Hinckley kicked off on a crisp, clear, late November morning and won an early turnover following strong tackles in midfield from Allen, Drakeford and A. Whittingham. The game was evenly matched in the early exchanges until Hinckley won a scrum against the head from which the ball was shipped through the hands of Wainde, Hurley-Smith and Moore. Allen was in support to receive the pass and superbly handed-off his opposite number to power through for Hinckley’s first try. The conversion went wide but Hinckley had gained the early advantage with a 5-0 lead.

Hinckley attacked again following the re-start and were awarded a penalty following a testosterone-fuelled fracas on Melbourne’s 22m line. Hinckley won the resulting line-out from which Allen made another break in midfield but he was held up just short of the try-line. The ball was quickly re-cycled and passed out to Moore who dived over for Hinckley’s second try of the morning. Drakeford split the uprights with the conversion, extending Hinckley’s lead to 12-0.

Melbourne, clearly not used to being on the back foot, launched their first meaningful attack as the game re-commenced and they were rewarded with a penalty on Hinckley’s 22m line. Melbourne used their big, physical forwards in a driving maul from the resulting line-out and, although Hinckley’s defence held firm initially, their big prop plopped over to score a well worked try for the opposition which was converted to reduce the deficit to 12-7.

The game was becoming increasingly physical, and shortly after the game re-commenced, Hinckley were awarded a penalty following a high tackle. Allen was in support to take Hinckley up to Melbourne’s 5m line and the ball was again superbly recycled and fed out to Moore who crossed the line for his second and Hinckley’s fourth try. The conversion was missed but Hinckley now had a well-deserved 24-7 lead.

Hinckley launched their final attack of the first half as Barnes caught the ball from the re-start and galloped into the opposition’s half. Smith was in support to receive the pass, taking the game up to Melbourne’s 22m line, but he was tackled into touch. Melbourne counter-attacked from the line-out but an outstanding steal from Hutton handed possession back to the home side. Surging runs from Duggins, Allen, and Buckler took Hinckley deep into Melbourne’s half, before Hurley-Smith created space with a typically jinking run and popped the ball to L. Whittingham out wide on the right who rounded his opposite number to score another well-worked try in the corner. Drakeford’s conversion fell just short and the referee’s whistle sounded to end a bruising first half, Hinckley holding a commanding 29-7 advantage.

Melbourne kicked-off the second half intent on reducing the deficit, but were soon on the back foot again as Barnes picked up from the base of a scrum on the halfway line and broke down the blind side. Smith was in support to take Hinckley up to Melbourne’s 10m line. The home side maintained the pressure through further runs from L. Whittingham, A. Whittingham and Allen, who was eventually tackled on Melbourne’s 22m line. The ball was re-cycled and shipped out left, Drakeford popping up on the wing to take the pass and sprint through for the opening try of the second half. The conversion drifted wide but Hinckley had extended their lead further to 34-7.

Hinckley brought on a number of replacements, including Jacques, who made an immediate impact with a barn-storming run from the re-start. He appeared to be through for a try but the line judge alleged his foot had brushed the touch-line. Melbourne counter-attacked from the resulting line-out but a stray pass in midfield was brilliantly picked up by Moore who dazzled the opposition’s defence with Strictly Come Dancing style footwork to run in for his hat trick. The conversion was missed but the score line now read Hinckley 39-7 Melbourne.

Hinckley’s 10th and final try came shortly after the game re-commenced, as Jacques received the ball from the kick-off and proceeded to power his way through most of the Melbourne team to score another contender for try of the season under the posts. Allen converted, taking Hinckley past the half century mark, the score now 56-7. Tries from Drakeford, L Whittingham, Tom Allen (3), Ben Moore (3), Sam Jacques & Kurtis Smith.