No-one could ever suggest that watching Hinckley is boring. Since the turn of the year, Hinckley have amassed 349 points in just eight games (an average of almost 44 per game for the statisticians) and conceded 260 (average almost 33), with ambitious running rugby that is often a delight to watch but which sometimes brings its agonies for their support. At Leicester Road on Saturday, Hornets and Exeter shared 13 tries between them in a game that had it all. Ten points down in the first five minutes, Hinckley then wrested back control with 26 unanswered points to lead 26-10 at the break, only to surrender control of the game to an ever-threatening, Exeter side and give the home support an anxious final eight minutes at the end of the game as Exeter clawed their way back to within one score. Rory Vowles eventually settled the matter with a penalty from the last kick of the game to extend the Hinckley lead to ten points, but it was quite the ride!

The five-point win did not change Hinckley’s league position but they are now on the same number of points as eighth-placed Luctonians and within five of Redruth, (the other) Hornets, and Loughborough with four to play. A top five finish seems unlikely, but with games to come against both Redruth and Luctonians, it is a definite possibility.

To achieve that, however, Hornets will need to address their penalty count. It was way too high on Saturday and arguably kept Exeter in the game. Without the constant stream of possession handed to them by the Leicester Road men, Exeter, who struggled at both at both scrum and line-out but were always dangerous with ball in hand, would not have been able to get as close as they did. It has been something of a recurring theme for the Hinckley men.

Defence Coach Ben Avent had some reservations but overall was delighted with the outcome. ‘We’re really happy to get the win against a spirited Exeter Uni side. We played some great attacking rugby at times. When we kept our shape and moved the ball quickly, we looked really dangerous and scored some excellent tries.’

‘But to be honest, the game was a lot closer than it needed to be. We made too many unforced errors and didn’t manage the game particularly well in key moments. On top of that, we fell off far too many tackles in the last 20 minutes, which allowed them back into the contest more than we’d have liked.’

‘Despite that, massive credit to the lads. As a coaching team, we set them a target of 15 points from the last three games – and they delivered exactly that. It’s a real testament to their attitude, effort, and togetherness.’

Just like last week, it was far from a dream start for Hornets. With just two minutes on the clock a Callum Dacey clearance 10m from his own line was charged down by flanker Elijah Taylor, collected, and carried over the line for the simplest of tries.

Then from the restart, Hinckley recovered the ball but an attempted chip over the top was partially charged down. Exeter recovered the ball and, in a delightful sweeping move, travelled the length of the pitch for winger Isaiah Akpovwa to finish the for a lovely try. Hinckley were rocking on their heels.

But the response came quickly. Murray Davidson got in the way of an Exeter kick on their own 22m, picked up the ball and fed Sam Read 20m out. It was a simple run in for the winger. 5-10 after nine minutes.

Eight minutes later, Rory Vowles initially fumbled a poor pass from Ben Pointon, but recovered the ball to send a staggering 50-22 clearance from just outside his own 22m to within 5m of the Exeter line. The pack then rumbled the ball over from the line-out with nonchalant ease, Jack Hewitt claiming the touchdown. When Vowles added the extras, Hinckley were in front.

Another nine minutes, and another Hinckley score. Vowles set up a short-range line-out 10m out. The drive was held this time, but when Dacey was stopped just short, Pointon picked up and went over for the score, converted by Vowles.

With the interval fast approaching, Hinckley secured a penalty 15m from the Exeter line and opted to scrum. With the Exeter defence expecting a big push, Pointon released the ball quickly and Matt Guilfoyle ran in to claim the score. Vowles converted and when the referee blew of the break, Hinckley went in with a dominant 26-10 lead.

The home support was expecting Hornets to kick on after the break, but instead it was the Students who came out the stronger and claimed the first score with a simple try that suggested that the Hinckley defence had not left the changing room. A short-range catch and drive was initially held but then released and inside centre Frankie Jefferies was able to stroll over for a simple score. Finlay Usher hit his first conversion of the afternoon and what was a commanding position suddenly looked vulnerable.

Hinckley woke up to seize back control on 54 minutes when Nigal Mukerati was on hand to collect the ball and carry over when a great run from a Hinckley scrum on halfway broke down just short. And then, four minutes later, the Exeter pack were put under severe pressure at a scrum 15m out from their line. With the scrum going backwards, the ball was thrown out in a panic and fell to Mitch Lamb who went over for the score. Vowles added the extras and the Hinckley were once again in command.

Exeter though were not lying down and pulled one back from another shortrange catch and drive after Hinckley had been penalised for holding on 35m out from their line. Usher added the conversion to make it 38-26.

It was still a comfortable lead and that was extended further when Jamie Dutton, back after an extended absence, got on the end of a chip through from Dacey just outside the Exeter 22m to go over, with Vowles converting.

Frankly, that should have been it with just 18 minutes left, but a combination of a lack of composure from Hinckley and some enterprising work from the Students conspired to let Exeter back into the game.

A tapped penalty inside the Hinckley 22m was eventually driven over for the try and then a breakaway inside the Exeter half was chipped forward deep into the Hinckley half. A cruel bounce eluded Guilfoyle but fell nicely for Dewi Thomas to collect and run to the line. Usher converted both tries and Exeter were suddenly within a score.

Hornets have in the past panicked in such situations but this time cool heads did prevail and it would have been a travesty if they had not. It was a little nervy but Hinckley just about kept control and when the Hinckley scrum forced a penalty on the Exeter 22m with time almost up, Vowles had no hesitation in taking the kick to play out time. The kick went over and the referee blew for time – Hinckley 48, Exeter 38.

Nick Robinson