A Tale of Two Halves

A Tale of Two Halves

Melbourne began the game brightly with a well balanced and disciplined display.

The forwards imposed themselves early upon the game and worked well to create quick ball for impressive backline. Strong carries by R Hollinsowrth, T De Vies and A Stringer made good ground in the build up to the first try. The play saw the ball switched from the right flank across the entire width of the pitch for M Lowery to drop over the line and make the first score. A difficult conversion was finished with aplomb by Captain Holden who had a fine kicking game throughout the match.

On 15 and 20 minutes two serious injuries resulted in the forced withdrawal of T Lowery, from the left wing, and second row Stark. J Edgar came on for his Melbourne debut and M Hall took over in the second row duties.

On 25 minutes Notts scored their first try of the match following a scrum from a forward pass. As Melbourne's backrow targeted the scrum
half a simple offload put through the Notts centre who skipped through two tackles and dotted down right of the posts. The conversion was
missed.

Over the next five minutes Melbourne looked to take the game back to Notts but posseion and territory was turned on its head when a quick turnover at the ruck saw the Nott's backline break through the defence and a series of high tackles allowed a second try to be scored and converted.

Within ten minutes of the half remaining Melbourne regrouped and within 3 minutes had scored two further converted tries of their own. The
ever present Hollinsworth causing the Notts defence nuemrous problems with his direct runs and it was his support play which allowed him to
drive over the defence for his first try of the season. De Vies was making strong runs using good footwork and strength to drive through the
tackles. This had seen him make valuable yards in the first half. It was a scything run, following good hands from the backline, which saw De Vies take the ball through the defence and score wide right of the posts. Holden converting again.

With three minutes remaining a penalty was awarded to Melbourne, which was central to the posts, and Holden popped the ball over for an additional three points.

Half Time 12 - 24

The second half saw Melbourne immediately pressure Notts. With the majority of possession and terriroity on their side Melbourne looked for further scores and sniffed a try when a number of scrums had caused Notts all sorts of problems within their 22. It was from a break down the blind side wing that saw an attempted offload intercepted by Notts and a break away score was gifted to the opposition who also converted well.This was completely against the run of play and should have been trigger for Melbourne to shut up shop.

Melbourne continued to excert pressure on Notts. Having introduced Tony Day to the front row at half time Melbourne began dominate the scrums and a series of changes were enforced by Notts to try to nullify this pressure. With the ball and majority of play remaining in Notts half it was desperately disappointing that once again a loose pass off the back of a scrum was intercepted and taken the length of the field for another Notts score which was again converted well taking the score to 26 - 24.

With the game in the balance pressure began to build and, on 60 minutes, a number of injuries led to the referee informing Melbourne that uncontested scrums would be implemented. This was definately to the favour of the home side who had been under severe pressure at the throughout the second half.

Notts began to boss the breakdown and used tactics well to slow the ball down in the rucks and apply pressure to Melbournes halfbacks. A number of warnings, including team warnings, to the Notts players had saw a yellow card issued to Notts flanker for persistent infringments at the breakdown but it was more surprising not to see further action taken when Melbourne were camped on the opposition 5 meter line with Notts players failing to roll away from the tackle and entering at the side of the ruck. It was on 65 minutes Captain Holden added a penalty and another three points to their score.

It was de ja vu once more when the Notts backline again picked off a loose ball and ran through a series of high tackles which resulted in the games final try and ultimately the win for Notts. Notts were good for their win and deserved the victory .

Melbourne are bitterly frustrated and disappointed with their performance. It was a game that had been lost through simple mistakes. With Coalville up next a lot of work is needed on the training paddock ahead of the first home league fixture.