Melbourne welcomed Bakewell to Cockshut Lane on a dry and sunny day. Following excellent ground maintenance works (following yet more freaky rain levels over the week) the pitch was playable and looked like a plethora of soft green grass shoots only to be intersected by the crisp white chalk lines ready for match day.
Following a narrow victory (at the third attempt and journey to the vistors) away, Melbourne knew to expect a battle and it was confirmed by the presence of a young, big and strong team that arrived at the Stade De Melbournais.
With a number of absentees Melbourne welcomed Dan Cox, Aussie Stringer and Chris Stark back to the squad.
Melbourne started brightly and had a number of early chances to take the lead only for an error or referee decision to be made with points in sight. The pitch despite appearance was soft underfoot and meant that the conditions quickly deteriorated to turn the match into a boggy battle.
The first score came courtesy of the peristaltic pest and all rounder enforcer Chris Purce who broke from a maul to drive over the try line wide left. Score 5 - 0.
Bakewell used their ball carriers well and in particular their prop was always at the front making hard yards. Melbourne's defence stayed disciplined and absorbed the pressure well.
Melbourne made good ground with carries from the sprightly Theo, bullish Nicholson and Judge, evasive Watty. Page and Holden controlled the game well in typical fashion.
A tactical change was made on 20 minutes with Stark coming into the second row for Nicholson.
A second score was soon on the cards as Day found himself with ball a few meters out. With a couple of backs to beat the tight head took route one driving forward to the line. Score 10 - 0
Al Judge was up next, in excellent support of Stuart, he ripped the ball and broke beyond Bakewells defence to run home. Score 17 - 0
Second Half
The initial period of play at the start of the second half was dominated by bakewell in and around the halfway.
Strong kick chase by De Vies and Foster had put good pressure on Bakewell and a try was soon awarded as Day was once a gin able to carry and drive forward over the line. Score 22 - 0
Continued pressure by Melbourne should have resulted in further points being added to the score but the odd poor decision or execution by the players prevented adding to the established lead. Cox and Smith entered the field adding impetus to the backrow following hard work in horrid conditions by Purce and Al Judge. The front row also saw changes with Nicholson coming into tight head and Day moving to loose.
Another score finally arrived following continued possession. With the ball being shipped wide Stark ran an out to in line straightening the defence. With good footwork and pace the big man ran the ball home for the fifth score. Score 27 - 0
Melbourne continued to dominate territory and possession. A sixth score came courtesy of Stuart who finished well to make the Final Score 32 - 0.
With only one try converted and ample further opportunities to add tries to the score plenty of points were left out on the pitch. This should should not take anything away from the positive performance delivered by the players in torrid conditions.
A weeks break meant we could have been slow to start and rusty with changes to the squad but overall a pleasing performance was given by all players. A real squad effort through and through.
Stern tests await the squad in the next few weeks but we should be confident in ourselves and abilities and relish the opportunity to challenge every team we face.
MoTM - Tony 'Nuisance' Day