Hinckley 37 Leicester Lions 34

League Points: 5-2

Hinckley 37: Tries: James Martin (20), Ben Marshall (29), Luke Coltman (52), Joe Wilson (62); Conversions: Joe Wilson (20, 29, 52, 62); Penalties: Joe Wilson (3, 8, 76)

Leicester Lions 34: Tries: Devon Constant (4, 46, 48), Liam Hills (37), James Morgan (66), Alex Smit (72); Conversions: Jon Boden (48, 73);

After last week’s defeat at South Leicester, Lions were looking for a better result against their other local rivals Hinckley. There is keen rivalry between Hinckley, South Leicester and Leicester Lions to be seen as the leading National League 2 North club in Leicestershire.

Hinckley got off to a speedy start with a penalty by No 10 Joe Wilson after 3 minutes.

Lions soon worked the ball out to the wing where Devon Constant went over for a try.

Wilson added his second penalty for Hinckley to restore their lead at 6-5.

Pressure by Hinckley added two tries by James Martin and Ben Marshall, with Wilson adding the conversions.

James Morgan, for Leicester Lions, was yellow carded on 28 minutes for a technical offence.

Lions were keen that the game should not get away from them and at the end of the first half prop Liam Hills drove over for a try making the half-time score 20-10.

Half Time: Hinckley 20 Leicester Lions 10

Lions had a golden patch in the first ten minutes of the second half with Constant crashing over to add two tries in two minutes, with Jon Boden adding a conversion. Lions were back in the lead after 48 minutes, with a 20-22 score. A fine hat-trick of tries by Devon Constant.

Hinckley did not allow Lions to settle in the lead when prop Luke Coltman went over to score a try, with Wilson adding the conversion, making the score 27-22.

On 62 minutes Wilson scored a try for Hinckley, adding the conversion himself, giving Hinckley a commanding 34-22 lead.

Lions were not for giving up easily adding two tries by fullback James Morgan and scrumhalf Alex Smit, with Boden adding a conversion. Less than ten minutes to go and the score was excitingly poised at 34-34.

Wilson, for Hinckley, sealed the result with a penalty in the dying minutes of the game to give Hinckley a 37-34 victory.

Full Time: Hinckley 37 Leicester Lions 34

A good win by Hinckley, with a most reliable kicking performance by Joe Wilson. The second week in a row where the Lions have had a good kicking display by their opposition dictating the game.

Leicester Lions’ head coach, Jack Heald, said that it was a disappointing result but we felt we challenged throughout the game, winning the try count of six tries to four. Hinckley competed well and an impressive kicking display by Joe Wilson gave them victory.

Following this week’s games, Leicester Lions are in fourteenth position in National League 2 North, with Hinckley in a competitive third position.

For further details consult www.ncarugby.org

Mike Howkins, Press Officer and Fourth Official Leicester Lions RFC
mikehowkins@gmail.com