Date of release: Sun 20th April 2008

“Silverware collection grows as Under 7’s and Under 9’s are Plate Winners, and Under 17’s win NLD Sevens Trophy”

On a wind swept Sunday Hinckley Under 7’s, sponsored by Hinckley Round Table, persevered to become joint winners of the ‘Complimentary Plate’ trophy at the Leicestershire Tag Tournament. Despite cold and wet conditions Hinckley’s youngsters played with determination and guts.

In the first pool game Hall-Crowfoot opened his score sheet soon followed by fast flowing rugby from Nixon and Ellershaw. In the second pool match against Syston 2, Nixon and Ellershaw, again got on to the score sheet with 2 trys a piece followed by Dalby. In a hard fought play-off’s third game Melton finally came out on top dispute tries from Dalby, Nixon, Hall-Crowfoot and Delo. Through to the semi-final of the complimentary plate saw similar fine performances from all the team with Ellershaw, Delo, Hall-Crowfoot and Dalby all scoring. Finally in a nerve racking final against local rivals Market Bosworth which included scores from Dalby, Nixon, Hall-Crowfoot and Ellershaw it was decided to share the spoils due to a draw. A hard fought but well deserved trophy to add to Hinckley Under 7’s collection.

Hinckley Under 8’s, sponsored by O'Hanlon & Skinner, also travelled to Syston’s Mini festival, and fought hard in a cracking first game losing out by one try in the end. Cavanagh scored four, Jordan three and Babb one. Hinckley 40 - Oadby Wyggs 45.
Hinckley found the rematch slightly harder going losing to Oadby by three tries. Babb and Davies both crossed the line for Hinckley. Hinckley 10 - Oadby Wyggs 25.
Hinckley had a tough final match against Melton in the play-offs with Cavanagh and Davies scoring for Hinckley. Hinckley 10 - Melton Mowbray 45.

Hinckley Under 9’s sponsored by Bronx UK and Kobs-4-U, had a tremendous day, at the Sutton Coldfield Festival, bouncing off their Cup Win at Derby Festival last weekend. Their first match against Silhillians was a close encounter with great defence, but Silhillians had the luck on their side and scored close to full time. Hinckley 0 - Silhillians 5.
The next match saw Hinckley dominate Sutton Tigers pressurising them all the way. Hinckley tackled well and passed the ball out along the line with Brogden and Miller crossing the line. Hinckley 15 - Sutton Tigers 5, with scores by Brogden (2) and Miller.
Hinckley's third match against Wolverhampton saw another gritty performance with Hinckley never giving up. In a very close and equally balanced match, Brogden powered through Wolverhampton to reach the try line. With great supporting play from all of the team, Heath unselfishly passed over to Sharkey for another score on the try line. Hinckley was unlucky not to win this match. Hinckley 20 - Wolverhampton 25, with scores by Sharkey (2) and Brogden (2).
In the Plate Semi-final, a full team rotation final produced a great result and convincing win for Hinckley, with scores by Bower, Brogden (2), and Miller, Hinckley 20 - Silhillians 5.
The final against Sutton Sharks saw Hinckley's hard work come to fruition with another piece of silverware. Hinckley displayed great tackling and passing of the ball along the line with support as usual from all the players, with Sutton Sharks just crossing the line once. Hinckley 25 - Sutton Sharks 5, with scores by Brogden (3), Heath and Sharkey.

Hinckley Under 10’s sponsored by AMG, Thermoskin and 600 Services sent their Bees and Hornets team to Sutton Coldfield Festival.
Hinckley Bees first match was a tough affair with both teams making some big tackles. Lichfield took the lead but Bees came fighting back to equalise through Houghton. Lichfield scored two quick tries to take 15 - 5 lead, but Bees pulled one back through Rowe to give a final score of 15 - 10, Baker was Man of the Match and Tuffin was Tackler of the Match. Bees dominated the next match against Silhillians Ospreys for a convincing 20 – 0 win. 2 tries from an awesome Ames, 1 each from Campbell and Lowndes. Ames was Man of the Match and Lowndes was Tackler of the Match. Bees final match against Old Leamington Panthers was a game of two halves. Panthers dominating the first half and scoring twice to lead at half time 10 - 0. In the second half Bees came fighting back with constant pressure before Baker broke through to release Tufffin for a well deserved try. Bees gave it everything but just came up short to lose 10 – 5. Reeves was Man of the Match and Jackson was Tackler of the Match. Player of the Tournament for his all round effort was awarded to Stretton.
Hinckley Hornets started slowly and lost their first game 20-0 to Old Leamingtonians Leopards. Hughes was outstanding as Man of the Match and Thomas was Tackler of the Match. They picked their game up for the second match against Tamworth to take an early lead with a determined try from Hughes, but eventually went down 5-15. Hipwell was Man of the Match and Croasdale was Tackler of the Match. The third game was a disorganised affair. Hornets made too many mistakes and let their heads drop as they went down 30-0 to Silhillians Falcons. Ward was Man of the Match and Downes was Tackler of the Match. In the final game they showed great character to bounce back to dominate throughout against Sutton Coldfield, which they won 20-0 with tries coming from Padbury, Hughes, Hipwell and Thomas, but it was a great team performance all round. Lauder was Man of the Match and Padbury was Tackler of the Match. Hughes was named Player of the Tournament for a superb display in attack and defence and some bone crunching tackling.

Hinckley Under 11’s, sponsored by TMS Volvo and J&H Construction, travelled to the Sutton Coldfield Festival and took the opportunity to blood some new players in a series of close, hard-fought matches.
Playing in pool 2, Hinckley took on Silhillian Ospreys for their first fixture and with both sides battling hard the match was scoreless until the final minutes when Bowler was able to drive over from a tap penalty to give Hinckley the victory, Ospreys 0 Hinckley 5. Bowler was awarded Man of the Match for a series of textbook quality low tackles on the large Ospreys pack.
Their next match, versus Old Leamingtonians was also scoreless at half time but it was Old Leams who opened the scoring but Bowler was quick to reply with a try of the back of a maul to put Hinckley level. Hinckley 5 Old Leams 5. Debutant Robinson won Man of the Match for playing on the wing like a veteran with several seasons under his belt.
Hinckley’s final pool match was against a strong Sutton Sharks side who drove the ball over in the first half and despite constant pressure, Sharks defending stopped Hinckley getting back on level terms. Hinckley 0 Sharks 5. Man of the Match went to another player making his first appearance, Gilbert, who put in an excellent performance in the second row.
Coming second in their pool, Hinckley were in the Cup semi final against the winners of pool 1, Silhillian Falcons. Falcons were able to bundle the ball over early on to open the scoring and the match then became an even tussle with neither side able to add to the score with strong defending countering powerful driving attacks by both sides. Hinckley’s cup run came to an end with the score Falcons 5 Hinckley 0. Atkinson gained Man of the Match for his efforts to try and break through the Falcons and get Hinckley back into the match.

Hinckley Under 14’s sponsored by Williams Recycling and Promet Steel, faced a tough triangular this weekend, with the ‘B’ team playing some excellent spirited rugby against Belgrave, however despite Harris-Ensor’s score, Belgrave ran out winners 26-5. The Hinckley ‘A’ team faced a strong Paviors side, and Hinckley’s Harris, who has risen through the ranks quickly, managed the only score, in a match, which Hinckley’s players never turned up to. Paviors 45 – Hinckley 5.

Hinckley Under 16’s sponsored by J & H Construction Ltd, played their last regular fixture of the season this weekend, and managed a hard fought win against a very capable Belgrave team. Hinckley scored first after good forward play released the backs and centre Crooks sprinted in. Immediately Hinckley conceded a converted try. The scores remained into the second half when the forwards had a succession of drives and Belgrave transgressed, causing a penalty from which Oglesby scored. Hinckley continued to pressure with excellent loose play and drew the Belgrave defence to release Baxter for a try with Rooney converting. The final try came from hooker Bailey peeling out of the loose and going over in the corner which Oglesby converted. Belgrave 7 - Hinckley 24.

Hinckley Under 17's, sponsored by the Weavers Arms, and Mander Cruickshank Solicitors, stormed to victory in the NLD Sevens hosted by Grimsby RFC. Following an entertaining night on their final tour Hinckley powered to the top of their group with convincing victories over Grimsby, Spalding and Mansfield B. This set up a semi final clash with Newark, which they won 19-5 courtesy of tries from Hyde, List and Tuilagi with Oakes adding two conversions.
The strongly fancied Mansfield A were their opponents in the final and Hinckley took command from the off with ferocious tackling and great passing which eventually allowed Cooke to release Hyde for the first score. Further tries were added by Thorpe, Hyde, and Glover with Oakes adding four conversions for a 20-5 thoroughly deserved win.

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