Clifton just edged out a resurgent Hinckley with a converted try from the last move of what proved a pulsating encounter at Station Road on Saturday. It was a heartbreaking end for the Hornets who, with six minutes left on the clock, were nine points to the good and seemingly in control of the game. But two scrums lost against the head, some poor game management, and a Clifton side determined to hold onto their winning streak combined to deny Hinckley what would have been a famous victory and sent shockwaves through the division.

In fairness, most Hinckley supporters before the game would have settled for two points against a side who have now won their last 11 games and climbed to the summit of the division after a shaky start to their season. Indeed, the title now seems to be a two-horse race between Clifton and Cambourne, but the Hinckley support attending the game will have come away deeply frustrated from a game which Hinckley seemed to have in the bag with five minute to go. That said, this Hinckley side is unrecognisable from that which took the field at the start of the season and, as they proved on Saturday, a match for anyone in the division. That, at least, is some consolation for the defeat.

Defence coach Ben Avent was clearly disappointed after the game but full of praise for his men. ‘The lads delivered a spirited performance today though, ultimately, fell short in the dying moments of the game. Despite the loss, the performance was testament to Hinckley's work rate, resilience and growth as a team this season.’

‘At times the defensive effort was fantastic with all 20 players putting their bodies on the line for the cause alongside some fantastic attacking Rugby that resulted in some excellent tries.’

‘However, too many moments of ill-discipline and a number of individual errors proved costly. These are areas that we will be working hard to put right in the coming weeks.’

Hinckley came roaring out of the blocks and were ahead inside two minutes after Rory Vowles had slotted a penalty from in front of the posts but as the Lavender and Blacks settled, Hornets found themselves under pressure.

Clifton took the lead on 8 minutes after working their way down the field from a line-out on halfway to give lock Toby Hutchinson the opportunity to go over out wide. Fly-half Ollie Millner converted, and things looked ominous for the Leicester Road men when Clifton added a second try on the quarter hour after Hornets had failed to control their own scrum 5m from their line and Clifton scrum half Mitchell Spencer had picked up and fallen over the line for the try. Millner again converted to make it 14-3 in favour of the home side.

At that point, Hinckley were struggling to secure any meaningful possession and their propensity to cough up penalties was again costing them dearly. That, coupled with some fast direct play from the home side that ably demonstrated why they are promotion contenders, strongly suggested that the only outcome would be a home win.

It was something of a surprise therefore that Hinckley seized the next score and a delightful score it was. Ben Pointon did well to take a high ball on halfway under pressure and make ground deep into the Clifton half. The ball was quickly sent wide to the opposite side of the field where Rafe Witheat beat several men from the 22m line to go over for an outstanding individual try. Vowles couldn’t make the extras but Hornets were back in touch.

The rest of the half undoubtedly belonged to Clifton but resolute defence from Hornets just about kept them in the game and no further points were conceded. 14-8 at half-time was a good score for Hinckley but there was every reason for the Clifton faithful to be confident that their side would pull away in the second period.

That did not happen! Instead, Hinckley took the lead after just four minutes of the half. Hinckley secured possession from their line-out just inside the Clifton half and patiently worked their way into the Clifton 22m and an outrageous reverse pass from Vowles found Pointon in space to go for the line. He drew the defence and popped the ball up for Billy Pasco to go over for the touch-down. Vowles added the extras and Hinckley were ahead.

Clifton did reclaim the lead ten minutes later when a break through the centre on halfway was finished off in style by wing Alex Kilbane (and converted by Millner) but Hinckley were beginning but seize the ascendancy. Their discipline was noticeably improved and with more possession they began to play with much greater freedom.

A break from Pointon on halfway carried him to the Clifton 22m and, a couple of phases later, Witheat found himself 15m out with an open field ahead. It was a foregone conclusion.

However, Matt Guilfoyle butchered an attempted catch from the restart to give Clifton a scrum from which flanker Jay Evans forced his way over and Millner converted to extend the Clifton advantage.

It could have been a crushing blow but four minutes later, Hinckley closed the gap to a single point. A penalty line-out 20m from the Clifton line was driven to 5m and Hinckley pressure eventually yielded a penalty 5m out in front of the posts. Callum Dacey took a quick tap and went under the posts for the try which Vowles converted.

Three minutes later they were in front. From the restart, the ball was worked up the field with some delightful handling and Guilfoyle, who had started the move, found himself in space to run for the line. Again, Vowles converted.

A penalty for a tip tackle four minutes later was easily slotted by Vowles and with just ten minutes left on the clock, Hinckley were two scores clear and well on top.

But, with the confidence of a side who knows how to win, Clifton proceeded to snatch the game out of the fire.

Hinckley lost a scrum against the head on halfway and then conceded a penalty 25m out. Millner kicked to 5m and, from the drive, the referee eventually awarded a penalty try and a yellow card for Dacey.

It was nail-biting stuff but when Clifton knocked on at the restart with less than five minute to go, it seemed like Hinckley would hang on. However, for the second time in four minutes Hinckley failed to win their own scrum ball and conceded a penalty. Millner kicked to 10m and Clifton launched a frantic assault on the Hinckley line. With only fourteen defenders, Hinckley almost survived but it was not to be and with time up, full-back Luke Daniels managed to wriggle over in the corner to secure the win. Millner put the icing on the cake with his seventh conversion out of seven. It was gut-wrenching for the visitors but at least Clifton knew that they had been fortunate to get the win.

Nick Robinson