Melbourne secure bonus point win

The 22nd Feb finally saw Melbourne play a home league game against Notts casuals (albeit at Coalville), with the match ball sponsored by Wendy Jennings-Crocker (sunning herself with family) in South Africa. This was a vital game with Notts Casuals on a rich vein of form and only 1 place behind Melbourne in the league table.
With a heavy pitch and a strong wind, Notts Casuals had the wind in their favour for the first half. The first exchanges were tight. Melbourne gained an early penalty only to miss touch. Theo De Vies (for probably the first time this season) dropped a kick return. An early knock on from Notts Casuals saw Melbourne gain possession, with Ash Stringer unable to find Tommy Howard with the pass behind. Dan Walker was penalised at the ensuing scrum to give Casuals a penalty. The following lineout came to nothing. Melbourne won another penalty but missed touch, rather fortuitously gaining a scrum from a knock on. Another penalty was conceded at the scrum but that was the last one Melbourne conceded at the scrum.
After 7 minutes Casuals again knocked on and Theo counter attacked only to lose the ball in contact. Bothe side were struggling with the wind and mud, and Melbourne were definitely rusty Long passes went astray and balls were knocked on at regular intervals. After 15 minutes, Melbourne opened the scoring, despite spending most of the time in their own half. Melbourne won good scrum ball. 2nd phase ball saw Stefan Greenhalgh release Jack Fisher who made ground, the ball was quickly recycled through the hands from Stefan, Ash Stringer and finally Tommy Howard, who finished impressively from the half way with Euan Holden converting – 7-0. Notts casuals continued to press and were rewarded with a try off 2nd phase to make the score 7-7. Another fine counter saw Casuals go close with fine cover defence from Jack Fisher.
Melbourne pressed and had 10 minutes of good pressure in the Casuals half. Will Judge, Gary Lakin Casuals were crafty at the breakdown to prevent Melbourne scoring, and Melbourne eventually conceded a penalty after a high tackle for Will Judge. Melbourne fought their way back into the casuals half though with good work from Theo, Will Pop and Tommy.
Casuals fought their way back after an end to end counter and from the Melbourne Line-out, a mix-up saw Casuals steal the ball for a simple try and a 12-7 half time lead. A rollocking off coach Masters at half time was aimed at Melbourne cutting out the mistakes and winning the game rather than losing it.
The second half saw the first 20 minutes with Melbourne in the Casuals half and Casuals did not enter Melbourne’s half for12 minutes. Melbourne’s scrum was efficient (even taking one against the head) and the line-out was good with Ash Corden and Jacob Watts taking good ball. The handling improved. After 18 minutes Melbourne scored again. A scrum was won against the head, but Melbourne could not score. From a Casuals line-out Melbourne stole the ball, and set up a driving maul, from which Will Judge scored. 12-12 with a missed conversion.
Minutes later a turnover on the Melbourne 22 saw quick hands to Tommy. Tommy kicked and Jack Fisher won the race for another try 17-12. Melbourne were now in the ascendency. After 31 minutes, s strong scrum was won in the midfield. Rob Foster popped up cleverly off his wing and with the defence fixed on Tommy sliced through to score under the posts, for the bonus point score. Euan converted for a 24-19 scoreline.
Notts Casuals had the best of the last 5 minutes and scored a Try themselves to secure a bonus point. Final score 24-19.
A much better second half saw Melbourne come through with better hands and decision making. All the players reacted well at half time to Ian’s advice. Not mentioned so far, the Man of the Match was Michael Lowery.