Melbourne welcomed Market Rasen to Cockshut lane on a lovely spring like afternoon. Nice and sunny but a stiff breeze down the pitch. There was a good crowd watching including a good proportion of U14s after ther coaching masterclass before the game.

As usual there were a few changes. Mark Coyne started at hooker this week. James Benstead returned to the back row. Oli Saffell and Jack Fisher made a new centre partnership with Joe Stuart and Josh Mallet returning to the wings.

Melbourne played into the wind in the first half. 2 ins in and with their first possession, quick hands saw Josh Mallett released on the outside for a sharp finish under the posts. Euan Holden providing the extras. Market Rasen were a big physical side and looked to exploit this, but Melbourne's resolute defence as usual held firm. They did have a decent place kicker and penalty indiscretions from Melbourne saw MR close the gap to 7-6.
Melbourne though, always looked dangerous. They were denied by an accidental knock on from 1 attack. Joe Stuart picked up a try on 18 minutes with slick hands in the backs again creating good space for the winger to finish.
Another penalty saw MR close the gap to 12-9 before Melbourne again cross the whitewash with Beefy Rudkin muscling his way over. Holden converting this one. Another knock on saw a yellow card for the MR winger. Andy Martin, subbing the back this week, crossed the line but was held up in the tackle.
Melbourne finished the game on a high with Malletts second. Again good hands from the backs saw him released in space and another smart finish. 26-9.
The forward pack held their own up front and were excellent in the lineout as well as the loose, with Devon in particular being a menace at the breakdown.

The second half saw MR immediately get a penalty for 26-12, but the rest of the half was Melbourne's and it was just the finishing that let them down, possibly leaving 3 or 4 Trys on the pitch.
Melbourne had good possession and territory throughout but did not score again until 55mins when Oli Saffell got his first Try for the club bursting over from short range after some powerful running from Percival and Iliffe. Holden converted.
MR were a man down again after their prop slowed a quick penalty down. On 60 minutes, the ever lively Page dotted down after a sharp break up the blindside, denying Mallett his hat-trick in the process.
On 74 mins Al Judge was awarded a yellow card after entering a ruck from the wrong side.
The game played on. Nightingale had a fine break from Melbourne's 22 but the ruined it by trying to pass - just put your head down and run Nighty!! Then the front row got in on the action after Nighty's attempt to pass with Beefy Rudkin trying a grubber kick through and James Squires throwing a very forward pass.
The game closed out for a 38-12 win for Melbourne
MOTM - close decision but neutral Guy Hope was asked and after naming at the Trent lads eventually came up with Devon iliffe who was a constant menace at the breakdown, physical throughout and linked really well with the backs, which considering the years played in the centre should not come as a surprise.

Week off next week and the MSP will welcome all for the 2 internationals on Saturday including Wales v England at 4.45
The following week there is a little jaunt up to Matlock