With an 11 am, leave the coach eventually set off at 11,20 after the kit was located and tackle pads collected. A slow arduous journey was hindered by slow traffic and an inexplicable journey through the middle of Grantham!! The bus eventually arrived at 1.25 (for a 2.15 KO) and the players had a quick change and warm up. The travelling VPS had a quick lunch and the rowdy support retired to the bar.

MRFC welcomed back W Judge, both Lowerys, Coyne and Howard.

The weather was mild with a stiff breeze blowing across the pitch.

Spalding were a big side with a mix of youth and experience.

Melbourne never looked in trouble despite never finding top gear. Trys came at a regular interval with 4 in each half.

First Dan Walker went over from close range, followed by a scrum taken against the head which saw Euan score in the corner. Dan Walker added another despite having a knee in touch before Al Judge scored from a driving maul on the stroke of half time.

HT 22-0

The second half saw more fluency from Melbourne and more open play but Spalding never gave up with their left wing lively throughout. Melbourne had to defend their own line stoutly from a series of 5m scrums.

Rob Foster scored after a fluent team move. Tommy Howard the same soon after. Olly Page added a fine solo score before Tommy ran one in from 70 yards. Euan converted 2. Pagey had one disallowed and another went begging with a forward pass.

Final score 46-0

MOTM Dan Walker

Good support from Melbourne with numbers on the bus.

Lovely hosting from Spalding too, to put up with 25 lads dressed up as ''ladies'' and Chris Purce in a gimp suit.

Quicker journey back in the bus luckily.

Drafted in best man, Jack Pearce, painstakingly wrote a 1 minute speech, delivered on arrival back at the MSP.