This is best described as a very frustrating way to end 2016. Hinckley once again demonstrated how competitive they can be against the top sides in the league but were unable to come away with the points at Heywood Road.

Although the game wasn't lost in the first 15 minutes, Hinckley were facing an uphill task by going 17-0 down, through a combination of handling errors and too many penalty offences, and at this point, in all honesty it was a struggle to see how the visitors were going to get into the game.

The second twenty minutes was a different story, with Hinckley winning the penalty count, dominating the territory and showing dominant forward play as we'll a season excellent work out wide. This lead to two tries - the first when a cross field kick was finished by Conor Buillivant, the second when a maul was finished by Matt Fearn - both were converted from wide out by Connor Eastgate.

The second half was more cagey - Sale kicked a penalty with 20 to go, and although the visitors spent a good 10 mins in and around the home 22, with Sale also receiving a red card with an elbow to the head, Hinckley just couldn't get over the Line. Then, with the final play and with Jacob Umaga in the sin bin, the home side went over from the final scrum, denying Hinckley any points at all.

The end therefore of an edge of your seat 2016 for Hinckley - 3,076 miles have been travelled seeing a promotion (at the second attempt), 16 games in a new league and rugby which never allows you get bored! The next outing will be at home to Wharfedale on the 7th January, and now time for a rest! Merry Christmas to you all, thank you for your support and see you in 2017.