Melbourne 59 - 14 Worcester

Melbourne welcomed Worcester to Derbyshire, the only side that Melbourne had yet to face this season and little expectation of what they may face. The match had been moved to the University of Derby's 3G pitch following yet more wintery showers preventing play at cockshut lane.

From the previous week the team welcomed back Tony Day to the front row with Jack Pearce starting in the row - following his impressive display against Bromsgrove. Chris Purce took the blindside flank to complete the forward changes. The back-line saw one change with fit again Stringer displaying Martin who took a place amongst the replacements.

Worcester brought a sizeable and aggressive pack and from reports we knew they would be a stern test especially at the set piece.

Within 5 minutes of play excellent support work saw James Benstead score Melbourne's first try which was converted by Holden as the green and gold stormed into an early lead. This was to be quickly built upon as Melbourne assumed control and ascendency. Jack Pearce within a further ten minutes had Melbourne's second and was quickly followed by Ashley Stringer as Worcester struggled to contain Melbourne's attack. Within 30 minutes Melbourne had wrapped up a bonus point as Page, subject to unsavoury attention by a Worcester forward, earned his first score of the day and Melbourne's fourth. Soon followed by a penalty from Holden to take the score to 31 - 0.

Melbourne had found their rhythm and it was being played at tempo but with dogged defence to boot. The second half continued in a bright optimistic trend with Oliver Page gathering his second score of the game. A penalty try was awarded to Worcester for continual infringements by Melbourne to give the visitors some reward for their pick and go tactics. Holden was also shown a yellow card for an innocuous "late" tackle. With Worcester gaining a second try during this period.

Melbourne continued to press and probe Worcester at every opportunity and it was the talismanic figure of Stephenson (two weeks running as man of the match) who gained Melbourne's 6th try of the gain.

In previous matches Melbourne have been guilty of taking their eye of the mark but not today as the green and gold sought further reward for their fine performance and sure enough an additional two scores were taken by Joe Stuart and Charlie Livesey finishing the game off and leaving the scoreboard reading 59 -14 in what was one of Melbourne's finest displays to date.

MoTM - Harry Stephenson.

The win puts Melbourne up to 9th in the table on 39 points

Next week Melbourne face Burton in the seasons local derby as the Staffordshire side jump across the border travelling the short distance to Melbourne.