A pulsating match between two well matched sides saw Sedgley Park breach fortress Leicester Road for the first time this season. The result was in doubt until the dying seconds when the Hinckley pack, off the last play of the game, powered over the Sedgley line to ‘score’ what they believed was the match winning try. The referee thought otherwise, however, and ruled the ball had been held up. The celebrations from the Sedgley squad, who became the first team to do the double over the Hornets this season, amply demonstrated just how close the match had been.

For the neutral, this was a game to be savoured, as you would expect from the league’s 2 highest scoring sides. It was Hinckley who dominated early proceedings and after just 8 minutes, Tom Wheatcroft crossed the Tigers line unchallenged when the Sedgley defence eventually opened up after some sustained pressure from the Hinckley pack. Joe Wilson stepped up to add the extras to make it 7-0.

Just 6 minutes later, Sedgley were caught offside on their own 22m line and Wilson again stepped up to convert. Things got better still for the Hornets shortly afterwards when a high tackle resulted in a further penalty just outside the Sedgely 22m and Hinckley elected to set up a catch and drive attempt. The throw missed the target man but good work on the floor led to the Hornets recovering the ball and Wheatcroft slotted a drop goal when the ball was eventually released. 13-0 and the faithful were beginning to feel comfortable.

That feeling was to prove premature as Tigers, denied any significant possession in the first quarter, gradually began to claw their way back into the game. A kick deep into the Hinckley 22m and good follow up work by the Tigers backs forced the Hornets to carry over, presenting the Tigers with a 5m scrum and their first real scoring opportunity. They duly delivered as the Tigers pack drove over in the corner. The conversion was missed but Tigers had opened their account.

On 32 minutes, Hornet’s Jamie Skerrit was yellow carded for killing the ball deep in the Hinckley 22m. Tigers went for the corner to set up the to a catch and drive 5m from the Hinckley line and lock James Llloyd eventually drove over to score. Steve Collins converted to bring Tigers within a point at the break.

An early second half try from Tigers wing Jamie Harrison, who burst out of his own 22m to run the length of the pitch to score under the posts, saw Sedgley take the lead for the first time in the match. Collins converted.

Hornets hit back on 52 minutes when Joe Wilson converted a penalty from the Tigers 22m line after Tigers failed to release, but a second attempt from the half-way line a few minutes later drifted wide to leave Tigers holding a slender 16-19 lead going into the final quarter.

Hornets then squandered a chance to draw level when the referee reversed a penalty on the Sedgley 22m after a bout of ‘handbags’. A further opportunity was wasted when Hinckley were penalised for delaying the throw at a line-out inside the Sedgley 22m and shortly afterwards Tigers took advantage, extending their lead when fly-half Collins ghosted over following a series of pick and drives from a line-out in the Hinckley 22m. At 16-26 with less than 15 to go, it was looking ominous for the Hornets.

And then the fight back! Intense Hinckley pressure eventually resulted in Gaz Turner scoring from a 5m scrum on 76 minutes. Callum Dacey converted.

Hinckley came again and with the Tigers defence looking ragged and time up, Hinckley won a highly kickable penalty. 3 points would have drawn the game but Hornets bravely went for the win. It almost paid off but the referee’s decision left the Hinckley pack desolated.

Defeat saw Hornets drop to second place behind favourites Sale who also have a game in hand. Stourbridge, also with a game in hand, closed to within 2 points of Hinckley. A win in next week’s game at Sheffield Tigers is now critical to set up the biggest game of the season so far when Hornets entertain Sale on Jan 27th. Book it in your diary!

Nick Robinson