Melbourne welcomed Burton to the University of Derby on a sunny and dry Saturday afternoon. Having 19 senior players unavailable meant the green and gold took the opportunity to look at their youngsters and add yet more competition to their senior squad. Promising talent such as Max Lowson, Jordan Gale, John Cooke-Rogers and Chris Rudkin were all welcomed into the squad and a debut for newcomer Jordan Goddard was also provided. Jacob Watts returned to the squad , Hancock switched to scrum half and Joe Livesey to fly half in the absence of captain Euan Holden.

It was the green and golds who started brightly with some dogged defence as Burton looked to exert early pressure. Refusing the opportunity to take 3 points the visitors looked to establish early scores through their line-out but failed to capitalise as Melbourne turned them over on two occasions. With their first visit into Burtons 22 it was Melbourne who took the initiative with a quick tap penalty and the sniping Hancock who got the first try of the day for a 5 - 0 lead, burrowing over.

Pumped by their play and eagerness to impress, the green and gold continue to build pressure and attack the visitors further and it wasn't long before a second passage of play saw the visitors defence stretched and Max Lowson received the ball wide right to ground for a second score. The whistle blew and everyone thought a try had been awarded only for play to be pulled back for what was adjudged to have been a forward pass.

From this moment the game turned as the visitors looked to apply pressure through their big forwards. Melbourne's task was made harder when they were reduced to fourteen with Jack Percival perceived to have played the scrum-half in Melbourne's 22 and a penalty and 3 points were taken. Down to fourteen and Burton made it count as they used their man advantage wonderfully well punishing some high tackles and disjointed spacing in the defensive line - much to the disappointment of the green and gold. However, as ever, Melbourne re-grouped and dug deep with senior players Dan Walker and Chris Purce leading from the front and the whole squad epitomising hard working.

On 30 minutes, Goddard came into hooker and Nicholson to Tighthead with Lowson moving to backrow and Watts into the centre. Fresh legs added impetus and steadied the ship. Lowson's work rate was highly impressive especially at the breakdown along with the lively Goddard who carried well and tackled low. Hancock, who had been lively all game, was instrumental in a sweeping role making some telling tackles to Burtons attacking lines.

At half time Gale was introduced into the second row for a birthday debut and acquitted himself well. Melbourne took to the second half with renewed determination and were resilient and tenacious in their play. The Livesey brothers firmed up the midfield and the players had identified the spaces that Burton left exposed.

Burton began to get rattled and a red card was dished out for a punch to face by Burton's backrow. Melbourne began to hunt for the overlap and in there haste played a little loose with the ball being hacked forward for Burton to gain another score against the run of play.

It was Goddard on his debut that got the green and golds next score running a lovely out to in line and hitting the weak shoulder of the Burton defence to burst behind the line to ground the ball over the tryline , for a converted score.

Melbourne stayed in the game and fought for the full eighty minutes. The challenge was too great and fair play to Burton who played with real quality, providing an excellent example of how to play the game simply yet to excellent high standards and a masterclass of how to be clinical.

Despite the scoreline Melbourne can take some real positives from the game. They played well in phases and the opportunity to play high quality senior rugby was taken by all debutants who made their mark. The experience taken from this game will be invaluable going forwards and will be of huge benefit to the green and gold in the long term.

Melbourne 12 - 55 Burton
Trys - Hancock and Goddard
Conversion - J Livesey
MOTM - Sam Hancock