Once more Melbourne's reserves were tested as the team saw several changes to the week previous with Walker, Nicholson, Benstead, C Livesey, J Livesey, Howard and Holden all unavailable. The returning Iliffe, Fisher, Lowery, Judge& Nightingale all looking to make impacts as competition for places hots up further

Lincoln travelled to Melbourne with their a large squad as the firsts and seconds fulfilled their respective fixtures at the MSP, a minutes silence was called before both kick-offs in memory and honour of David Burchell, a true gentleman of the game and a wonderful person who will be sorely missed - our thoughts firmly remain with his family at this time.

Melbourne played against the conditions in the first half, with Lincoln opting to utilise the stiff wind and slope. Lincoln clearly had the advantage in the physical with a massive pack. This advantage did not transfer to the set pice however, as Melbourne's scrum time and again decimated the visitors front row resulting in Lincoln having to shuffle their pack on several occasions in order to stabilise the set piece.

Unfortunately the tempo of the game was dictated by the discipline of both teams as the sound of the officials whistle was far to common for the liking of the crowd and supporters. This was a feature throughout the game with both squads unable to gain a huge amount of possession or ascendency.

The green&gold gained their first score after twelve minutes as a driving maul split the visitors defence and the ball was spun wide. Jack Pearce timing a great run at pace to leave the opposition in his wake as he powered over the would be tacklers for his first score of the day. Sam Hancock continuing his fine form with the boot to convert 7 - 0

Lincoln were united in their fightback and led very well by their talismanic eight come second row. They soon levelled the scores as an their backline ran the ball wide. With no-where to go the attack seemed to have been snuffed at source until Melbourne opted to watch the attack as opposed to defend it allowing a simple score which was converted. 7 - 7

The game was well balanced at this stage. Melbourne looked more threatening but with constant infringements being punished by the referee there was little ball to play with and opportunities became rare. The penalty count would ultimately decide the route of the game and it initially swing in favour of the visitors initially who took a 7 - 10 lead with a centrally located penalty converted.

On 36 minutes Hancock quickly re-established level pegging slotting a fantastic penalty wide right that hit both posts before, with the grace of god, falling on the right side of the bar! 10 - 10

Melbourne capitalised on some exceptional individual play, with excellent reading of the game as Lincolns attack in the green&golds 22 turned into a counter attack. The irrepressible centre, Jack Pearce, read a wide pass and plucked it mid-air racing free and galloping down the pitch despite the best interests of Lincolns covering defence. Once again the score was converted 17 - 10

HALF TIME

Changes were rung at the half time break. Iliffe making his return from injury and Martin both slotting in the backrow with George Stephenson, moving to tighthead.

The second half followed similarly to the first with a tightly contested game. Melbourne played the conditions well, pinning the visitors back and attacking with purpose but the resolute Lincoln defence held firm. The only noticeable event being a yellow card issued to the visitors open side for a high tackle.

Immediate openings and opportunities were rare and solely came from further penalties with the trusty boot of Hancock delivering a further six points to the visitors three.

Final Score 23 -13

A far from polished performance but a win is a win. The season will only present further challenges and every week will bring new lessons. The question is whether we continue to learn and evolve as a result of them. Next week we face an away fixture versus Long Eaton that is sure to once again provide a stern challenge.

TRIES - X2 Pearce
CONVERSIONS - X2 Hancock
PENALTIES - X3 Hancock
YC/RC - None
MOTM Jack Pearce