SIXY RUGBY (1st XV)

Melbourne took to the road for their first away trip of 2018/2019 to face Ilkeston. Knowing that Ilkeston had secured a 7 - 7 draw against Matlock the week previous, suggested that Melbourne would be in for a tough encountered and so it proved.

The green and gold once again showed strength in depth with further changes to the squad the defeated Dronfield during the previous round. Due to a long injury list and absentees Melbourne were without several senior players and welcomed Harry Stephenson, Dan Walker, Gary Lakin, Ed Whitten, Jack Brough and John Cooke-Rogers into the match day squad.

The weather was forecast to be dry but a spell of rain before kick-off ensured a greasy surface. With an unfortunate injury to a colt on the main pitch, who we all wish the best and a speedy recovery, saw the match diverted to the second team pitch which was relatively narrow and sloped compared to the usual surface.

Ilkeston looked extremely well organised during the warmup and again held some fine physical specimens that made the earth shudder when they took a step forward.

Playing against the wind and slope in the first half, the green and gold looked to make a statement of intent as they carried hard and managed the conditions well. Ilkeston used their size and physicality well, trying to run over and through the green&gold, Melbourne combatted this well and turned the ball over early on leading to a quick release of centre Livesey for an early score. (0 - 5)

Ilkeston had first dibs on the scrum and looked to pressure the away sides pack with a couple of useful drives and shunts early doors, Percival coping well at the back of the scrum. With Ilkeston starting strongly Melbourne were aware of the need to be patient and took any early opportunity to extend the lead through a Holden penalty. ( 0 - 8)

Ilkeston retained possession well and following a series of phases managed to work the ball out wide where their winger awaited and took the ball at pace athletically rounding the green&gold defence and superbly touching down in the corner despite the close attention of Sam Hanock who narrowly missed taking the wingers feet into touch. It was a fine finish by the Ilkeston back. (5 - 8)

It was soon to get worse for Melbourne as the restart saw an immediate yellow card to back-row Stephenson for an unfortunate collision with the Ilkeston receiver mid-air. Reckless yes - intentional no. This left Melbourne down to 14, against the conditions and slope. The green&gold knew they had a tough ten minutes ahead. The coaches saw the opportunity for change and changed the pack with Walker coming into loose head and Nicholson taking a break, this saw an immediate impact in the set-piece as Melbourne began to gain greater ascendency.

Ilkeston continued to smash the breakdown and centre channels but the smart green&gold defence withstood the barrages and managed a number of key turnovers. With ball in hand Melbourne looked very dangerous and it wasn't long before the ball was worked wide left and the irrepressible Joe Livesey came from deep to work his way through the Ilks defence and score Melbourne's second try, converted by Holden (5 - 15).

There were some excellent performances in the early stages of the game, the centre pairing of Pearce and Livesey having an excellent game despite this being one of only a handful of appearances together. Furthermore, the backrow combination was working well and the row was proving industrious as Whitten, Nicholson and Judge added grunt to the show. It was the lively scrum half that was once again beginning to steal the limelight however, and the third try was a superb solo effort showing great vision and inventiveness . Picking from a ruck the scrum half showed half the ball and shot through half a gap, powering behind the defence then relying on speed and footwork to round the covering defence and work the ball centrally under the posts for the conversion. (5 - 22)

HALF TIME

With the conditions now in their favour Melbourne looked to continue to build, but it was ilkeston who drew first blood. The scrum half taking a quick tap and firing through the defence to dot down from 5 meters out following a penalty for a breakdown infringement.

Melbourne began to wear Ilkeston down and a sublime piece of skill from Jack Pearce saw a "chip" / Gary Owen from the centre who collected his own kick and managed to wriggle free of the contact. the ball was moved wide following series of phases and eventually allowed Tommy Howard to touch down right of the posts again converted by Holden. (10 - 29)

Melbourne introduced John Cooke-Rogers and Jack Brough to the fry and saw immediate impact. Brough taking an immediate turnover and Rogers being a nuisance in the loose with several strong carries.

With time on the clock the green&gold continued to press and it was the ever-present and sublime James Benstead who gained a further two scores. Showing his dexterity the first was from tight play whilst his second was from a blindside attack, showing his true athleticism and pace as he beat the first and second line of defence. Holden converted both final score (10 - 43)

Tries: C Livesey (n/c), J Livesey (c), Hancock (c), Howard (c), Benstead x2 (c)
Penalty: Holden
Conversions: x5 Holden
RC/YC: Stephenson
MOTM: Hancock