Hinckley RFC extended their home winning run and recorded a second victory over local rivals this season, but Mansfield Towns own unbeaten home record was ended by Swindon.
Hinckley RFC
The Leicester Road side have now won 4 out of 4 home clashes this season and have certainly provided great entertainment, averaging 45 points per home game. Saturday’s game had shades of the close-fought battle with Leicester Lions earlier in the season with Hinckley gaining narrow victories on both occasions.
Alex Salt scored for Hinckley inside 2 minutes converted by Wilson for a 7-0 lead although two penalties quickly reduced the lead. A mistake in the Hinckley midfield then allowed Myles Bean through and score after 18 mins with the conversion missed.
South missed a penalty before they took hold of the game with a try from Adam Nunney, followed by another penalty to South which allowed Aley to kick another 3 points. Things started to then get very concerning for the home side when Wilson was sin-binned just before half-time and another penalty was kicked by Aley to put South 14 up.
However, a key moment of the game came in the last minute of the half when the Hinckley pack were awarded a penalty try for a collapsed maul, meaning the deficit at half time was only 7, with South also losing a player to the bin.
The beginning to the second half would have left both coaching teams pulling their hair out. Sam Driver rose elegantly to claim Joe Glover‘s kick off and ran in unopposed to score after just 6 seconds of the half and Glover converted. However from the resulting kick off Hinckley tried to play from deep, made an error and allowed Bean through for a second try. Just 5 minutes later the lead was Hinckley’s however when Gareth Turner came up with the ball from a maul for the bonus point try, again converted by Glover.
Aley soon after kicked a penalty for a 32-31 South lead at which point everyone caught a breath and the game was played a lot between the 22s. The deciding moment however came with 7 to play – James Martin was held up just short but from the resulting breakdown Callum Dacey burst into the line and stepped two men to score.
Wilson, so reliable all season so far, missed the conversion and a penalty soon after, whilst South also had chances to win the game with Ben Avent sent to the sin bin. South captain Rickie Aley turned down at least two kickable penalties to look for the try which would give the win however it wasn’t to come and Hinckley finished 36-32 winners.
The victory maintained Hinckley’s perfect home record, which they will defend against Sheffield next Saturday.
Mansfield Town FC
Mansfield Town tasted defeat at One Call Stadium for the first time this season as they slipped to a 3-1 loss against Swindon Town this afternoon.
Alfie Potters injury has coincided with back to back defeats and The Stags will be hoping the winger returns soon as goals at either end of the first half had Stags trailing 2-0 at the break. Robins’ midfielder Amine Linganzi put Swindon ahead in the fourth minute, prodding home a Matty Taylor free-kick from near the corner flag.
Striker Jimmy Spencer and winger Alex MacDonald had Mansfield’s best efforts from long range before Swindon doubled their lead in the 44th minute when winger John Goddard converted from close range after good work down the left.
Swindon all but put the game to bed on 53 minutes when striker Luke Norris converted a penalty after he was fouled by right-back Hayden White.
Despite Mansfield’s best efforts, they could only pull one back, as striker Danny Rose hit an impressive volley in the dying embers of the game.
Derby Ladies FC
Derby Ladies did not play at the weekend, however a mid-week fixture saw them visit local rivals Leicester City WomUnfortunately
Unfortunately, Leicester just had a bit too much for The Ewe Rams and ran out 4-0 winners with Sophie Domingo following up her 93rd-minute equaliser in the clash between the two teams 3 weeks ago with a further two goals and an assist for Leigh Dugmore. Kim Farrow rounded off the scoring.
Derby will be looking for an improvement when they meet Bradford in their next match.
We’d also like to extend our congratulation to the club for being shortlisted for the ‘ Club Of The Year ‘ awards for both the prestigious Derby Telegraph Sports Awards and Derby City Sports Awards.