Round 8 of Midlands 2 saw Southwell travel to Cockshut Lane, Melbourne. This was a fixture that saw top versus bottom but Southwell had competed well in recent games. Feedback, as well as close score-lines, suggested that Southwell were not a team to be taken lightly. Both sides had had a free cup weekend and were coming back from a week off.

Once again Melbourne's squad saw multiple changes. Influential centres Jack Pearce and Charlie Livesey were both unavailable through injury as well as the powerful back row of James Lockhart, Andy Martin, wings Thomas Lowery and Tommy Howard and front row Gary Lakin. Harry Stephenson is on a short sabbatical in the Scottish Highlands with work and Jordan Goddard also unavailable.

Fortunately Melbourne are developing a fantastic depth to their squad and were able to welcome back the talismanic Jack Percival and James Benstead, George Stephenson also coming back into the squad following a recent injury. Joshua Mallet made his first start at 12 and Joshua Beech was on the replacements bench to make his senior debut following a string of impressive displays within the 2XV squad.

Conditions were good if a little greasy. The sun was out and a crowd gathered on the sidelines ahead of kick-off. Melbourne were with the conditions in the first half and new they had to make it count early on.

Melbourne immediately took control of the game, ensuring they played their rugby in the right areas although discipline was an immediate concern as the they were regularly penalised against the run of play. Despite this, Melbourne attack with real sting and bite and the first try was one of the best of the day. On 8 minutes Coyne received the ball from first phase drawing the defender to then release Benstead in the left hand 15m channel. Benstead returned the favour as Coyne looped in support. The hooker continued forward stepping wide to then feed the inside run of Livesey coming on at pace and from that moment their was no stopping the fullback who ran in under the posts 7 - 0. He didn't have to wait long until he was back in the action, quick ball from a turnover saw a huge gap open up in front of the fullback who once again sniffed the try line, powering across to give the green&gold a 14 - 0 lead.

The sublime fullback had his hat trick within twenty minutes of the first half. Receiving an exit kicking from the visitors Livesey wrong footed the chaser resulting in two of the three covering defenders loosing their own footing as they attempted to make the covering tackle as he stepped his way forward and scored his third 21 - 0 .

On twenty minutes another counter attack saw Mallet, at inside centre, run from outside the green&gold twenty two breaking several tackles and popping the ball out the back for the supporting Benstead to collect and drive forward for Melbourne's fourth try and a guaranteed bonus point.

Melbourne were dominating all facets of the game and the challenge was going to be whether they could sustain the mentality to continue to push their performance. Their discipline wasn't a positive and they were providing needless opportunities for the visitors who refused to roll over.

Melbourne's fifth try came from the lively page who spotted a space at the ruck and nipped through and beat the covering defender to dot down wide right. This was then followed by two further quick scores as Benstead collected his second and Livesey his fourth taking the score to 47 - 0 at half time.

Halftime saw Page replaced by Hancock at scrum half and Beech come onto the wing for his debut. Nicholson entered the fray at second row and Stephenson came in at hooker. The challenge was laid for the green&gold to improve their discipline and maintain their mindset.

The second half started similarly to the first with Fisher getting in on the action as the outside centre ran a great angle to beat the opposition press and start the second half with a bang 54 - 0. The momentum was temporarily halted as a Southwell player had a nasty collision and required treatment and an ambulance, we have since heard the player is back on his feet and thankfully nothing too serious had occurred. We wish him a speedy recovery.

The game was moved to the bottom pitch and re-started with a scrum just inside Melbourne's half. The game took a short while regain momentum with Livesey the catalyst to re-open the scoring and secure his fifth try and Judge in quick succession secure Melbourne's tenth of the day as he drove forward from a short feed from the base of the ruck. 68 - 0

Southwell, to their credit refused to give up and gave plenty of positive chat to their troops. This culminated in two scores for the visitors, the first saw them capitalise on poor work-rate in the defence from Melbourne as the visitors spotted space out wide. The defence lost its spacing and allowed Southwell to crash over for their first score.

Things got worse for Melbourne, who despite being in Southwell's half and having the lions share of possession were penalised for chat and Melbourne Captain Holden was shown a yellow card. This spurred on the visitors but it was Melbourne who continued to impress with Mallet scoring his first of the day and senior debutant Beech also finishing well from a wide sequence of play, taking the score to 82 - 5.

Southwell rallied with three minutes remaining and secured a further score with some excellent passing sequences and support play 82-12.

The final score of the day belonged to Melbourne with Beech once again finishing well under pressure. The ball went through multiple phases and was moved wide right. As the ball came across to Beech he cut inside beating his defender and maintaining a low body position to drive forward over the line for his second score. 87 - 12.

Tries: J Livesey 5
J Beech 2
J Benstead 2
O Page
A Judge
J Fisher
J Mallett
KICKS: X 11 conversions E Holden
RC/YC: YC Euan
MOTM - Joe Livesey