Any neutral rugby follower looking for entertainment would do well to consider attending Hinckley’s next few games given recent history. After last week’s last-minute heartbreak against Clifton, Hinckley just edged out a tough, very physical Cinderford side with a last minute try of their own in what was another pulsating end-to end encounter in which the lead changed hands no less than five times, and the result remained in doubt right up until the referee blew for time. It was not a match for those of a nervous disposition.

The bonus-point win lifts Hinckley to ninth in the table and did much to ease any lingering fears of relegation. It would be foolish to say that Hornets are ‘safe’ with nine games still to play, but the possibility of slipping back into relegation trouble now seems remote, and, with four out of the next five fixtures being against sides beneath them they have a real opportunity to climb into the top half of the division. The other of those five fixtures is next week against Cambourne whose victory over Clifton on Saturday has further consolidated their position as champions elect. Hinckley can though go into the game with a degree of confidence not seen at Leicester Road for some weeks and are more than capable of upsetting the league leaders.

Defence coach Ben Avent, speaking after the game, was clearly delighted with the result. ‘Cinderford is one of the toughest places to go to in this league, so to come away with a win speaks volumes about the character and resilience of this group.’

‘We knew we had to front up physically, and the way the boys put their bodies on the line in defence was outstanding. That kind of defensive effort wins you games, and today was proof of that.’

‘We will take a lot of confidence from this. We'll recover, regroup and continue to work hard this week in preparation for another tough challenge against Camborne on Saturday.’

Hinckley had been badly out-muscled in the encounter at Leicester Road earlier in the season and it was very apparent from the off that Cinderford’s game plan was to take on their opponents up front.

But it was Hornets who drew first blood after just four minutes. From a Hinckley line-out on the Cinderford 22m, some lovely interplay put Sam Read through in space. He was hauled down just short but the pack were able to take it on from there and Josh Kent eventually got over under the posts and Rory Vowles converted.

The lead did not last long, however. A penalty line-out 10m from the Hinckley line was taken cleanly and the drive set up. That went down but a series of pick and drives made progress and when the ball was released, centre Tom Samak went over for the try. Reece Bougton converted to level the scores.

Five minutes later, Cinderford muscled over for a try after a foolish late tackle by Read had given Boughton the opportunity to set up a short line-out deep in the Hinckley 22m. The first attempt was illegally pulled down by Hinckley but there was no mistake with the second, hooker Nathan Taylor coming up with the ball, and Boughton again added the extras.

At that point, 14-7 down after 15 minutes, things were looking ominous for the Leicester Road men. The Hinckley scrum was under severe pressure and the defensive line was having to absorb a good deal of pressure from the pounding of the Cinderford pack. But absorb it they did and just after the half hour were rewarded with an equalising score. Man of the match Ben Pointon broke from a Hinckley line-out just inside the Hinckley half, made good ground and chipped ahead. The ball bounced kindly for the chasing Ali Reed who collected and ran in under the posts. Vowles again converted.

And on the cusp of half-time, Hornets snatched the lead. A penalty line-out 10m from the Cinderford line set up a series of pick and drives for the line, all of which were resisted until Pointon spotted a gap, sold a dummy, and wriggled his way through. Vowles converted and the referee blew for the break.

The hosts struck first after the break catching the Hinckley defence napping with a quick throw to the front of a penalty line-out on the Hinckley 22m that was returned to the thrower Taylor who had a clear run to the line.

At 19-21 with 35 to play, it was anyone’s game and Cinderford regained the lead just five minutes later through Samak after Hinckley had failed to deal with an optimistic hack through the line and Samak had dribbled over and dropped on the ball for the score.

The introduction of Dale Bowyer immediately after that score at last gave Hinckley some stability in the scrum where they had been badly exposed to that point, and it was a penalty won at the scrum on the Cinderford 10m line that led directly to Hinckley’s next score. Vowles kicked to 15m and an outstanding catch and drive saw the ball carried to the line with Bowyer claiming the score and the bonus point.

That was 26 apiece with 11 minutes remaining but when Boughton slotted an easy penalty from under the posts with just five minutes remaining it looked likely that Hinckley were to be the nearly men for the second week running. It wasn’t to be.

Cinderford dropped the restart to give Hinckley a scrum. The scrum was solid and Hornets set up a last assault on the Cinderford line. The chance looked to have gone when Sam Greening was stripped of the ball but a dreadful defensive kick out gave Matt Guilfoyle a chance to run back. The run had a rather bizarre feeling to it as Guilfoyle ran almost the full width of the pitch to attack the opposite wing but when the ball came back the other way Callum Dacey was able to force his way over for what proved the winning score.

The last minute was a frantic affair as Cinderford desperately sought a score but Hinckley held out to claim a famous victory.

Nick Robinson