Date of release: Mon 14th April 2008

“Under 11’s win Challenge Cup at explosive West Coast Festival”

A WW2 German mine washing up on a Somerset beach and being detonated by Royal Navy bomb disposal experts on Saturday set the scene for an explosive weekend as Hinckley Under-11’s, sponsored by TMS Volvo and J&H Construction, arrived on tour at Brean Sands and Weston Super Mare for The West Coast Festival of Rugby.

Hinckley’s matches started on the Saturday against a strong Ealing side. Hinckley couldn’t seem to get their technique or teamwork together for this first match and went down by two tries to nil.

Hinckley were then taken on by their hosts, Weston Super Mare, and were more on the ball this time with Ruskin crossing the whitewash early off a driving maul with support by Campion and Pook. The remainder of the first half was taken up by Hinckley soaking up Weston pressure as they looked for the equaliser. Hinckley went back on the offensive in the second half, Williams scoring with a charge out of a scrum and Atkinson sprinting the length of the pitch for Hinckley’s third. Weston 0 Hinckley 15.

Luctonians were Hinckley’s final opponents for the day and sustained pressure looked to be giving Hinckley the upper hand as Bowler opened the scoring off a series of rucks and mauls, driven over by Brown and Jotham. Hinckley went back to sleep to give Luctonians a soft equaliser at the end of the first half. The second half was all Luc’s pressure and despite fine tackling by Bruce and Holt they were rewarded with the winning try just before full time, Hinckley 5 Luctonians 10.

Hinckley’s first Sunday match was against Hove who had three wins from their previous matches but Hinckley seemed to have found their season form as Spencer and Bromley put Atkinson through to open the scoring. Pressure by Hinckley’s forwards saw a drive over the line and a try awarded to Bowler as he was at the bottom of the pile. Hove came back in the second half with massive determination and proved too strong for Hinckley who took their foot off the gas to let Hove get on the scoreboard and then achieve a last gasp equaliser, Hinckley 10 Hove 10.

Hinckley final pool match was against Blackburn whose previous results were as mixed as Hinckley’s but they caught Hinckley on the back foot to open the scoring. Bowler scrambled an equaliser out of a maul, ably supported by Howkins and Brown. Hinckley were unlucky not to gain the lead as Nixon was penalised for holding when he hit the ground from a half tackle and immediately bounced up again and looked clear through. Blackburn 5 Hinckley 5.

These results put Hinckley into the Challenge Cup final for a rematch with the Luctonians from Herefordshire. Hinckley came out all guns blazing and Ruskin was unlucky not to get an early score in the corner. Hinckley maintained the pressure all through the first half with McMurran using her experience to direct the backs and make the most of every attacking opportunity but were unable to capitalise and score. Tables were turned for the second half as Hinckley were under constant pressure on their own line as Luc’s charged into the Hinckley line time and again looking for a weak point – but there wasn’t one – Hinckley held firm for a sustained and unbelievably bruising period. Hinckley very nearly snatched victory as they broke away and then Coupland ferociously guarded the ball for a long driving maul which seesawed back and forth over Luc’s line but was just unable to ground it through the Luctonian defence. The match of the festival, and possibly the season, for both sides ended in an equitable nil nil draw and the teams agreed to share the impressive trophy.

Hinckley Under-11’s celebrated in the evening with a team barbeque at Pontin’s Brean Sands and enjoying the contents of the trophy!

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