Melbourne push Spalding all the way

Match report by Mark Coyne

Melbourne secure a losing bonus point against 2nd place Spalding

Melbourne 14 – Spalding 21
Tries: Ashley Stringer
Pen: Euan Holden x3

Melbourne welcomed a promotion pushing Spalding to Cockshut lane on Saturday in blazing hot South Derbyshire sun. There was real hope of an upset after 4 wins in a row at the fortress but unfortunately a strong defensive display from the visitors stopped this from being a reality.

In what has become standard procedure this season the away team rocked up with more coaching staff, players and Gatorade than you would expect to see from a national team set up. They probably looked at our ‘warm up’ and thought an easy 5 points was on offer but as 6 out of 8 teams have found out that isn’t the case.

Melbourne started the game on the front foot with strong hard running forcing Spalding back towards their own try line. One of the many positives on the day was the ball retention with Melbourne phases reaching double figures regularly. The pressure paid off when the referee awarding a penalty 30 meters out which Euan converted for 3 points. Spalding aren’t 2nd in the league for no reason they worked their way back into the game with big carries from their forwards especially the number 8 who seemed to make yards from every scrum in the first half. Melbourne’s strong defence was eventually breached, a well worked move from a line out in Melbourne’s 22 saw the big second row score. Another penalty from the boot of Euan Holden made the score 6-7 at half time.

Spalding must have had a bit of a talking to at half time as they came out with high intensity and big carries. Melbourne’s defence was strong but it was eventually breached when the Spalding hooker managed to break through and only a last ditched tackle from somebody (sorry) stopped him scoring. Spalding kept the ball alive though and eventually their prop scored in the corner. That was to be his last action in the match as Jack Fisher decided to leave a knee in as he scored, the screams were deafening.

Melbourne came out fighting with the backs running solid lines typified by Theo De Vies doing his usual trick of side stepping every back on the pitch and then finding the biggest forward to run into. Melbourne pressure again paid off with another penalty from Euan Holden.

In a topsy turvy game it was now Spalding’s turn to attack again, their big forwards won a line out and mauled 25 meters towards the try line it looked to be a certain score until Mat Smith took one for the team and illegally brought it down, he was yellow carded. There was no stopping the Spalding forwards though who scored from the resulting penalty.

Melbourne stepped up the intensity and reverted back to their play in the first 20 minutes. Spalding were struggling to keep the relentless attacks at bay and started using underhand tactics. Rob Foster was under a high ball when he was tackled high and in the air the collision would of decapitated your average human being but Rob ‘the neck’ Foster walked of practically unharmed.
The try that was so deserved eventually came with good line out ball allowing phases to develop in the opponents 22. Some good hands from the backs allowed Ashley Stringer to touch down in the corner. Final score Melbourne 14- Spalding 21.

There was a lot of positives to take from the game as it was one of Melbourne’s best team displays despite the loss.