Melbourne Grind out bonus point win against Dronfield

Trys - Rob Foster, Will judge (2) and Olly Page, with Euan Holden converting 1

Match Report by Morris Hall

A big tackle by the new flanker and a bonus point secured
Melbourne had their heads high after last week’s big win over Stamford, they soon dropped when the heavens opened and it looked like they were going to be swimming to the try line rather than running. Luckily it passed over and simply softened the ground, Melbourne started strong with Watty making big runs and heavy tackles the forwards were quick behind him with powerful carries and quality rucking they soon forced errors on Dronfield. With a quick tap penalty from pagey and some good handling (of which I’m sure the forwards were involved in) rob foster scored near the posts and a conversion from Euan 7-0. With another strong chase from the kick off Melbourne were immediately putting pressure on the startled Dronfield pack, after a few phases the ball went loose in their 22 and the winger was forced to carry it out 8yards from the try line, a tight and tidy line out was taken and with a well organised maul the pack drove over Dronfields line and Will Judge put it down for 12-0 with only 10minutes gone Melbourne were getting cocky and thought a walk over was coming their way.
Donfield proved them wrong with some big runners breaking through the game line and finding the gaps and after a few phases they bundled over the line for a try in the corner, their kicker was evidently on form and converted for 12-7. This was a wake up and Melbourne slowed down and played some simple rugby, the ball swapped hands from team to team a few kicks went nowhere and with some standard terrible rugby banter the game became a little settled until the new stand in 7 put a massive tackle in on dronfields prop driving him back a good 10yards questioning “Andrew” Lowerys 1st team position. The forwards carried on mounting the pressure and another line out 5yards short of the line they drove Dronfield out of the way for Will Judge to put down again 17-7 HT.
Melbourne knew Dronfield would come at them strong for 10minutes and that they did putting pressure on Melbourne’s defence but the fortress didn’t crumble, a penalty was awarded (I think) and they slotted it through for 17-10. More pressure was put on Melbourne only yards off their line and Dronfield went over only for it to be disallowed. Melbourne’s scrum and the forwards were impressive (as usual) at some point Dronfield scored another 3 and lost a player to a yellow card, Melbourne forced play and created too many errors for the next 10-20mins. In the end Melbourne managed to play a few phases without knocking on or getting turned over and showed their strength with Pagey scoring. Final score 22-13, in short the forwards were magnificent and the backs showed up.