Round 2 of the RFU Intermediate Cup place Coventry based Earlsdon against Melbourne. Two sides of similar form and results. Although windy, conditions were good. Earlsdon playing in red and white were well organised and clearly had a game plan where-by they targeted wide channels.

Melbourne made changes for the fixture with the returning Charlie Livesey slotting into outside centre, Jack Fisher adapting the fullback position with Joe Stuart and Livesey completing the back three. In the pack, Percival retained the loose head shirt with Coyne shifting across to hooker. The backrow looked mobile and powerful with Stephenson, Iliffe and Warren.

The first half commenced with Melbourne playing against the wind and slope. Immediately it was evident that Earlsdon were capable of playing multiple phases and had good ball retention. Despite the lions share of possession and territory the red and whites were unable to threaten the green & whites defensive line. It was obvious that the game was going to be costly fought and well balanced. On one rare occasion a wide play saw the open side wing escape the initial interests of the main defensive line and an except scramble defence and cover tackle by Joe Livesey prevented a certain try for the home side.

Melbourne needed a response but unfortunately they were not the first to react. A centralised penalty was awarded for site entry at a ruck and the home team pointed to posts. With conditions being windy no place kick was going to be straight forward and sure enough the kick drifted wide, striking the post and bouncing back into the field of play where it rebounded off a green & gold player and into the hands of an Earlsdon backrow who had a simple finish given the proximity to the try line. Earlsdon took an early 7 - 0 lead.

Melbourne took the advantage of the restart to apply their first real pressure of the first half, which culminated in an immediate score. The kick was chased down by Iliffe who chopped the carrier immediately and Melbourne countered well. Pressure applied a clearance kick was mis-executed resulting in a lineout for the visitors 20m out. With ball in hand Melbourne looked threatening and strong carries by Percival, Iliffe and Warren took Melbourne forward and Earlsdon struggled to cope with the physicality and press. the able was swung back across the pitch and made the hands of the imposing Charlie Livesey who, using a combination of footwork and strength, powered over the line. The try was converted by Holden 7 - 7

A second penalty was shortly awarded to the home side who chipped it over for a 10 - 7 lead.

Melbourne were buoyed by their first score and had firmly taken a grasp of the game. Dominating the scrum and field position, it was Earlsdon's turn to defend for large periods. The game was counter balanced and neither side could establish real dominance in the oppositions 22.

Following half time and the respective team talks, it was Melbourne who were quickest out of the blocks. Once again they harried and pressed the home side, securing a number of key turnovers. A second score soon followed for the green&gold as centre partner, who had been an absolute dog in defence, got his hands on the ball in the 15m channel and timed a lovely angled run to finish off a sweeping move, taking the score to 10 -14.

With the game swinging the visitors favour. The green & golds were dominating possession and contact and should have done more with the ball in hand. It was against the run of play that Earlsdon managed to gain a second score. A knock on in contact was not spotted by the match official and resulted in the ball being run deep into Melbourne territory. With advantage being played for an offence at the breakdown play was pulled back and a scrum awarded to the home side. Despite Melbourne having earlier dominated the set-piece the home side clawed this back and began to get a strong wheel on at the scrum. This resulted in three re-sets and an eventual turnover of the penalty allowing the home side to pick and drive to the line for an unconverted score 15-14.

The remainder of the game continued as before with the lions share of possession in Melbourne's favour. Two penalty attempts fell on the wrong side of posts but were never going to be straight forward with the conditions and a last. minute attack that saw Melbourne bulldoze over the wide defence of Earlsdon was brought to an immediate stop due to a serious impact / injury that required treatment.

Melbourne still looked threatening and despite being the last play were retaining the ball well and with real intensity. However, it was not meant to be as the match official awarded a penalty at the resulting scrum following the stoppage giving the win to Earlsdon in what was a tight affair. Congratulations too Earlsdon and we wish you well.

Despite the loss Melbourne can draw positives from this defeat and it maintains a standard if performance that the green&gold have established early on this season.

TRIES - LIVESEY, PEARCE
CONV - x2 HOLDEN
YC/RC - N/A
MOTM - ILIFFE

We now focus on next week which sees another local game between Melbourne and Loughborough (3pm KO).