But Counties seem to have a real find in Cornwall native Alfie Browning, who after the lights came on at 6.47pm, proceeded to light up the home fans with a snap drop goal amongst defenders off the ruck to put the hosts back in front 6-5.
That made Hunterville lift their intensity as they made hit-up after hit-up towards the line before flanker Hamish McKellar took the last low drive to score, with first-five Tim Haldane converting for 12-6 at the break.
Both teams struggled initially with cohesion under full lights following the resumption, but Hunterville just went back to basics with their hard forward carries, as lock Andrew Howie came off another close-range penalty tap to force the ball down for a try awarded after referee review.
Getting into their groove now, Hunterville trapped Counties in their territory, with fullback Lachy Matthews making a strong run back, and following the breakdown, Nichol was there to snatch it up and barge over for his double and the bonus point.
Counties’ chances weren’t helped by losing lock Adam Chamberlain to the sinbin, and after further big runs by Nichol and Matthews, reserve Jared Topless was on the end of a backline spread to step through defenders and score, Haldane’s kick making the visitors well safe at 29-6.
The game was briefly 14 v 14 as Hunterville reserve Jimmy-James Duncan got a yellow card, but his loose forwards weren’t about to slow up now as Nichol again busted his way through, and from the tryline ruck, No 8 James Brett went blindside to make it a set of tries from the loosies.
Counties deserved better than 34-6 after a hearty effort, and they got it with sustained attack in the final minutes.
Hunterville were again reduced with second-five Connor Walters’ yellow card, and finally at the tryline, Chamberlain redeemed by forcing the ball down, with Browning converting to end the match.
“It’s always a battle out here. I’ve played 16 years out here and today was no different,” said Hunterville coach Greg Parkes about facing the new boys.
“We’ve probably got the edge on fitness and we’ve been concentrating on that and it helped today.
“There’s a lot of good out of today and also a lot of work-ons to do.
“The management team have asked for the senior boys to step up, we’ve got guys like Jamie Brett, Tom Nichol, Hamish McKellar, and Joel Williamson and they’re all into their 30s now and they really stepped up today.”
Wanting a big season with the chance to win the inaugural Peter Rowe Cup at the top of Division 2 before moving into the Championship group midseason, Parkes was happy to get the silverware collecting underway with the Challenge Shield.
“Another part of creating a bit of competitiveness, so pleasing to see.”
Counties coach Sean Edmonds knows building better execution and conditioning will be key after his brand new country team tapered off a little midway through the second half and paid the price.
“Definitely, fitness is a big start. We started three weeks ago, and it’s a telling thing we held them to near equal points at halftime.
“They were just a well-drilled team, been together for a long time, and the base of them is always solid.
“We’ve got a whole new team that’s just come out of the woodwork, and bringing them together is going to take a bit of time.
“Happy with them at this stage. Amazing culture. That’s a big, big thing and they’re always committed.
“But just understanding the game is a total different thing, it’s just development stage.”
