Six-hitting Hinckley turn on the style

By CHRIS CAMPBELL

Hinckley………. 46

Barnstaple……. 13

HINCKLEY put on a magnificent show for a bumper crowd, running in six tries to beat Barnstaple at Leicester Road.

The early exchanges saw both sides landing penalties. Will Topps was first on the board for the visitors after a mistake from the kick-off, which was quickly equalised by Joe Wilson, although Topps restored the lead soon after.

The rest of the first half became a game of chess in poor conditions, but it was Hinckley who managed to use them to their advantage to take a comfortable lead against the wind.

Josh Smith scored from a pick-and-go and then Ben Pointon bagged a superb individual effort from the halfway line. Wilson converted both for a 17-6 lead.

Hinckley were confident going into the second half and this was well justified, with the game managers keeping Barnstaple in their half, while the forward power meant that penalties were plentiful from the whistle of excellent official Pete Connor. The penalties led to two identical scores from catch-and-drives, with Oscar Harper claiming both.

Barnstaple got one back through Jake Childs, but that was as good as is got for the visitors. With time running out Wilson kicked a second penalty, followed by a well read intercept try from winger Euan Kelly.

The game finished with the most understated penalty try you will likely see as, following a loose ball, Mitch Lamb was held back in-goal.