hugely entertaining game against a very strong Market Harborough side. Tackler of the Match was Stretton and Man of the Match was Ames for great performances in both matches.
Hornets put in an encouraging performance and never gave up against Vipers, but were made to pay dearly for some basic errors. Vipers ended up with a 30-0 victory. Tackler of the Match was Castle and Man of the Match was Higginson for some superb all round play. Ward also put in a great performance in the forwards.

Hinckley Under 11’s, sponsored by TMS Volvo and J&H Construction had a tough test playing Market Harborough. Hinckley were under pressure from the start and went a try down, to a quickly taken tap penalty from a metre out as they were still working out why the penalty had been given. Hinckley fought back strongly with an equalising try, driven across the line by Tuilagi off the back of a series of rucks. Hinckley went behind again after the break, to a quality chip and run with desperate Hinckley hands deemed to have applied insufficient pressure in their home in-goal area before the ball was pounced on by Harborough. With this success, Harborough increased their tactical kicking to great effect and despite great defensive tackling; Hinckley conceded another try just before the end for a final score of Market Harborough 15 - Hinckley 5. Man of the Match was Spencer for committed tackling and positional discipline.

Hinckley Under 12’s sponsored by Nextgen Rigging, opened their weekend’s matches against Market Harborough. Both teams played well in the opening encounters with very good ball handling in spite of the poor conditions, Hinckley broke the dead-lock with an A Holland try to take Hinckley 5 up, this try was to prove crucial, as the lads went into half time with a slender lead. Harborough are a very good side and came out fighting in the second half, only two top draw tackles from scrum half O.Smith prevented them levelling the game, the second of which prevented the Harborough winger from scoring what looked a certainty. From this position the forwards and backs worked together as a team, and through rucking well prevented the main threat of a very well drilled Harborough back line, by denying them possession at the break down. The final whistle saw a hard fought victory to Hinckley’s lads which they thoroughly deserved; Harborough will take their lessons from this game though, and will always be a dangerous side whilst they play such great rugby. Final Score Hinckley 5 – Harborough 0.
Hinckley’s next game was against Vipers who were something of an unknown quantity; the lads however again played very well, the forwards by now have their tails up, and would meet any Vipers attack head on. Good Vipers pressure early on lead to an opportunistic try after Hinckley failed to clear their lines, but this just spurred the lads on to an even greater effort! M.Davis who had a great day all round, quickly replied with a good try of his own after forcing his way through the Vipers defence solo, to give a 5 – 5 score at half time. After the break Vipers who looked to be feeling the effects of two games on “the trot” weakened, Hinckley’s forwards pounced, tries from A.Holland (3) and B.Harkness effectively sealed off the game and made it a very praiseworthy display from the Hinckley lads, every-one there having given their all! Final score Hinckley 25 – Vipers 5.

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