Firsts

Melton kicked off their league season on Saturday with a huge defeat at the hands of a slick Paviors side.

This was despite totally dominating the scrum, most line-outs and having 70 per cent of possession and territory.

But Paviors were electric in the backs and any loose ball or sloppy kicks were returned with interest.

Melton had several golden opportunities to score but could not make it count on the day. The back row of Mark Cox, James Lomas and Adam Lambert worked tirelessly throughout.

Match Report

Hinckley 1st 10pts – Melton 1st 3pts

2nd December 2006

Despite an enormous effort that at times fell literally inches short. Melton succumbed to what seems to be a Hinckley hoodoo. Even those with the longest memories cannot recall beating them at the highest level. That they were denied a try was down to the implacable defence of their hosts, and perhaps over anxiety near Hinckley’s line, which lead, to penalties. Melton’s standard of play however continues to improve and they can be judged unlucky to come away without a least a point.

Playing against the breeze the home side were quick to apply pressure and were rewarded with a try from a catch and drive which was converted. For several minutes the visitors were forced to soak up fierce pressure as the home side sought to increase their advantage. Gradually Melton began to breakout. Eye catching runs from second-row Badham and restored winger Wayne Brookes carried play into the Hinckley 22. Then a run by Middleton in the centre only came to an end when full back Rich Evans was bundled into touch. Melton were certainly creating chances but the only other score of the first half was a penalty goal by Hinckley to give them a half time lead of 10 points to nil.

Once again a half time deficit didn’t look beyond reach. First the illusive Hugh Middleton combined with Watts in an exiting interchange and then an almighty burst by Rich Meakin carried play near to the Hinckley line. This was closely followed by a majestic take at the line-out by Badham and a score looked certain but the Hinckley defence somehow managed to scramble the ball away. Some reward came when fly half Stimpson converted a penalty; Melton‘s bad luck with injuries again took its toll however. Captain Sexton whose tackling had been as fierce as ever in the centre was forced off to be replaced by veteran Pete Wooley and changes were forced in the front-row with the promising David Meakin coming on at prop and White replacing Prior as hooker.

Urged on by scrum half Chris Rose the Melton back row with Raine at No 8 a tower of strength and Lomas back to his best were scrapping for every ball. At last the breakthrough looked to have come as Stimpson looked to have reached for a try. It seemed doubly harsh when his enterprise was penalised for a double movement and the siege was lifted for a time. The fly half was soon involved again when after fielding a difficult ball he returned it with an electrifying run and chip to take play three-quarters of the pitch. Lambert was brought on as a further replacement and pressure continued as Dave Meakin fought to within inches of going over. It had been a magnificent effort, but it was not to be.

Melton: Stapleford, Prior, White, Badham, Martorano, Raine, Lomas, R Meakin Rose, Stimpson, Sexton, Middleton, Brookes Watts, Evans, Subs D Meakin, Wooley, Lambert.

A HANDFUL of outstanding individual performances, three tries, two league points and a vastly improved team performance all served to lift the November gloom as Melton took on old rivals Mansfield.
Games between the two sides have always been abrasive and this one proved to be no exception. The referee was kept busy throughout, dishing out three yellow cards and blowing the whistle as both sides gave away penalties as if Christmas had come a month early. Fortunately Melton’s fly-half Stimpson proved the more reliable kicker and all that divided the two teams at the end was a single penalty.
Playing against the slope and stiff breeze it was obvious that Melton’s defence would be severely tested and so it proved, but centres Warwick and Sexton allowed Mansfield no room. When the Mansfield number eight received 10 minutes in the sin-bin the Melton pack began to dominate loose forward play driving the Mansfield pack backwards in disarray. Unfortunately the situation was soon reversed with the Mansfield player back on and a Melton player off. It was to prove a costly 10 minutes as the restored number eight scored one try and made another.
The game, however, did not look lost, as the Melton pack, with White having an outstanding game at prop and second-row Badham as competitive as ever, were having much the better of things. A penetrating run from winger Chris Williams and a rousing surge from back-row Meakin augured well for the second half. With a full 15 back on the field, Melton comfortably held the balance of play and looked to have scored a try after a 20-metre drive, but the referee was unsighted. Certainly Mansfield’s 12-0 lead at halftime did not look insurmountable.
With wind, slope and near horizontal sun at their backs the home side carried early play into Mansfield’s half, but a further yellow card was to serve as a handicap. The game was to change, however, as Melton put together a purple patch of play. Another rousing drive from a lineout allowed prop James Stapleford to go over. No-one deserved it better than the man who has been the rock of Melton’s pack this season, and with Stimpson adding the conversion, optimism was in the air. Shortly after, he added a further three points from a penalty to reduce the deficit to two.
The home side were now running at the opposition from every opportunity with both second rows making valuable yards, first Badham and then Montorano finding themselves in space, the latter having the presence of mind to time a pass to Watts to perfection. The wingman had plenty to do, but kept his head to hand off an opposing player and go over for his first league try and Melton were in the lead.
Now totally in control a further surge from a lineout of fully 20 metres saw the ever-energetic Meakin cross for the third try, and the added conversion looked to have made the game safe as Mansfield needed at least two scores to win.
That they achieved one is to their credit. As Melton relaxed, a converted try brought the margin down to three points but the final whistle soon followed.

Melton: Stapleford, Prior, White, Badham, Martorano, Raine, Lomas, Meakin, Rose, Stimpson, Sexton, Warwick, Williams, Watts, Middleton. Subs: Osbourne, Evans, Morley.

Melton Mowbray Rugby Football Club

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