Hinckley 26: Tries: Joe Glover (18, 38), Penalty Try (47), Scott Hamilton (67); Conversions: Joe Wilson (18, 67);
Leicester Lions 19: Tries: Alex Smit (5), Ed Sumpter (8), Devon Constant (11); Conversions: Harry Key (5, 8);

It was a damp dreary afternoon for the local derby between Hinckley and Leicester Lions. There were the dying rays of the winter sun at the start of the game, but the floodlights were essential for the dark gloomy conditions of the game. Rain during the week and during the game gave the conditions of a slippery ball and the potential of handling errors.
Lions made an enterprising positive start to the game. On 5 minutes, following an early attack into Hinckley territory, Hinckley conceded a penalty. Quick reactions by Lions’ scrum half, Alex Smit, allowed him to dash through the Hinckley defence and go over for a try, converted by Harry Key, to take a 0-7 lead.
On 8 minutes Lions’ second-row, Ed Sumpter, took an interception pass to flat foot the Hinckley defence and race over for Lions’ second try, with Key again adding the conversion, to stretch their lead to 0-14.
From the restart Lions took possession of the Hinckley kick and excellent combined forwards and backs play worked the ball up the pitch for Lions’ flying winger, Devon Constant, to drive over in the corner for Lions’ third try, giving them an impressive 0-19 lead.
Hinckley were not for giving up and on 18 minutes their forward pressure started to tell. Following up driving play, the Hinckley scrum-half, Joe Glover, dashed over for a try, with Joe Wilson adding the conversion and taking the score to 7-19.
On 38 minutes Hinckley’s heavier pack again put Lions under pressure. Hinckley exerted pressure at the rolling maul, and from 10 metres out Glover again took the initiative, nipping over for his second try and closing the gap to 12-19.

Half Time: Hinckley 12 Leicester Lions 19

During the half-time interval the dreariness of the afternoon’s weather was increased by the start of drizzle. Fortunately this only lasted for about 10 minutes.
On 47 minutes Lions’ prop Curtis Weaver was yellow carded.
Hinckley put Lions under pressure for a couple of scrums and eventually pushing Lions back, Lions conceded a penalty try, for the score to close to 19-19.
In the middle of the second half play was well balanced with both sides having opportunities and Lions succeeding in putting some forward pressure on Hinckley.
Towards the end of the game Hinckley’s forward pressure started to tell. On 67 minutes this pressure led to Hinckley forcing their way towards Lions’ line. On the back of the forward pressure Hinckley shipped the ball out to the backs, with Scott Hamilton carving his way through the middle to go over for Hinckley’s fourth try, with Wilson adding the conversion and Hinckley taking the lead 26-19.
In the final minutes of the game both sides had opportunities, but neither side managed to add to their points tally.

Full Time: Hinckley 26 Leicester Lions 19

An electric start by Lions to take a 0-19 lead in the first 11 minutes, but solid forward play by Hinckley brought them back into a well contested local derby, taking the victory and five points.

After the completion of all the weekend’s fixtures, Leicester Lions are in thirteenth position in National League 2 North and Hinckley in third position.

Lions’ head coach, Andy Key, said, “The game had an exciting first fifteen minutes, with a most impressive performance by Lions. Many congratulations to Hinckley for the way they got themselves back into the game with some solid and determined rugby”.

Teams – Order 15-9, 1-8, 16-20
Hinckley: Joe Wilson, James Martin, Scott Hamilton, Mitchell Lamb, Josh Smith, Tom Wheatcroft, Steve Harvey, Luke Coltman, Dave Peck, Ben Marshall, Alex Branson, Oli Povoas, Jamie Skerritt, Gareth Turner
Replacements: Josh Greatrix, Oscar Harper, Henry Povoas, Ben Pointon, Aaron Phillip
Leicester Lions: Alex Wilcockson, Sam Benjamin, Jamel Hamilton, Harry Key, Devon Constant, Max Titchener, Henry Clement, Ben Spokes, Ross Herbert, Curtis Weaver, Ollie Tapscott, Ed Sumpter, Ethan Godefroy, Jonny Murdoch, Dan Martin Replacements: Oli Taylor, Will Roberts, Laurence Warren-West, Aaron Martin, Alex Smit

For further details consult http://www.ncarugby.com