Hornets notched nine tries against winless Devonport to record what was their best win in many months. A brace apiece for Mitch Lamb, Callum Dacey, and Oli Bee, with Nigel Mukerati, Billy Pasco and Murray Davidson also getting in on the act meant a much-needed boost to Hinckley’s previously lamentable points difference and the victory lifted the side into 12th position in the table, one point ahead of Macclesfield who visit Leicester Road in two weeks time.

The win was undoubtedly welcome after the travails of recent weeks and the home support could be forgiven for a little celebration. There were periods, particularly in the first half, when Hinckley looked a class act. Moreover, the vagaries of the fixture list now gives Hornets an opportunity to consolidate over the next few weeks with fixtures against some of the teams in the lower reaches of the division.

In truth though, the margin of victory does hide some alarming issues which will need to be urgently addressed. Once more the line-out, though not an absolute disaster, did not function well, and once more, three of the opposition’s tries came directly from short-range line-outs, with two of those simple catch and drives. In the second half, with ball in hand, Hornets seemed somewhat wasteful of possession, lacking in precision and control to such an extent that, after building a 36-5 lead in the first period, they only just edged the second period by 19-17 and that only because of a last gasp score by Callum Dacey. They also allowed Devonport to register a bonus point that may be important at the end of the season. Devonport never gave up, fighting to the very end, but in reality, they showed little that would suggest that will not be struggling to avoid the drop for the rest of the season. Against stronger sides, Hinckley would have been exposed.

Director of Rugby Chris Campbell enjoyed the win but was also not blind to some of the short-comings shown by his charges. ‘It was great to see us playing with some confidence. The way we attacked in the first half I am confident we would have scored against anyone and when you have had a tough start, as we have, if you can show confidence that’s a sign of real character in the squad. Second half, in that 45 - 65 minutes period the game really fell apart but we managed to bring the attack back in the last 20 minutes. However, I was very disappointed to give them the chance of a point. You never know when things like that will come back to bite you. We now go into a huge run of games. Our next four are against sides from 9 down and so this run will decide what our season will look like.’

Hornets were in the ascendant from the very first minute and it was something of a surprise that it took until the 12th minute for them to register their first points. Both sides were looking to run the ball from the off but it was Hinckley, ably assisted it has to be said by some lamentable kicking from the visitors, who dominated.

The first score came from a Devonport penalty that failed to find touch. Mitch Lamb collected and ran back at the Blues. Several phases later, Lamb was there again to finish off the move out wide after some delightful play.

It was the forwards turn next after Devonport had been caught offside 30m from their own line. Louis Haley kicked to the corner and a well-executed catch and drive saw Oli Bee touch down over the line.

From the restart, Hinckley collected and made ground to the Devonport 22m with Haley and Nigel Mukerati both prominent. The move ended with a Devonport knock-on. Hinckley got the nudge on in the resultant scrum and, when the ball was released, Oli Bee was again on hand to put in the final drive to get over the line. This time Haley, who had a mixed day from the tee but whose kicking out of hand gave Hornets an edge, added the extras to take Hinckley into a 17-0 lead.

That became 24-0 four minutes later after Haley had set up a line-out with a thumping 50-22 kick from inside his own 22m. Hinckley went close from the line-out but did draw another penalty which was kicked to the corner. Devonport held out the catch and drive but Mukerati was able to force his way over when the ball was recycled. Haley again converted and the bonus point was secured.

Devonport who had seen precious little of the ball for much of the first half did then respond. Hinckley were caught offside 35m from their line and the ball was kicked to 15m. The catch and drive was held but the ball was sent down the line and winger George Pooley was able to go over out-wide as Hornets ran out of defenders.

The respite though was a short-lived. Hinckley collected the kick-off and ran the ball back. Several phases later, Murray Davidson found a gap in the defensive line to run through for the try from 20m and when Haley converted it became a 26-point lead.

And there was still time for another. A Hinckley scrum on their 22m drew a penalty. Hinckley opted to run. A delightful chip over the defence just inside the Hinckley half was collected and some good handling eventually saw Lamb go over for his second. The conversion was missed but with a half-time score of 36-5, Hinckley were sitting pretty.

The picture got even better within a minute of the restart. Devon Coulson claimed the ball from the kick-off, made ground and a delightful break from Jamie Dutton ended with Billy Pasco touching down. Haley made it 43-5.

At that point, Hinckley were making hay but for reasons unknown they then began to lose their composure. Devonport were refusing to roll over and got their reward for some feisty play as the third quarter ended with a surprisingly easy short-range catch and drive, Rikki Bentham emerging with the ball. Tom Richards added the extras and three minutes later they added a third try in near identical style with prop James McFarlane this time getting the ball down.

Hinckley did respond when a typical Ben Pointon break from the back of a ruck on halfway almost made the line. He was pulled down short but Callum Dacey was on hand to finish the move and Haley converted.

Devonport though sensed the chance of a bonus point and when Mitch Lamb was carded, harshly it seemed, they took their opportunity with a lovely fluent move from inside their own half which ended with wing Henry Gliddon going over in the corner. There was still just time for Dacey to claim another score out wide with the last move of the match but somehow it felt like Devonport had had the last laugh.

It was though a good win for Hinckley, but sterner tests await.

Nick Robinson