Hinckley's first home fixture in National 2 North, under the eyes of England Head Coach Eddie Jones (there to open the new club house) saw the home side fall to a heavy defeat against Sale F.C, in a game significantly effected by the sending off of Hinckley captain Alex Salt.

With the game at 6 - 3 on 28 minutes with Hinckley having just won a scrum penalty, an area where the home side where dominant, a scuffle broke out between Salt and the visiting scrum half which quickly saw a red card produced by the referee for a head butt.

Hinckley were forced into selecting prop Ewan Bartlett at hooker with Sam Masseralla and Luke Coltman both at weddings, Mark Lord started at fly-half for the first time this year and Tom Sanderson, Huw Marsden and Alex Norris came onto the bench.

The majority of the first half was a very even affair, with the first 30 minutes scoring opportunities all coming through penalty. Sale kicked 2 of their 3 opportunities, whereas Joe Glover converted one, leaving the score at 6 - 3 close to half time. However following Salt's red card, Sale got over the line just before half time to go in 11 - 3 up.

Both kickers exchanged penalties just after half time however from then on it was all Sale, with Hinckley working hard with 14 men to contain the visitors however some the visitors continued to probe and in the end scored 4 second half tries.

A tough day for Hinckley, but difficult days were always to be expected in this year - next week Hinckley are on the road to Wharfedale.