Euen Holden had to make a couple of changes from his selected side with Tom Howard dropping out of the backs and Bompey Thompson from the forwards, replaced respectively by Morris Hall and Paul Macer.

Melbourne kicked off and immediately put pressure on the Bakewell receivers taking them deep into their own 22, a clearance kick gave Melbourne a lineout on the 22 which they won and drove towards the Bakewell line, Paul Devaney popped to Keir Biggins who forced his way over the line to open the scoring, Holden missed the conversion but a great start for Melbourne 5:0

Bakewell soon settled into their game and it became apparent that their forwards wanted quick ball from the set pieces and from the breakdowns to allow their backs to test the Melbourne defence. Melbourne tried to slow the ball down by putting pressure on the Bakewell scrum and their was also some excellent work by Macer, Smith and Biggins turning ball over at the breakdowns.

Bakewell scored their opening try following an excellent move in the backs creating an overlap and allowing them to cross over the line near the posts, the conversion was good and Bakewell now had the lead 5:7. The game now became a contest of Melbourne's forwards play vs Bakewells back play, Melbourne tried hard to keep possession with their rolling mauls and short drives into the Bakewell defence. Melbourne created some good attacking platforms and there was some good breaks from Holden, Middleton and Stringer.

The penalty count was stacking up against Melbourne allowing Bakewell to clear the ball deep into the Melbourne half, their effective shortened lineout created runners in midfield and with the depth and pace from their centres Bakewell soon increased their lead when they crossed over in the corner, the conversion was missed 5:12. 

Everyone thought Bakewell would increase their lead before half time when their centre was on hand to take the final pass of a well worked move, as he sprinted towards the posts, Ashley Stringer set off in pursuit and produced the tackle of the match to drag the player down backwards over the line and hold the ball up.

Half Time Melbourne 5 Bakewell 12.

Bakewell kicked off the second half, a fine catch and drive took Melbourne out of the 22 and start to attack up the field. It was now Bakewell who were on the receiving end of the referees whistle and Holden kicked Melbourne right up to the Bakewell line. A good lineout and drive towards the line was finished off by Will Judge scoring near to the posts, Holden converted to level the score 12:12

Bakewell took the lead again soon after following a penalty in front of the posts 12:15. Soon after this Ian Lucas left the field and was replaced by Nigel Breakwell. There were 20minutes left and it was becoming obvious that Melbourne were tiring in the heat and Bakewell had another gear and soon started to stretch the Melbourne defence and scored two quick tries both under the posts, both converted 12:29.

Melbourne did rally again and worked their way into good attacking positions but were stopped all to often by the well drilled Bakewell defence. Nathan Goodyear and Bob Stowell replaced Paul Macer and Pop Lakin for the last 5 minutes but were unable to prevent Bakewell from scoring a final try just before the full time whistle to win the game 12:36.

Melbourne finished the game disappointed by the final scoreline but with heads held high that for 60 minutes had given a good Bakewell side a competitive game. The temperature and lack of fitness training during the last month were leading factors to the eventual score.

Congratulations to Bakewell who finished an excellent season as Derbyshire Shield winners aswell as League Champions.