Melton Mowbray Rugby Football Club
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We are a social side running a squad of 20+ players, comprising a mixture of experienced and novice players across all the age groups from 17 to 56. We play 30+ games per year and frequently tour, last year’s tour was to Monza in Italy, whilst his coming season, we hope to go to Lithuania. Due to our association with the under 15s, we are running joint pre season training sessions on Thursday evenings 6-20 to 8pm and on Sundays 10am to noon. We start the new season with a brand new set of kit – shirts, shorts, socks and training tops. We just need players up for a bit of fun and good crack. Current Year Third Team 2007 / 2008 season Nomads captain Graeme Spencer Fixtures
SATURDAY 6th OCTOBER 2007 Melton Nomads 24 Old Newts 3rds 7 Melton continued their winning ways with a win against a useful young Newts side, sprinkled with experienced players. Once again, the Nomads pack were unstoppable and secured virtually all possession at the set pieces and in the loose, allowing backs to run at the opposition from all over the park. O’Brian, making a welcome return to the team at scrum half was a major contributor to the success on the day, combining well with Grant at fly half also returning to the team after 2 years away, to score the 1st try, converted by Grant, after sustained forward pressure in the oppositions 22. Once again, Pawley was at his destructive best combining with Gilbert and the rest of the pack to demonstrate the art of a rolling maul. Time after time the pack advanced up the field 20 – 30 yards at a time to set up the ball for O.Brian. Birch playing out of position in the centres made huge inroads into the Newts defence and Crowe (jun) showed huge potential and speed (almost as fast as his dad!) as he crossed the line to extend the Nomads lead. Grant once again kicked the conversion. Further incursions into the visitor’s territory were stopped by the Newts defence with both wingers Horne and Wass going close and Lobley at full back entering the line at pace on a number of occasions. In a rare lapse of concentration, a fly hack from deep in the Newts territory was seized upon by the visitors and despite a heroic chase by Grant and Crowe resulted in a converted try for the Newts before half time. The 2nd half continued with the Nomads pack dominant, Hazard, Chirico and Gannon repeating their superb form from Italy despite the Newts front row being reinforced by McCarthy, Brough and Middleton (all Melton Vets). Yet another new player, Dixon, combined well with Kerr on the flank and the powerhouse of Watts and Cleathero ensured the scrums and mauls all came the Nomads way, culminating with a pushover try midway through the 2nd half, credited to Pawley and converted by Grant taking his total on the day to 3 conversions and a 1st half penalty. The final minutes of the game saw Melton have to defend against a concerted Newts attack, but the defence ably led by O’Brian rose to the occasion and shut them out. Once again despite numerous changes and new players, the Nomads came away with the well deserved spoils. The team:- Hazard, Chirico, Gannon, Watts, Cleathero, Gilbert, Kerr. Pawley, O’Brian, Grant, Horne, Birch, Crowe(jun), Wass, Lobley, McCarthy, Spencer (capt) NOMADS MONTHLY REPORT – SEPTEMBER 07 Played 2, Lost 2, For 18pts, Against 29pts 1 Birstall 2nds home lost 21 – 13 18 players 2 Stoneygate 2nds away lost 8 – 5 16 players The season has started quite favourably with only the results being somewhat disappointing as both games could have and in reality should have, been won. Already we are suffering from a shortage of backs and have had to make do with forwards in specialised positions. A number of the squad are currently recovering from pre season operations and injuries sustained through the summer. We have three players injured during the games to date, two playing scrum half:- Trevor Ashley dislocated collar bone and torn ligaments Gary Stringer damaged knee, torn ligaments James Thornley damaged knee, re-occurrence of old injury A number of vets and minis coaches have made themselves available and this together with attracting previously retired players and unsuspecting drunks in the bar on a Friday night has helped. Currently 24 different players have played in the two matches. Early indications for the destination of the Nomads tour this year is Lithuania. Stoneygate have toured there in the past few years and I am currently liaising with one of their players. SATURDAY 29th SEPTEMBER 2007 Melton Nomads 46 Aylestone St James 0 Finally, the Nomads got off the mark with a superb win, running in 7 tries in the process over at “Jimmies” In a much changed side from last week’s 29 – 7 loss against Sileby 1sts, and the introduction of 5 new players, the side finally delivered on it’s potential with a performance that brushed aside past shortfalls in the backline. The Nomads pack were dominant in all aspects of the game but especially in the scrums where McCarthy, Hazard and Kerr, making a welcome comeback some 5 years after a horrific work related injury, won all their own ball and the majority of Jimmies allowing Lobley at scrum half to control play and giving Crowe the chance to open the scoring with an amazing run from deep scoring wide out. After a series of drives from Whitehouse, Gilbert and Toone, the resultant penalty was slotted over by Pawley. A further try followed, scored by a swift Bucalossi junior on his debut, converted by Pawley. Jimmies, whilst on the back foot, did not give in and a number of attacks were stopped by determined tackling from Carlick, Bucalossi senior and Botrill, whilst in the loose, Pawley, assisted by Whitehouse and Gilbert, was once again monumental in securing turn over ball. Turning around at half time comfortably in the lead, Melton made a few changes with Spencer dropping into the hooker position, Hazard helping out Jimmies after they lost a prop and Cleathero making his debut at lock. The second half continued much as the first with the Melton pack now including Spencer and Cleathero continuing their dominance in the set pieces leading to a push over try scored and converted by Pawley at no 8. As Jimmies tired, more gaps appeared, allowing the speed of Wass and Bucalossi junior to exploit fully resulting in a further 2 tries for Bucalossi junior, one of which was converted by Pawley. With 15 minutes to go, Melton scored probably one of the best tries seen for a long while. Bucalossi junior caught the ball deep in the Nomads own half, picked up speed and broke out into open play leaving much of Jimmies defence behind in tatters, with 10 metres to go he slipped the ball to Botrill who was stopped by the fullback only for 2nd row Whitehouse on his debut to pick up and score an unconverted try. In the dying minutes, Bucalossi senior got himself on the score sheet with a superb dummy and sprint to the line crossing under the posts for a try converted by Pawley. All in all a superb performance by all and a special thanks to Adrian Hazard for helping out by playing for Jimmies in the 2nd half. The team:- McCarthy, Hazard, Kerr, Gilbert, Whitehouse, Carlick, Toone, Pawley, Lobley, Crowe, Scutter, M. Bucalossi , K. Bucalossi, Wass, Botrill, Cleathero, Spencer (capt) SATURDAY 8th SEPTEMBER 2007 STONEYGATE RFC SECONDS 8 MELTON NOMADS 5 The Nomads away to Stoneygate dominated for much of this game and can be quite disappointed that they came away without the win that they deserved. Fielding a number of players in unfamiliar positions and the introduction of J P Riley, (persuaded after a few drinks the night before to bring his boots!!), the team predominantly comprising forwards, was faced with uncontested scrums due to the opposition being unable to field a recognised front row. Given the strength in the front row, this was quite a blow to the Nomads. Nevertheless, Melton started the game as they had finished the previous week, camped out in the opposition’s half maintaining pressure in the loose and were unfortunate not to open the scoring early in the game. After a superb aggressive start by the Melton’s scrum half Stringer, 15 minutes into the game, he was forced to leave the field with a knee injury allowing Nomad’s skipper Spencer to take his place. From the restart after the injury, Hazard made a powerful run to the line, held up short and popped the ball to Spencer for him to drive over the try line with his first touch of the ball for an unconverted try The remainder of the half saw Melton continue to dominate in the forwards and only desperate defending from Stoneygate prevented Crowe continuing his scoring record. Pawley continued to reign supreme in the loose ably supported by Chirico and Clithero. In the dying minutes of the 1st half, on a rare sortie into Melton territory, Stoneygate came away with a penalty goal for an infringement in loose play. Turning around 5 -3 ahead, Melton continued looking for further points to sew the game up but Stoneygate continued to frustrate the Nomads attack and ran the ball back whenever the opportunity arose. Mid way through the 2nd half, Stoneygate backs broke through the Nomads defence and only desperate tackling by Carlick in the centre prevented an out and out try. Melton were unlucky in that the ball having gone forward in the tackle, missed by the referee, was picked up by the Stoneygate winger and he ran in unopposed to score out wide. Despite this setback, Melton once more dominated the play in their endeavours to re-take the lead. Finally the hard work of the pack, in particular, Gilbert, Hemans and Marman in the open and strong runs from Pawley, Spencer and Lobley from the scrums, enabled Hazard to cross the line for what should have been the winning try only to have the referee, left far back in play, deciding he couldn’t give the try because he didn’t see the touch down. The game ended as it started, with Melton camped out in the home sides 22m area failing to get the winning score. The team:- Clithero, Chirico, Hazard, Gilbert, Marman, Hemans, Lobley, Pawley, Stringer, Crowe (sen), Horne, Carlick, Bucallossi, Riley, Crowe (jun), Spencer (capt) SATURDAY 1st SEPTEMBER 2007 MELTON NOMADS 13 BIRSTALL 2nds 21 The Nomads kicked off the new season with a commendable effort, the eventual scoreline not doing justice. Missing a number of last season’s regulars and with a makeshift backline, Melton went behind to a converted try mid way through the first half against the run of play. In the scrum, the front row of Hazard, Chirico and Spencer, dominated enabling good ball for the backs. However after scrum half Ashley left the field with a broken collar bone, Melton initially struggling to regain shape and let in a further converted try. Stringer on moving to scrum half provided renewed forward momentum and in a period of sustained pressure, Melton were rewarded with a well taken try by Crowe at fly half and a penalty goal from Pawley. Turning around at 14 – 8 down, it seemed that it would only be a matter of time before Melton pulled back the points, the front five taking a number of scrums against the head. Pawley in the loose was a tower of strength and a persistent thorn in Birstall’s side as he rampaged through ruck and maul causing mayhem. Despite every effort from the home side, Melton were continually frustrated by the opposition and referee alike and with two minutes to go Wheatley took the ball from Stringer after a searing run up the field and finally crossed for a try. Unfortunately Horne failed with the conversion and so with seconds only remaining and losing 14 – 13, Melton gathered up from the kick off determined to run in a further score, unfortunately, as time ran out, a desperate chip overhead resulted in Birstall catching and running in a further converted try. Next week, the Nomads are away to Stoneygate 2nds The team: Spencer (capt), Chirico, Hazard, Watts, Gilbert, Bucallossi, Clithero, Pawley, Ashley, Crowe, Horne, Botrill, Stringer, Whitechurch, Thornley, Marman, Wheatley, Davies
2006 / 2007 season Melton Mowbray Nomads Tour Italy
The Nomads (Melton’s 4th team) reinforced with three first team players have just returned after a three day tour to Milan in Northern Italy. Based in Monza, they played two games against Monza and Bergamo, both Clubs putting out their 1st teams.
Before the Monza game, both National Anthems were played and an entertaining game followed watched by a few hundred paying spectators. Against a strong youthful first team squad of some 30 players, the Nomads lost by 22 points to 10, a commendable result especially after the previous days excesses and the warm humid evening.
A live band and disco together with bar b que was laid on by the hosts lasting into the small hours and enjoyed by all. The second game was against Bergamo, who play in a higher division than Monza. The kick off was 4 – 30pm and the temperature in the high 20s. After a superb start by the Nomads resulting in a catch and drive over the line for the first score, Bergamo hit back and for a while the scores remained level, a second try from Bergamo before half time being scant reward for the Melton side’s hard work especially in defence. The second half saw a second Melton try out wide and for a while it looked like a draw was achievable, however, three days of socialising and two hard games in 24 hours took it’s toll and Bergamo scored the winning try to make the final score 17 to 10 to Bergamo. As a result of the tour organised by Nomads Captain Graeme Spencer, Monza hope to return to Melton next year and Graeme hopes he will be taking the present under 14s, who he helps to coach, to Monza next April for a tournament which is to be organised by Monza. Nomads Reunion
Melton Nomads are basically a social side and comprise players from 17 to 56 years old, from experienced players to novices. They play each week during the season and are an ideal stepping stone for anyone who either has never played, not played since school or previously retired players wanting to experience the camaraderie which comes with taking part in team sports. The team is always on the look out for more players no matter what experience you may have, please ring Graeme on Melton 07980 571001 in the first instance or during the season, drop in to the club house on Tuesday or Thursday evenings or turn up on the Saturday; you will be made more than welcome. |
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For more information about the Melton Mowbray Rugby Football Club please send an email to rugby@mmrfc.co.uk Send mail to
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