The Under 7’s took 2 squads into the County Cup which was played against Oakham a&b, Oadby Wiggs a&b, Leicester Lions, Lutterworth, Vipers, Ashby a&b, Syston, Melton, Market Bosworth, Loughborough, Leicester Forest and Market Harborough a&b.

Hinckley Wasps first game got under way against Ashby-A in the glorious sunshine. Despite the pitches being the biggest we’ve played on all year, the lads looked ready and a great first try from Baron set them off to a flying start. A lapse in concentration and Ashby had pulled one back. Wasps had to regroup and a storming run & try from Mitchell saw us back in the lead. Kennerson & Thomas with their quick tagging held Ashby at bay and then from a turnover ball we were off again and the try came from excellent support play by Thomas. Into the half it was Wasps 3, Ashby 1.
The second half continued as the first had finished. Tag after tag being taken from the Ashby side and the Wasps defence was strong. A lose ball saw Handford scoop it up and run like the wind for his first try of the day. This was then followed up by Marston’s quick feet. The Wasps defence remained unbroken in the second half.
Final result-Wasps 5, Ashby 1.
Try Scorers, Baron, Marston, Thomas, Handford & Mitchell.

Hinckley Wasps second game against Market Harborough-A looked like we’d fielded a different side!! So many tags where missed, frustrating the players & coaches alike. Having said this we were 2-1 up into the half with trys from Kennerson & Mitchell. The second half saw more of the Wasps we’re used to seeing and the defensive tags & line being held holding off Market Harborough. Great team work and support play resulted in trys for Kennerson & Marston.
Final result-Wasps 4, Market Harborough-A 1
Try Scorers, Kennerson (2), Marston & Mitchell.

Hinckley Wasps third and finally group stage match was against Leicester Forest. Now the weather had turned against us all and the heavens opened!!!!! Leicester Forest had the first attack and despite the pouring rain Wasps held their line and Leicester Forest lost the ball. From deep in his own half, Mitchell took the ball and ran full length of the pitch to score the first try, which would be so important to this result. The rain continued and so did the trys going into the half 4 All. The second half still in the pouring rain saw both teams come out fighting and saw turn over balls for both teams. Despite Handford bagging himself a hat-trick, one of which was a run from their try line and Thomas scoring a try they seemed to think the final score was 8-8 when we had it down as Wasps winning 8-7. Still first Try scored wasps win anyway.
Final Result-Wasps 8, Leicester Forest 8
Try scorers, Handford (4), Baron, Thomas, Beardsworth & Mitchell.

Finishing top of Group 3 took the Wasps into the Semi-Final of the Cup against Lutterworth. By now the rain had slowed down. The Wasps defence seemed strong although tags where slow. Beardsworth coming into his own, put his foot down and got through the Lutterworth defence to score the first try of the match. A pretty even first half all round but Wasps went into the half in the lead 2-1. The second half and all to play for Wasps & Lutterworth seemed evenly matched and it took strong runs to break through the Lutterworth defence which came from Baron & Kennerson and not once but twice from Walton.
Final result Wasps 6, Lutterworth 5
Try Scorers, Walton (2), Baron, Beardsworth, Kennerson & Mitchell.

Cup Final Wasps v Syston. We lost the toss and it was still raining!!!! Could things get any worse? Well in a word, yes, Syston ran straight through the Wasps defence to score the first try. Despite some excellent tagging from the likes of Handford and Kennerson things didn’t seem to be in the Wasps favour. A great run & try from Thomas took us into the half 2-1 down. A stern team talk at the half put the sting back into the Wasps for the second half of a very cold wet final. Marston brought us level with his excellent support play only for the wasps to let it slip again and Syston where back in the lead, 3-2. Both teams now had the Cup in their sights and neither wanting to let it go. Kennerson who’d given his all, all day, ran in another try, bring it back to 3-3. Syston had the ball and Wasps needed to defend if they wanted to lift that Cup and defend they did forcing a knock on. Final play of the game Kennerson past to Thomas who wasn’t going to be stopped this time straight through the Syston defence TRY.
Final score Wasps 4, Syston 3
Try Scorers, Thomas (2), Kennerson & Marston.

County Cup Winners 2012
Squad - Baron, Beardsworth, Chamberlain, Kennerson, Handford, Marston, Mitchell, Schoonen, Thomas & Walton.



Bees Vs Market Harborough:
Storm clouds gathered during the match when Hinckley fell behind three one with Ward providing Hinckley's try. In the second half, Wynne and Warland matched Harborough's further two tries, but the scoreline stayed 5-3 to Harborough when a late Hinckley try was disallowed.

Bees Vs Market Bosworth: Bees came out from behind the clouds of the first match with Wynne and Carey keeping pace with Bosworth. Despite frantic tagging from the Bees at the close of the half, Bosworth clinched a further try. The skies opened as the second half commenced, with Ward getting an early equaliser. Gardiner and Warland provided impressive tagging but couldn’t keep Bosworth from dampening the Bees further. A final consolation try from Gardiner provided the only late sunshine with Bosworth completing a further two tries to win 6-4.

The Bees went in to the pool for the Vase competition.

Ashby Vase Part 1 Some very reluctant boys came out of the shelter to torrential rain, after a largely dry lunchtime exercising thumbs on the DS's. Justin was reluctant for them to go home without a win and inspired the boys to come out fighting. Despite Ashby winning the toss, Simmonds scored the opener for Bees, and Ward added one more with Ashby only making one in reply. Wynne and Simmond's tagging rate warrants a mention closing down Ashby's attack. In the second half Carey, Simmonds and Kew added tries and the final score sheet shows Hinckley winning 6-4. A ray of sunshine?

Ashby Vase Part 2 Bouyed up by Part 1, the Bees came out dripping but smiling for the return match. Ward, Lear and Simmonds put a try each past Ashby before they could find a reply. Simmonds added a fourth to close the half. As the rain stopped and the second half started Warland added a final try to put the vase beyond reach for Ashby. Scorchio!

Vase Winners 2012
Squad - Carey, Caurson, Gardiner, Kew, Lear, McGregor, Simmonds, Ward, Warland & Wynne.


Both teams showed great enthusiasm, determination and bravery, playing in the freezing rain!!! On what must be the biggest pitches we’ve ever played on. You should all be very proud of what you have achieved today, which goes for lads & coaches.

And finally a big Thank you for all the travelling Parents & Grandparents who also stuck it out in the rain to support the whole squad.