HINCKLEY 36 – 0 LUCTONIANS
VERY HEAVY AND WET, BUT ‘TWAS THE SAME FOR BOTH SIDES
Hinckley RFC vs Luctonians RFC
Saturday 28th February 2026 – Leicester Road
Match Report by Geoff Vickress
The best way to sum up the result would be to say ‘No Luck Lucs’. Despite the efforts of the Black and Whites, they were unable to cross the whitewash and claim any score against what was a very adept home side in Hinckley, who came away with a 36-0 victory.
Early Saturday morning, there was a possibility of the game being off due to heavy rain in the East Midlands, but was declared as playable despite the pitch being very heavy and wet. However it was same for both sides, and the home side will be well pleased to have managed the conditions better than their visitors.
With Lucs sitting second in National League 2 West, and Hinckley third, albeit 15 points behind at start of play but with a game in hand there was a lot to play for, with both sides looking to claim the playoff berth spot behind runaway leaders Camborne.
With this result, the home side now found themselves just 10 points adrift of Luctonians and, with an intriguing home fixture once again, this Saturday against fourth place Taunton Titans, who sit just behind them by 5 points, all was to play for as the league entered its latter stages, Luctonians having a free weekend to lick their wounds.
Hinckley started the stronger, and scored almost at will, racking up a 21-0 lead in the opening 20 minutes. Lucs will rue their error count, with knock-ons and loose play giving the home side opportunities which they capitalised upon. But, despite being behind, they started to dominate and spent large periods of time in the home side’s half. Hinckley however defended superbly well and nullified the Lucs threat and, with some very clever kicking, made Lucs start their attacks from their own half.
But despite plenty of possession in this second twenty minutes of the half, and sterling hard work and graft to get back into the game, they had no luck whatsoever as, even when they did manage to cross the line through Rob Aikman, there was deemed to be a forward pass in the build up. Hinckley rode out the Lucs challenge and managed to bag a further score on half time to go into the sheds leading 28-0.
Half Time Score
Hinckley RFC 28 – 0 Luctonians RFC
Lucs Head Coach, George Thomas made changes just after half time, bringing on a very strong bench to give impetus, but it was to be to no avail as again, despite having large tracts of possession, they conceded a penalty just after the hour, which allowed the home side to increase their lead out to 31-0.
The difficult conditions were draining the players of both sides and it became a test of will, as neither side gave anything away for large periods of play. Hinckley claimed a try score, with almost their only chance of the second period, to lead 36-0.
But Lucs’ luck had deserted them, even after Hinckley had a player yellow carded late on, for a high tackle. A kick pass to the corner saw the ball slither away from the diving Lucs winger and, with the final play, Lucs found themselves under the home side’s posts only to again suffer the ignominy of a yet another handling error, and another lost opportunity.
Full Time Score
Hinckley RFC 36 – 0 Luctonians RFC
Hinckley’s tries scored by Travis Bennett-Allcock (2), Oliver Bee, George Patten and Sam Reid, with Rory Vowles kicking the penalty.
The home side duly celebrated, as they should, but it will have been a subdued coach journey home for the Luctonians as they will look to get back on the winning trail, with another away fixture on the 14th March at Chester, to keep close rivals Hinckley and Taunton in their wake.
Luctonians Man of the Match
James Mear
Picture Credit – David Wild Photography