Date of release: Sun 2nd March 2008

“Minis vs Melton as Juniors overcome Earlsdon and Daventry”

The Under 7’s sponsored by Hinckley Round entertained Melton Mowbray RFC. Playing in dry conditions with the ground firm under foot, the favourable conditions gave rise to the belief that we would see a morning of high scoring games and the watching crowd were not disappointed.
Hinckley yet again fielded two teams, The Lions and The Tigers, with The Tigers taking to the field first. Having played Melton earlier in the season, Hinckley knew they faced a tricky team full of fast runners and intended to meet them head on. First half tries from Sharkey, Upton and England however were not enough to prevent a 30-15 deficit at the turnaround. The second half saw five further tries from Sharkey and two from Payne leading to a narrow 60 points to 50 defeat at the final whistle.
Could The Lions fare any better against Melton? Assisted by five tries from Goldby and four from Hall-Crowfoot, The Lions manage to secure the second match by 45 points to 35 in another exciting game.
The final match saw The Tigers playing the first half of the game and The Lions, the second. The Tigers managed five first half tries courtesy of Sharkey (four) and Payne (one) and went into the break 30-25 down. The Lions managed six tries in the second half with two from Hall-Crowfoot and single additions from Thorpe, Goldby, Nixon and Delo resulted in the honours being shared in a nail-biting 55-55 draw.

Hinckley’s Under 8’s sponsored by O'Hanlon & Skinner, hosted Melton and got off to a shakey start losing the first game against an in form Melton side. Babb scored three for Hinckley with Moore, Roan and Spencer also crossing the line. Hinckley 30 - Melton 65
The second match was much closer with Hinckley holding Melton to a 20 all draw at half time. Melton pulled away in the second half to clinch the match. Babb, Cavanagh, Gibson, Jordan, Roan and Spencer all made it onto the score sheet for Hinckley. Hinckley 30 Melton 65
Both teams fought hard in the final game with Melton again taking the win by a smaller margin. Jordan and Spencer scored two each with the remaining tries coming from Babb and Rickels. Hinckley 30 - Melton 45
Hinckley’s Player of the Month for February was jointly awarded to Cavanagh and Spencer. R Gummery was awarded Most Improved Player.

Hinckley Under 9's sponsored by Bronx UK and Kobs-4-U were back on track this morning against Melton Mowbray. Almost for the first time this season, Hinckley employed an expansive game with much enterprising back play, great handling and off loading, resulting more often than not in tries.
In their first game, Hinckley powered ahead Hinckley 20 – Melton 0 through scores by Davis, Sharkey (2) and Pope.
The tables were reversed in the second game Hinckley 0 - Melton 20.
Hinckley recovered in their third game Hinckley 25 - Melton 10, Scorers were Miller, Davis, Sharkey (2), and Raine
A stalemate resulted in the last game Hinckley 10 - Melton 10, despite score by Bower and Hubbard.
February trophies were presented to Most Improved Player Matthew Gretton, and Player of the Month George Heath

Hinckley Under 10’s sponsored by AMG, Thermoskin and 600 Services played Bees and Hornets squads against Melton.
Bees were under pressure from the off and at half time Melton had taken a commanding 15 – 0 lead. Bees held their own after half time but could not convert this into points to leave the final score 15 - 0. Man of the match was Houghton and Tackler of the match was Baker. Bees second match was a much closer affair but they just didn’t get the run of the ball with the final score 10 – 0 to Melton. Man of the match was Bevan and Tackler of the match was Stretton.
Hornets try of the season came from Matt Ward who ran from well inside his own half and weaved his way past almost every Melton player to score a very special try. Melton then took control of the match to win 15 - 5. Man of the match was Ward and Tackler of the match was Hipwell. Hornets second match saw some great play from Hinckley with every player making a contribution, but Melton scored the decisive try to win the match 5 - 0. Man of the match was Downes and Tackler of the match was Haffner-Dawe.
In the Trophy Sunday awards Player of the month was awarded to Callum Stretton and Most improved player was Jack Higginson.

Hinckley Under 11’s, sponsored by TMS Volvo and J&H Construction met with a very organised Melton Mowbray side. Hinckley won the ball against the head, in a scrum, releasing Ruskin who ran half the length of the pitch to claim the first try followed by his own conversion. Melton stepped up the pressure and with a number of phases of play, a quick interception by Melton saw them equalise the score and conversion. With little time left in the first half, Hinckley secured the ball quickly enabling them to score their second try by Atkinson which was converted by Ruskin just before half time, score Hinckley 14 - Melton 7. The second half saw Melton up their game, but a quick ball out of a maul was passed to Atkinson who went over the line to score. Ruskin took the conversion. An evenly contested second half with good forward play from both sides left the final score Hinckley 21 - Melton 7. Man of the Match went to Nixon for his committed running and tackling.

A Development game followed with some players taking new positions. It was a very closely contested 1st half with Melton scoring a try following a short line out. The second half saw Hinckley determined to come back and following two rolling mauls Ruskin scored a try and then took the conversion to leave the match a 7 – 7 draw. Man of the Match went to Atkinson for his running and tackling.
After the match Polly Tuilagi made the announcement that this was Freddy’s last game for the Under 11’s as they are returning to Samoa. Polly thanked the coaches for their tireless mentoring and friendship and will be watching the team’s progress from afar, hoping to see some of the team faces playing for the Tigers in years to come…

Hinckley Under 13’s sponsored by J.C.Remedials & Stoney Stanton Fish & Chip Shop, were back to winning form today against Earlsdon RFC.
Hinckley couldn’t have wished for a better start in their game against Earlsdon. From the start, Hinckley took the advantage and with a run from Mechin who passed onto Mcleish, then onto Smalley and into the maul. Quick ball from Weddle set up Whitehurst to crash over the line for the first points of the game for Hinckley. A line out win by the Hinckley forwards released Gibson on the wing, but he was eventually forced into touch. Another lineout steal and quick ball again to Mechin to go over to score for Hinckley’s second. From the restart Mechin caught the ball and ran and weaved his way through the opposition to score Hinckley’s third try of the game, this time Hinckley took maximum points with the conversion from Smalley. Just before half-time Hinckley forwards worked hard to win possession and with good passing skills, released Steptoe who went on to score, converted by Smalley. Half time score Hinckley 24 - Earlsdon 0.
The second half started really well for the Hinckley lads, the wind now behind them and they were also down hill. Early ball from the scrum enabled Steptoe to go over the line for Hinckley’s 5th try of the game. Hinckley continued to dominate the play and territory for the rest of the game, with good skills and quick recycled ball continuing to drive forward providing another try from Smalley who went on to convert for maximum points. Earlsdon didn’t give up and fought back but a great tackle from McMurran stopped the home side scoring. Earlsdon continued to attack in the last minutes of the game and were rewarded with a well-deserved try in the corner. Final score Hinckley 36 - Earlsdon 5.

The Williams Recycling and Promet Steel sponsored Under 14’s travelled to Daventry this weekend, with both teams starting strongly, and Daventry looking dangerous on the break. Good back line and support play by Hinckley stretched Daventry’s defences, enabling a break by Hinckley’s Simpson who went on to open the scoring. As Hinckley opened up with waves of back-line attacks, Hudson followed with another fine score finishing off some good support play. The second half again saw Hinckley’s forwards assert themselves, with Bresland finishing off a powerful forwards drive, converted by Cull, who went on to break through Daventry’s defences, and set off on a blistering run and final score, Daventry 0 – Hinckley 22. An all-round good team performance by the Hinckley squad, with Hudson picking up Man of the Match, with Harris and Geary deserving a well-done for their committed play and great tackling, given their recent signing up to the squad.

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