Melbourne through to next round of cup

Conditions: Bright and breezy
Pitch: Perfect
Points of note: Tony "Scores All" Day, Andy "Goose Step" Martin, Rob "Andrew" Foster

Report:

Melbourne welcomed Belper to Cockshut Lane for the NLD Senior Shield Match.

Touch running duties were undertaken by Tim and the crowds gathered for a what was hoped to be spectacle of rugby.

First Half

With the whistle sounded Melbourne fielded the kick. The chase was good and a knock-on was awarded following a fumble by Belper.
With the Belper forwards being the bigger and heavier of the two packs and Melbourne rotating players ahead of the new season the 'greens' knew that the set piece would be a challenge and so it proved.
Silly errors meant Melbourne could not get a grip of the game and although they looked dangerous play was far too broken to allow for any early scores.
In the tenth Andy Martin maintained his impressive start to the season adding another try to his account finishing a great passing sequence with aplumb to dot down for the first score.
With only 4 more minutes on the clock Melbourne had maintained pressure on the belper side and the lively Captain Holden saw a jinking run capped off with a score and conversion of his own to take the score to 12 - 0.
Errors remained in Melbourne's game with players and coaches asking for more from the squad. On twenty minutes the big man Tony Day physically smashed his way over the belper line for his first try of the season. 19-0
On thirty minutes backrow Pearce left the field with a minor knock to be replaced by the indomitable Nicholson added instant impetus to the forward pack.
Just before the half was up Tony 'Scores All' Day grabbed his second try much to the pleasure of the local crowds! Taking the score to 26-0
When Melbourne had to defend they were happy to meet the challenge head on and seeking opportunities to reverse the pressure. Great work in the tight by Cox, Judge, De Vies and the irrepressible Hollingsworth ensured little came close to breaching Melbournes lines.

Second Half

With Melbourne looking to kick on, changes were implemented. Ed Whitten and Joe Stuart entered the fray.
The next forty minutes was mixed with frustration and persistence. The Greens sought to continue to pressure but again mistakes crept into their game.
However further scores were ahead and the first was through the unselfish geordie De Vies who put Foster through for a fine score which was converted by Holden (33-0).
The next score came through Rob 'Andrew' Foster who showed great vision to chip ahead for the spirited (and rapid) Martin to chase, collect and score taking the score line to 40-0.
Frustration was brimming as Melbourne pressed hard for further scores but the final piece never fell into place. Melbourne sustained good pressure and territory but could not find that a little bit extra to see the game out. A great move by the backline aaw Andy Martin take on the outside wing with a Cipriani esk 'goosestep' that was cut short by the Belper defence and covering fullback.
At last the pressure told and Melbourne obtained their final score through the pack again which led to Cox scoring his first senior try for Melbourne.

Final Score 45-0

MoTM: R Hollingsworth

Whilst we were happy to progress, and with the overall scoreline, the players were certain that improvements need to be made. As a squad and club we look ahead and intend to right some wrongs in the next few weeks.