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Under 13 Match Report

SUNDAY 16th December 2007

Hinckley  17pts   v    Lutterworth  21pts     

It had been hoped following last weeks enforced cancellation of the game with Market Harborough that the under 13’s team would relish what would undoubtedly be a physical battle with Hinckley. Unfortunately the unscheduled rest for the Lutterworth boys appeared to have done nothing but take the edge off their game as they struggled to compete with an in form Hinckley Under 13’s aggressive forward game.

Lutterworth were hesitant from the kick off with too many of the forwards standing off and unusually not prepared to mix it with the opposition forwards.  As a result of this we played the majority of the game on the back foot and were allowed little time or space to free the backs to play their usual brand of open flowing rugby. Although on a more positive note the forwards more than held their own in the scrummage area. This was certainly one game when the forwards owed a debt of gratitude to the backs as they not only defended heroically under incessant Hinckley pressure but also scored three individual tries all run in from deep by George Ball.

Despite early Hinckley dominance it appeared that the Lutterworth backs would cope well with the pressure being put on the ball as they moved it well out to George Ball at 13 who sprinted clear to score under the post.  The try was converted by James Gamble to give Lutts a full 7 points. Hinckley then dominated the remainder of the first half and Lutterworth were forced to hold up on their own line on a number of occasions. Most noteably when Ben Gledhill injured ankle ligaments under a pile of Hinckley bodies. Hinckley’s pressure continued however and resulted in a push over try, which was duly converted to give a half time score of Hinckley 7 Lutterworth 7.

The second half started much as the first had ended with Hinckley on the attack and pinning Lutterworth in their own 22.   This was not helped by a number of handling errors as Hinckley pressed the ball giving them a distinct territorial advantage. The pressure was relieved however as the backs found a little space on their own 5 metre line to bravely move the ball across the backs to 13 from where George Ball scored probably the individual try of the season shunning the outside lines to step his way through the centre of the Hinckley pack before sprinting clear scoring under the post.  The try was converted by Ollie Allen.

Almost from the restart George Ball broke the line again to score beneath the posts, this time converted by the new kicking sensation Tom Bingley. Other than one further run by George Ball, when he was harshly penalised for running into the back of his own team mate as a fourth try seemed inevitable, the remainder of the half belonged to Hinckley whose constant pressure brought them two further tries.  The first with the forwards pushing over after valiant defensive work by both our forwards and backs and the second which was hotly disputed following the referee allowing Hinckley to take two consecutive quick penalties from the 5 metre line. Neither of Hinckley’s second half tries were converted to leave the final score of Hinckley 17 Lutterworth 21.

Despite continuing our unbeaten run there was a somewhat deflated feeling amongst the players and coaches as we did not feel we coped as well as we should have done with Hinckley’s style of play which certainly leaves us with room for improvement.