Wow! What a way to end the season at Leicester Road! A beautiful sunny day, a huge crowd enjoying the usual Hinckley hospitality, two sides intent on playing exciting ball-in-hand rugby, and a referee (one of a team of three female officials taking charge of a National League fixture for the first time ever) anxious to enter the spirit delivered a try bonanza that saw Hinckley notch up yet another 50-point score and extend their winning streak to five games. Bizarrely, the win did not mean a change in league position for either side as Hinckley remain in ninth, albeit now just a single point behind the two clubs above them and only six adrift of fourth place Cinderford, and Old Reds in tenth but it was a game of sheer joy that any rugby enthusiast (except perhaps those following Old Reds) would have found delight in watching. Hornets ran in nine tries and were only denied a tenth by a Rafe Witheat foot in touch, while Old Reds ran in four of their own. Hinckley were undoubtedly deserving winners but Red played their part and the quality of rugby on show was deserving of far more than an end of season clash between two mid-table clubs with apparently little to play for.

Man of the match Rory Vowles was at the centre of everything, Devon Coulson was imperious in the line-out, Murray Davidson was everywhere and the pack gradually wore down their opposite numbers in the scrum to achieve absolute dominance by the end of the game but it was really a day to celebrate the team as whole. It was a joy to watch!

Defence coach Ben Avent was clearly impressed, if a little understated. ‘It was great to get the win in the manner that we did, especially in front of the last home crowd of the season. The lads looked dangerous in attack from minute one and scored some great team tries. But it’s back to the drawing board on Tuesday. We’ll be working hard this week in preparation for a big game away at Taunton next Saturday.’

Those late for the start will have been kicking themselves as the fun started early. From the kick-off, Reds fielded the ball in their 22m but an errant pass went to ground and Hornets pounced. A few phases later Oli Bee charged over for the try with Vowles adding the extras.

But two minutes later Reds were back on level terms when a series of penetrating runs, with No. 8 Kasey Pike prominent, eventually saw back-row partner Oliver Stratton go over to score and Ashley Groves converted.

Back came Hinckley! Reds messed up their exit from the kick-off delivering a line-out to Hinckley just inside the Reds’ 22m. Coulson delivered the ball, it went left to Vowles who chipped to the wing. Will Callan collected and touched down out wide for the score. Vowles again converted.

Hinckley again! Nigel Mukerati turned over the ball on the Reds’ 22m, the pressure went on, and Ben Pointon broke from the back of a ruck in typical fashion to scurry over and Vowles added two more. That was 21-7 after just nine minutes. It was breath-taking stuff!

Things quietened down for all of eight minutes until Davidson took the ball from the back of a maul and went for the line. He got close before being hauled down but quick ball was sent right to find Callan who went over for his second. With the bonus point secured inside 20 minutes, Vowles again converted.

Compared to that first quarter, the second might be described as dull. Vowles added a penalty awarded for a high tackle 15m from the Red’s line and from the restart, an overthrown Hinckley line-out was grabbed by Reds and carried to the line. It seemed as if the ball may have been held up but an intervention by the touch judge saw the referee award the score, scrum half om Fogerty getting the credit. It was a rare piece of underwhelming play from Hinckley. Groves made sure he nailed the extras.

That made it 31-14 at half-time. Hinckley were undoubtedly in command but the nature of the two scores from Reds suggested they were not home and dry.

In the end there was little to worry about. Seven minutes in, a Hinckley penalty 10m form the Reds’ line was taken quickly, and Vowles wriggled through. The conversion was missed but four minutes later, another Hinckley penalty 30m from the Reds’ line was kicked to 10m and a perfectly executed catch and drive saw Davidson touching down for the score. This time, Vowles converted and Hinckley were 43-14 up.

Pointon was next up. Hinckley elected to scrum a penalty on the Reds’ 22m and secured another penalty but the scrum half picked up and scampered round from the back for a try by the posts to give Vowles an easy conversion.

That was the half-century but, with the crowd baying for more, it was Reds who scored next from a line-out 30m from the Hinckley line. Tom Hughes romped through for the score with the Hinckley defence seemingly taking a breather.

That sparked a mini-revival from Reds as they sensed the bonus point was there for the taking. They got it but it was a Hinckley error that gifted them the try in the end. A hack through from halfway was touched down behind the line by Callan for the drop-out kick. Rather than kick deep, however, sensing an opportunity, he opted for a short kick looking to recover the ball and set up the attack from deep. It was a nice idea but went hideously wrong. Reds picked up and walked in for the try and the bonus point. It was disappointing but no-one really minded.

That just left time for an outstanding individual effort from Callum Dacey. Breaking the Reds line out wide on halfway he ran the 40m to the line to score under the posts to give Vowles another easy conversion. It was a fitting way to end a brilliant game!

Nick Robinson