Melbourne edge tight game 8-3

Melbourne welcomed local rivals Ashbourne in a league/NLD ¼ final double header on a fine November day.
Melbourne had a couple of changes from last week. Olly Page at scrum half. Kier Biggins and Rob Hollingsworth in the back row. Both sides sported varying degrees of ugly slugs on their upper lips, in support of MOVEMBER, though none of them matched the state of Kier’s ear by the end of the game.
Ashbourne kicked off playing into the sun and a stiff breeze and immediately made an error from the kick off. A tentative start was made by both sides and it became clear the Ashbourne were a physical side. Throughout the game they probably edged the exchanges in the scrum and lineout. The loose play was a bit of a lottery at times with both sides falling foul of the referee from time to time. The breakdown was attritional throughout.
Early on Tom Howard was put in space on the left wing but a fine covering tackle stopped his progress. Stringer was productive at centre, always breaking the gain line without making a clean break. Rob Foster had a chip and chase after about 20 minutes with Jack Fisher narrowly missing out on the touch down.
After 20 minutes a late hit on Rob Foster by an Ashbourne play went unpunished. Kier was ‘’accidentally trodden’’ on in front of the ref and had to go off for some medical attention. A high tackle (unseen again) on an Ashbourne play, resulted in some retaliation and a yellow card for an Ashbourne player. This was heavily and loudly criticised by Ashbourne’s ‘’Percy Pig’’ on the sideline who throughout the game could not keep his mouth shut and whose constant unsavoury comments were within earshot of the referee and many of the supporters from both sides.
The half continued in a close run affair. Theo De Vies had a couple of fine breaks, one off a quickly taken ‘mark’. Kier Biggins made a fine covering tackle after a good break from the Ashbourne 12. Rob Foster’s defence was also excellent after the Ashbourne Left wing made a break. Ash intercepted late in the half but was tackled well by the last man.
After 34 minutes came the 1st break through with a penalty on the Ashbourne 22. Euan converted for a 3-0 half time score.
Playing into the elements of sun and wind did not present a problem for Melbourne, who dominated the second half with territory and possession. Stringer and Pagey continued to run well. A penalty was missed after 60 minutes. From the ensuing 22 drop out, the ball was recycled to put Watty in space on the right wing, but his chip and chase came to nothing.
There then followed a 5 minute period of Melbourne domination in the Ashbourne 22. First of all a 5m scrum, followed by a succession of 5-6 penalties, one of which saw another yellow card for Ashbourne. Eventually the ball was moved across the back line, for the loitering Will Judge (wearing heavy eye make) to pass to Theo to score. 8-0.
10 minutes remained and Ashbourne threw everything at Melbourne reducing the deficit with a penalty in front of the posts. 8-3. Melbourne were penalised at a lineout and Ashbourne had one last chance to score, finally being thwarted by a Jack Fisher tackle in the corner.
Final score 8-3
Thanks to all the players – forwards were exceptional, but man to man from 1-15 an excellent display of rugby. Excellent defence. Improved discipline after a shaky first quarter and certainly improved discipline with more nifty footwork from some of the Ashbourne players than is normally seen on Strictly Come Dancing (ask Kier!)
Thanks to The supporters, Macer for sponsoring the match ball, Harpurs for the bar, Watty (standing in for The Gaffer) and Mids.