Hinckley implode in second half capitulation on trip to Devon

Barnstaple 52 Hinckley 29 National League 2 West

- Nick Robinson

HINCKLEY have slipped to second from bottom in the league after a second half collapse against Barnstaple in north Devon, writes Nick Robinson.

The Hornets had been hoping to inject a little momentum into their campaign against a side whom they have traditionally beaten.

But it proved another major disappointment for the Leicester Road men, with the victory taking Barnstaple up to second in the table.

Yet at halftime, it seemed Hinckley were on the verge of a first away victory of the season, having snatched a 17-22 lead in the face of a howling gale.

With the wind behind them and a lead to build on, most in the crowd expected Hornets to cruise to a comfortable victory.

But for the second week in succession, despite Storm Amy giving the visitors every assistance, Hinckley surrendered a halftime lead to a side they had more than matched in the first period.

Whereas the previous week they went down fighting against a better side, this time it looked more like an abject capitulation as they conceded 35 unanswered points to a penalty to put Lions 10-7 up.

Norman's second try and a score from scrumhalf Simon Broad pushed the visitors back ahead but Lions took a slender lead into the break thanks to a converted try by winger Joey Patrick score and another Bouchier penalty.

In the second half, Rotherham had all the territory and Broad dived over from close range for his second try.

Again the Lions regained the lead through a close range try by debutant prop Bronson Mellowes.