Melbourne secure bonus point win

Ian Master's MOTM - Euan Holden. Big games from Big Sam, Watty and Smithy.

Match report by Theo De Vies

Melbourne welcomed a high-flying Stamford side to Cockshut Lane, determined to avenge their early season defeat in the reverse fixture. Stamford arrived early-doors in their party bus and looked confident of claiming another scalp on their travels, kitted out in some very eye-catching purple and black uniforms, putting the Green Army’s recent shambolic stash order to shame.
Melbourne were once again were left without some of their most experienced forwards – Andrew Lowery sitting out with a massive jaw, Dan Walker still struggling with a hernia and Gary Lakin away on international duty. In came Jake Walker, Sam Stuart, Jacob Watts and the returning Will Judge. Chris Wiseall kept his place in the back row alongside Morris Hall, with Rob Foster thankfully returning to his wing position.
After the referee and his son made sure that their microphones and ear-pieces were in working order, Stamford got the game going. Melbourne started the game at a fast pace with the forwards, particularly Watts and Stuart, breaking tackles and getting across the gain-line with regularity. Stamford managed to weather the early storm and gained the lead after a penalty was awarded for some sort of infringement on the ground. Melbourne did not let this affect their early momentum and were soon ahead after a great line-out from Walker and the forwards allowed Ashley Stringer to bundle his way over the line. Euan Holden missed the conversion, with the wind leaving the ball hanging in the air. Melbourne were beginning to break tackles with ease and were off-loading past the tackle with great success. After more great work from the forwards, the ball was reversed by Oliver Page and Jack Fisher touched down in the corner. The Green Army managed one more try before half-time, with Stringer using his new-found strength and speed to go under the posts. With the half-time whistle approaching, Melbourne gifted Stamford a try when Page got confused and passed to their second row 20 metres out. Half time: Melbourne 17-8 Stamford.
The second half followed a very similar pattern to the first with Melbourne’s forwards working hard in the tackle and securing ball for Page at scrum-half. Foster, moved to the flank after an injury to Wiseall, was becoming increasingly concerned about his status as leading try-scorer and tried to rip the ball from Judge as he fell over the line to score Melbourne’s fourth try and secure the bonus point. Melbourne continued to pile on the pressure and eventually the referee saw fit to send the Stamford hooker to the bin after a succession of late tackles and illegal actions at breakdowns. Fisher got over the line again to equal Foster’s tally of nine for the season after a great pass from Holden, who converted the points. Fisher’s influence on the game continued to grow – he kicked a ball to touch for the first time this season and also floated a lovely pass out wide to young, frustrated winger Joe Stuart. Stuart had visions of a solo try until the Melbourne full-back managed to knock it out of his hands and spoil any chance of him touching the ball in this fixture. Somebody else then scored a try (apologies) (Euan Holden) and Melbourne rounded off a memorable display with a great team effort – Fisher beat his opposite man and passed inside to the full-back who in turn found Wiseall who had the awareness to offload in the tackle to Mat Smith, a revelation at prop, who scored under the posts. Holden converted to take his tally to 10 (edit 15 pts) points for the match.
The forwards were immense and provided an excellent platform, both in the loose and at the set-piece, for the backs to mess about with the ball. All in all, this was an excellent performance from Melbourne who put to the bed the disappointment from last week’s demolition at league-leaders Belgrave and, barring any administrative errors, will see the Green Army playing for a second season in Midlands 2.