Back row: Taylor Davies; Jack Buckley; Will Hatfield; Dan McGhie; Tom Archer; Jack Winterton; Tom Winterton; Sam Bellamy; Jamie King; Tom Allan;
Front row: Matt Goodwin; Ben Wass; Chris Godsmark; Joe Halpin;  Will Grant; Ben Baker; Matthew Howard.

9th March  2008

Sleaford 36  :  7  Melton Mowbray

Melton’s tendency to start slowly cost them dear on a sunny day in Sleaford. Within ten  minutes they were three tries down as a result of casual defence against some large and forceful Sleaford  players. This then settled into a more even match in which Melton carried the battle to the opposition and their forwards in particular showed themselves to be the better unit.

The second quarter of the game saw Melton carry play into the Sleaford half and keep it there. What started as a suspicion that Sleaford might be beatable grew stronger with sustained pressure on the opposition line. Eventually from a five metre scrum the ball was passed to Will Grant playing at fly-half and he beat the cover defence to score close to the posts. Sam Emmett converted. With Melton now applying the pressure and points on the board the first half closed hopefully.

The second half began with Sleaford pressure and an inability in Melton to clear their lines and get the ball upfield. From a five metre scrum Sleaford scored a copy of the Melton try and their three try lead was restored. However much of the rest of the match was played in the Sleaford half with the Melton forwards regularly driving a heavier opposition pack backwards. Melton were carrying the ball well with pick up and drives well executed before the ball was laid back for the three-quarters. A try for Melton looked inevitable but somehow never came.

The last ten minutes were unfortunate for Melton as their ambition to score left them vulnerable to counter-attack. Two break-away tries by Sleaford as the match drew to a close meant that it finished with a score-line which was better than the opening ten minutes had foreshadowed but which did not reflect the account Melton gave of themselves for the rest of the game.

Team: Will Hatfield,  Jamie King,  Tony Woodcock, Jack Winterton,  Tom Winterton,  Jack Buckley, Sam Bellamy,  Zac Copeman, Will Grant, Sam Emmett,  Joe Halpin, Will Lumby. Matt Goodwin, Ben Wass, Chris Godsmark.

Match Report

24th February  2008

Melton Mowbray  5  :  17   Market Harborough

Market Harborough always provide strong opposition and for a while it looked as though Melton might surprise them on a breezy morning.

Melton started rather sleepily when after five minutes they conceded a penalty just outside their twenty-two and then allowed the opposition ball carrier to plough through a number of half-hearted tackles to score under the posts. However that seemed to wake Melton up and a few minutes later a Melton rolling maul took the ball a good twenty metres deep into opposition territory.  A period of sustained pressure followed culminating in a scrum five metres out. A quick heel saw the ball moved into the hands of centre Sam Emmett who was able to draw in tacklers before putting wing Tom Archer over in the corner.

From the re-start Melton again showed good handling with the ball being run out of defence with all the backs involved before a foot in touch deprived Melton of a clear run in. At half-time Melton looked to be on top.

For the second half Melton seemed to draw their inspiration from recent England form. Suddenly things were not gelling in the forwards and passes began to go astray. After ten minutes of Market Harborough pressure they scored a try which was a straight copy of Melton’s. A five metre scrum was won and the ball moved down the line for the winger to score in the corner.

As the half progressed Melton became the team stuck in its own twenty-two with an inability to clear their lines and kick downfield. After a further ten minutes and a series of mauls won by Market Harborough they forced their way over the line for a third try.

Melton were now on the back foot and the remainder of the half was for tackling in which Will Hatfield was to the fore.

Team: Tom Allen, Will Hatfield,  Taylor Davies, Jamie King, Ben Baker, Tony Woodcock, Jack Winterton,  Tom Winterton,  Jack Buckley, Tom Archer,  Joe Halpin, Will Grant,  Sam Bellamy,   Sam Emmett,  Dan McGhie, Will Lumby. Matt Goodwin, Zac Copeman.

MATCH REPORT

27th January 2008

Melton Mowbray  35  :  10   Keyworth

On a windy day which made passing hazardous, Melton did well to run in seven tries in an emphatic win over Keyworth. Melton scored first after ten minutes when an attempted Melton kick for territory was blown sideways and taken by centre Sam Emmett who ran round the cover defence to score in the corner. Two minutes later  Melton again profited from the boot when winger Ben Wass  kicked ahead to the Keyworth line. Indecision on the part of the defence was sufficient to allow fly-half Matt Howard to swoop on the loose ball for try number two.

With confidence growing and the forwards winning good ball against a bigger pack Melton scored again after seventeen minutes. Well won ball at a ruck in the Keyworth half was moved on the blind side to winger Tom Archer whose strong run took him twenty yards through the defence and over the line.

Melton persisted with a handling game and although a number of passes went astray in the wind they looked constantly the more dangerous side. Just before half-time a fourth try effectively sealed the match. A scrum on the Keyworth twenty-two was won by Melton and Matt Howard broke through the defence before off-loading to Ben Wass whose speed took him to the corner.

Keyworth rallied well in the second half but it was still Melton handling better in the wind as was illustrated with try number five. The ball was won in the loose on the left and moved well along the line to Ben Wass on the right wing who scored in the right corner.

Keyworth pulled a try back when they took advantage of a phase of sloppy play by Melton but order was restored three minutes later when second row Jamie King made a long run down the left wing before being forced in to touch. The line out led to a maul from which Jamie King emerged with ball to force his way over from ten metres.

Melton’s final try came when a Keyworth player knocked on in the Melton half and Matt Howard gratefully took the ball and ran in to score from seventy metres.

Melton pressed for more  with hooker Jack Buckley to the fore having made a series of probing runs during the game but the final score went to Keyworth with a strong individual break out of defence.

MATCH REPORT

13th  January 2008

South Leicester  0  :  57  Melton Mowbray

South Leicester suffered the backlash of a Melton team determined to redress the ignominy of the previous week’s poor performance. In cold and windy condition but with a dry ball Melton ran in eleven tries without response. The forwards were rampant winning a consistent stream of good possession; the backs moved the ball well along the line with few dropped passes and some penetrating running.

It took seven minutes for Melton to open the scoring when a forward drive down the left took the ball to within a metre of the South Leicester line from where Jack Winterton was able to pick up and crash over. Three minutes later it was the backs’ turn. Melton forwards won the ball on the opposition twenty-two and the ball was moved smartly through three sets of hands to winger Matt Goodwin who evaded his marker to cross for try number two.

The third try was a real combined effort. Fly-half Matt Howard chipped ahead from the Melton ten metre line and then jumped to take his own kick out of the hands of the opposition full-back. He was able to off-load to the supporting Melton backs and the ball was passed to centre Ben Wass on the wing who was pulled down a metre short of the left corner. The Melton forwards arrived quickly to recycle the ball and send it out to the backs again where No. 8 Tom Allen found himself playing centre with the opposition try line only ten metres away. He ran through the remaining defence to score under the posts.

Having come so close in the last try,  Ben Wass was not to be denied five minutes later. Well won ball was moved along the line and delivered to him on half way. Some strong running down the left wing during which he fought off two tacklers enabled him to score in the corner.

The fifth try came just before half-time. A break down the middle by scrum-half Chris Godsmark took the ball into the opposition twenty-two before he was held up, but with support close at hand the ball was moved left through four sets of hands  to winger Joe Halpin who forced his way over in the corner.

The second half was more of the same. Within four minutes the forwards had taken the ball close the opposition corner flag before winning the resulting ruck. The ball was moved quickly to fly-half Matt Howard whose well-flighted long pass was latched onto by full-back Will Grant coming into the line at speed to split the defence and cross under the posts untouched. The ensuing re-start was taken by Ben Wass on his own twenty-two who set off down the right wing evading all challenges to put down under the posts.

A few moments later a by now disheartened South Leicester kicked to touch. That gave no respite as it was taken quickly by Melton with a short throw to Will Grant who had sixty metres but little opposition between he and the try line which he crossed for try number eight.

From the re-start the ball was kicked by Melton back into the opposition twenty-two where South Leicester were unable to control it before the arrival of chasing Melton backs. Taking possession from a fumble Melton moved the ball to second row Jamie King who scored on the left.

This was now one way traffic. A scrum close to their line was won by South Leicester but as the ball shot out it was grabbed by flanker Taylor Davies who carried over. Tom Allan converted. The last try of the match was a long run down the left wing by second row Jamie King with by now only token attempts at defence from the opposition.

The previous week is now but a distant memory.

Team: Taylor Davies; Jack Buckley; Will Hatfield; Dan McGhie; Tom Archer; Jack Winterton; Tom Winterton; Sam Bellamy; Jamie King; Tom Allan; Matt Goodwin; Ben Wass; Chris Godsmark; Joe Halpin;  Will Grant; Ben Baker; Matthew Howard.

MATCH REPORT

6th January 2008

Melton Mowbray  0  :  63   Nuneaton

Too much Christmas pudding  was still lying in too many Melton stomachs. From the home side’s point of view the best thing about the match was the bright and sunny weather. This was probably the team’s worst performance of the season against opposition who were competent but by no means out of Melton’s league. There was little commitment from the Melton forwards, the backs’ handling was sloppy and tackling was generally lacklustre.

The first half consisted of a procession of seven Nuneaton tries which saw the home side down by thirty-nine points at half time. At that stage the concern was how high the total would go.

The second half at least saw Melton try to fight back. More determination was evident, more tackles were being made and there was more competition for loose ball. Nevertheless even the second half performance was below par albeit that only four tries were conceded.

The less said about this match the better. New Tear’s resolution: remember to turn up for future fixtures.

Team:  Sam Bellamy; Jack Buckley; Jack Winterton; Jamie King; Tom Winterton; Taylor Davies; Matthew Goodwin; Tom Allen; Will Lumby; Ben Baker; Chris Godsmark; Joe Halpin; Sam Emmett; Tom Archer; Dan McGhee; Zac Copeman; Doug Ruddle

MATCH REPORT

9th December  2007

Stamford  0 :  27  Melton Mowbray

A sizzling start to the match by Melton saw them ten points up in the first five minutes, something which connoisseurs of the Melton Under 13’s found unsettling. Usually slow to start, this Melton side had a new look with some regular players being tried in different positions. The experiment showed a swift return. An early ruck in the Stamford twenty-two was won by Melton and the ball moved quickly on the blind side. Good backs passing put the ball into the hands of fly-half Matt Howard a yard out with no defence left for Melton’s first try.

The second try came a couple of minutes later. Melton won a ruck in mid-field and the ball was moved smartly to Sam Emmett playing centre rather than his usual position of flanker. Adapting quickly to this new role, his solo run from half-way saw Melton’s second try.

The rest of the first half consisted of sustained Melton pressure with most of the match being played in Stamford’s half. Although the Melton line was never really threatened it was evident that a number of the positional changes were taking time to bed in and at the turn around there was a feeling that the failure to score more points was a worry.

The second half saw the Melton team enjoying themselves. Whilst Stamford had some large players in the scrum it was the Melton forwards who were winning a solid stream of possession. The Stamford pack was being driven backwards in set pieces and in the loose with increasing reliance on their fly-half to kick them out of trouble. However with the Stamford half-backs relying on scraps it was no surprise when Melton No. 8 Tom Allen charged down an attempted clearance and was able also to secure the ball and carry over for Melton’s third try.

By now Melton were effectively camped in the Stamford half. A Melton passing movement appeared to break down under Stamford tackling only for the ball to be quickly re-cycled and moved into the hands of Sam Emmett on the Stamford twenty-two. He was able to round the remaining Stamford defence and cross for Melton’s fourth try wide on the left.

Stamford kept battling away and with five minutes to go worked themselves to the Melton twenty-two before loosing the ball in the loose. It was moved promptly by Melton to fly-half Matt Howard who broke through the Stamford defensive line and accelerated away to run in unchallenged under the posts before kicking the conversion.

With the match coming to an end it was really only a question of whether Melton would score another. But Stamford never buckled and stout defence meant that a number of promising Melton moves were ended just short of the line.
A very satisfying performance by Melton Under 13s.

Team:  Tom Allen, Will Hatfield,  Taylor Davies, Jamie King, Matt Howard, Ben Baker, Tony Woodcock, Jack Winterton,  Tom Winterton,  Tom Archer,  Joe Halpin, Will Grant, Chris Godsmark,  Sam Bellamy,   Sam Emmett, Ben Wass.

MATCH REPORT

25th  November 2007

Counties Cup

Syston 24 :  12  Melton Mowbray

A great match for spectators, this was a see-saw game the result of which was in the balance until the very end. The first round of the Counties Cup pitched arch-rivals Syston and Melton against each other on a breezy Sunday morning where conditions were generally ripe for rugby.

The match started well for Melton when, after three minutes, they took a set scrum against the head. Fly half Matt Howard broke the defensive line before releasing centre Will Grant who still had some work to do from 20 metres out before crossing for the game’s first score.

Thus stung, Syston began to apply the pressure and increasing periods were played in the Melton 22 not least because the stiff breeze made it difficult for Melton to clear their lines. In the end the Syston pressure told with a forward try about 5 minutes before half-time. At the turn around the score was still even.

In the second half Melton made far better use of the breeze than Syston had done with sustained periods of play being in the Syston half. Against the run of play Syston got a breakaway try which started with a solo break from within the Syston 22 and ended up under the Melton posts. The try was converted. Five minutes later the same Syston player performed the same trick and suddenly Melton were two tries down with 15 minutes to go.

Melton refused to accept that the game was lost and more intelligent use of the breeze and determination in the forwards saw Melton pressing the Syston line. With 5 minutes to go Melton won a 5 metre scrum from which flanker Tom Allan picked up and drove over close to the posts. Matt Howard converted.

There was now 5 points in it and 5 minutes left to play with Melton in the ascendancy. Melton had their tails up and it looked to be a question of whether Syston could hang on to their lead. Then with Melton throwing everything forward another Syston breakaway try settled the match. The successful conversion was the last kick of the day.

MATCH REPORT

18th November 2007

Melton Mowbray  5 :  17  Loughborough

The scoreline belies the fact that Melton were the stronger side for most of this match. Conditions were atrocious with temperatures only just above freezing and driving rain. However the spectators had the better of it with warm waterproof clothing being the order of their day. On the pitch, the cold became an increasing problem for the boys with frozen hands leading to errors particularly towards the end of the match.

The Loughborough team contained some large boys and at the start there was the concern that Melton would be overwhelmed in the forwards. That concern was dispelled within minutes. Melton tore into the opposition. The Melton forwards yet again showed good technique in the set piece and the loose. Even in the lineout where Loughborough were a good head higher the Melton forwards contested for the ball and were able to disrupt and win possession. Melton backs’ tackling was excellent and Loughborough were unable to launch attacking movements of any threat.

Melton’s reward came after 18 minutes when Tom Allen chipped ahead down the right. Will Grant won the contest for a bouncing ball and ran in at the right corner. It remained all Melton for the rest of the half although the conditions were making it increasingly difficult to pass and  hold onto a slippery ball.

Melton started the second half as they had finished the first but as the half wore on the elements came increasingly into play –  particularly with Melton playing into the wind and rain and against the slope. More of the game began to be played in Melton’s half with some solid defence required to keep Loughborough out. With ten minutes to go Loughborough got their first try with Melton struggling to control the ball close to their line.

The last ten minutes belonged to the elements. Both teams were suffering with painfully cold hands and flowing rugby was out of the question. Loughborough got their second try as a result of a break through the middle from within the Loughborough half which was run in under the posts and duly converted. Then with the final play of the match a Loughborough kick downfield ended with the ball being scrambled over for a try in the corner.

MATCH REPORT

11th November 2007

Lutterworth  36 :  5  Melton Mowbray

The day started early and got little better. A request by Lutterworth for an early (9:30) kick-off saw some bleary-eyed players and team supporters make the journey to Lutterworth across a Leicestershire which was otherwise enjoying a Sunday morning lie in. So was the Lutterworth team who eventually turned up for a 10:30 kick-off.

Despite the sleep deprivation Melton started brightly. After 3 minutes the Lutterworth backs fumbled and dropped the ball allowing Melton centre Will Grant to swoop and pick up and then run in under the posts from 25 metres. Unfortunately that was one of the few handling errors Lutterworth made.

As the game progressed it became apparent why Lutterworth are unbeaten this season. Their forwards were well organised and Melton found themselves having to operate on very limited possession. With a solid forward platform providing a stream of possession Lutterworth were able to demonstrate that they also possessed some strong  backs who were difficult to put down.

Melton conceded a total of 6 tries  (3 converted) before the match finished. It would have been more but for some uncompromising tackling. And the indomitable Melton team spirit was evident again when in the last 5 minutes of the match it was Melton who were pressing the Lutterworth line only to be denied by a sound defence.

At least the homeward journey was in daylight.

MATCH REPORT

21st  October 2007

 RESULT Keyworth  17 :  12  Melton Mowbray

An excellent hard fought game which was appreciated by spectators on both sides. Keyworth fielded a side augmented (by agreement) with a number of Under 14 players and their play was characterised by some powerful forward surges and strong running in the backs. In the first half Melton seemed to be going through the motions with little sense of purpose. A kickable penalty was conceded early on and duly converted by Keyworth. Shortly before half-time Melton’s best back move of the half broke down ten yards short of the Keyworth line from where the Keyworth wing was able to pick up and sprint the length of the pitch to score. The try was converted and at half-time Melton were down 10:0.

The second half was a different match. Melton’s pack began to play with skill and determination in the loose and the backs began to link together. Each side made good breaks upfield only to be stopped by some spectacular tackling. Melton’s pack took the battle to the opposition who conceded a number of penalties in the loose before a series of pick up and drives saw second row Tom Winterton driven over for Melton’s first score which was well converted by Ben Wass.

Melton now looked to be on top and were unfortunate when shortly afterwards Keyworth got another breakaway try against the run of play. By now this had turned into a keenly fought encounter and Melton came back strongly. With five minutes to go full-back Ben Wass threaded his way through the Keyworth defence to score Melton’s second try and then narrowly missed the conversion. As the match concluded Melton were hunting for the equalising try but in the end ran out of time.

MATCH REPORT

Sunday 14th October 2007

RESULT Melton Mowbray  17 : 0  Aylestone St. James

“Match ball” controversy at Melton U13’s this week. That could be the only explanation for some uncharacteristic handling errors by Melton in what turned out nevertheless to be a comfortable win over “Jimmies”. The early stages of the match were rather ragged with both sides making too many mistakes and Melton forwards seeming to display only a modest interest in proceedings. It was not until midway through the first half that the pack began to fire on all cylinders but once that started Melton began to exert some control. Towards the end of the first half with Melton  pressing the opposition line,  Jamie King broke out of a maul with the ball and carried over for the first try.

The second half started well for Melton when centre Will Grant received the ball in his own half and then ran round the defence and down the left wing before putting the ball down under the posts. Tom Allen converted. After that Jimmies never looked like getting back into the game and their attacking opportunities were well stifled by Melton who now had their tails up.

Ten minutes before time Melton’s Matt Canon kicked through a loose ball which stopped just short of the line where Jimmies defence was unable to prevent the ever-present Jamie King from picking up and diving over for his second try of the match.

MATCH REPORT

SUNDAY 23rd September 2007

RESULT Melton Mowbray  0 : 7  Lincoln

A single converted try decided this match and that did not come until late in the second half. This was a hard fought contest between two well matched teams and as the second half unfolded it seemed likely that the first team to score would win. Melton paid the penalty for not capitalising on early dominance. In the first fifteen minutes of the match Melton forwards dominated in the loose and kept a steady stream of ball coming for the backs to the extent that a try seemed inevitable. Only some good tackling kept the opposition from being overwhelmed. But Lincoln held firm and as the match progressed they began to secure good possession for a useful looking back division. By the end of the first half it was becoming increasingly clear that this was going to be a tight game.

The second half was keenly contested and exciting despite the lack of points. The match could easily have gone either way but a brisk wind kept more of the play in Melton’s half. In the end Lincoln made more of territorial advantage than Melton had done and a period of sustained pressure resulted in their forwards being able to squeeze the ball over the line for a try five minutes from time. Melton rallied with real purpose and the match ended in Lincoln’s half but as many had predicted, one score did it.

Team: Tom Allen, Will Hatfield, Taylor Davies, Jamie King, Matthew Howard, Ben Baker, Tony Woodcock, Tom Archer, Jack Buckley, Ben Copley, Joe Halpin, Will Grant, Chris Godsmark, Jack Winterton, Dan McGhie, Sam Bellamy, Will Lumby, Sam Emmett

MATCH REPORT

SUNDAY 16th September 2007

RESULT Derby 20 : Melton 0

This was a day for Melton to tackle and keep on tackling. Derby is a strong side with an Under 13 squad of over 50 lads. It was agreed that 3 short matches would be played to give all the Derby players a run out. The first match quickly showed that Derby had strength (and size) in depth with a solid pack and good speed and handling amongst their backs. When Melton conceded an early try after crisp handling in the Derby backs the writing looked to be on the wall. However despite heavier and stronger opposition Melton forwards again showed good technique in both scrum and  loose and were not prepared to be pushed around by anyone. Melton’s defence was excellent and time and again a powerful run by a Derby player was unceremoniously halted when his legs were taken away by low and determined tackling. There were good forays into Derby territory but Melton could not get the ball over the line. In the end they went down by three tries (one converted) and a penalty. It was no disgrace to loose to a powerful Derby side.       

The 2nd and 3rd matches allowed Derby to exercise fresh legs but the story was much the same with Melton going down 10:0 and 17:0.

MATCH REPORT

SUNDAY 9th September 2007

RESULT Melton 12 : Oadby Wyggs 0