Round 1 of Midlands 2 East (North) saw Melbourne paired against Dronfield for the opening league game of the 2018/2019 season. Conditions were drab with a strong downfield wind and wet weather for the duration of the match.

Despite this being round one of the league, Melbourne were without several senior players due to injuries and absence but fortunately with one of our key objectives during pre-season being to develop our strength in depth and further integrate our squads the green&gold were able to select a highly competitive side. Melbourne handed Midlands 2 debuts to Josh Mallet, George Stephenson and Jordan Gale.

The toss of the coin landed in Dronfield's favour and they selected to play with the wind in the first half. Dronfield were noticeably a physical side with sizeable players amongst there squad.

With the worst of the weather in the first half there was little opportunity to play free flowing rugby. Melbourne had parity in the scrum despite the big difference in weight and size between the packs, yet the wind caused havoc with both sides line-out, as a result there was a number of stoppages and re-sets.

The first forty minutes was a bruising affair, with strong tackles and clear-outs from both sides. The first score of the game came against the run of play as a loose pass between the back three was intercepted by Dronfield who was able to run in unopposed. This roused Dronfield who smelt and tasted first blood.

The experience of Melbourne began to show however as they adapted their play and won a penalty which the impressive Hancock converted to pull the score back to 3 - 7. Melbourne upped the pressure and a series of half chances were created with Howard impressing from a counter attack and Benstead and Judge combining well with excellent interlink play.

Dronfield played the game well and began to play to corners in an attempt pin Melbourne back. However, Melbourne resilience was impressive and Dronfield had to be patient for another score until almost 20 minutes later when sustained pressure and a yellow card to Melbourne's second row saw them score from series of hard carries, this remained the score through to half time 3 - 14.

Half Time

The stalls were set at half time and the challenge presented. With conditions now in Melbourne's favour the question was could we utilise them to greater effect than Dronfield.

It was shortly into the second half that Hancock again delivered a penalty successfully drawing the scores closer 6 -14.

The scrum half then scored Melbourne's first try with excellent play down the right side of the pitch as the green&gold evaded the Dronfield defence and linked well, Hancock also converted the difficult kick 13-14.

Melbourne sustained the pressure and a tactical switch in the backline saw further tempo added to the game as Dronfield tired. Goddard was next to score following excellent team work with a series of pick and drives in the opposition from a line-out. The hooker managing to burrow over just right of the posts again converted by Hancock. 20 - 14

The finest try of the game came courtesy of an impressive break by Jacob Watts, who made an excellent impact from the bench. Breaking through the defence and drawing the covering defenders before offloading to the supporting Coyne for a solid 30m run in. Despite the difficult angle Hancock made it 100% with another successful conversion 27-14.

COACHES CORNER:

"Round 1 was always going to be a hard battle. We knew what to expect and that nothing can be taken for granted. We expect a very competitive and tough season ahead. The game has grown, ambition is rife and we want to be the best we can be week on week, improving as the season progresses.

No-one, least of all us, should expect to win - we have learnt the hard way that you have to earn every single point you can muster and make every opportunity count."

Man of the Match: Mark Coyne
Tries: Hancock, Goddard, Coyne.
Conversions / Penalties: 12 points - Hancock
YC / RC: YC - Nicholson