Following on from the play-off win on Saturday Hinckley completed the season with the county cup final against Melton Mowbray, winners of Midlands 2 East North. The squad was all change from Saturday – only 6 starters from Saturday began the game (Steve Harvey, Matthew Fearn, Callum Dacey, Mark Lord, Mitch Lamb and Joe Glover), but even sorting this was chaotic. Captain Alex Salt, who was due to start in place of Fearn was stuck in traffic along with fellow starters Phil Macqueen (who was due to start for Harvey), Richard Harris (who would have been in for Dacey) and George Marsden (who would have been in for Glover). Glover himself was only pulled to the bench at the last minute before then having to start when the above players didn’t arrive until the kick off.

The squad was filled with players who have been part of a successful 2nd XV squad this year, and everyone involved was given a minimum of 35 minutes to show how far they have come across the season.

To the game – Melton scored first with a penalty before Glover was put into score by Lamb down the left hand side on 16 minutes to give Hinckley a 5 – 3 lead. Following this score the 4 starters stuck in traffic took to the field to show what they could do, and before half time Mark Lord exchanged penalties with his opposite number to lead to score being 8 – 6 at half time.

Further changes were made soon after half time, with Alex Branson, Conor Steptoe, Jack Percival and James Squires taking the field – Percival and Squires making competitive first team debuts and despite having less than 10 first team appearances between the four of them, all did well.

Melton kicked a third penalty early in the second half, before Lord went over from close range. He was however injured in the act of scoring, meaning Richard Harris kicked the conversion. Glover, who by now had returned to the field then swapped penalties with his opposite number before Melton scored in the right hand side, before kicking a penalty with the last play to win the game.

It was certainly disappointing not to win the game, and Melton should be congratulated, but this experimental Hinckley side will take a lot from the fixture, standing them in good stead for the 16/17 season.

Hinckley: Glover, Dacey, Lamb, Bryant, Weddle, Lord, Hilyer, Harvey, Warren, Bartlett, Sanderson, Marshall, Fearn ©, M Walker, H Marsden. Reps (all used): Macqueen, Squires, Percival, Steptoe, Branson, Salt, G Marsden, Harris