Melbourne lose last game 20-19 to local rivals

Melbourne made the short trip to Ashbourne on Easter Saturday for their final game of the season. Both sides had multiple changes and Melbourne gave debuts to Tony Day and Ananth Srinivasanth.
Straight from the kick off, Melbourne pressurised and a charged down kick saw a 22 drop out for Ashbourne. Melbourne conceded possession at the 2nd phase ruck and Ashbourne attacked only to knock on after a strong tackle from Devon Iliffe playing in the centre. The first scrum saw a free kick to Melbourne but for the whole game the Melbourne front row were up against it. Euan Holden kicked beautifully into the corner from quick second phase ball. The breakdown was heavily contested and frustrating for both sides as throughout the whole game there were multiple turnovers for both sides. Both sides suffering from lack of support at the breakdown.
After 9 minutes, from a set scrum, the same move as last week scored. Rob Hollingsworth, Oliver Page who went close. Quick ball saw Rob Foster into the corner for a 5-0 lead. The next 15 minutes were very scrappy with penalties, errors and turnovers from both sides. The line outs were a lottery with more throws won against the throw. Ashbourne had the ascendency at scrum where Rob and Pagey had to be sharp throughout.
After 24 minutes Ashbourne equalised after multiple phases with their forwards pressurising constantly. A fine touchline conversion saw Ashbourne take a 7-5 and 5 minutes later they increased this with a penalty after Will Judge failed to release quickly enough at a ruck. 10-5. Devon came off with a hamstring injury to be replaced by Tom Howeard and this saw a reshuffle in the backs with Theo De Vies going to centre.
Jack Pearce scored in the corner just before half time with a fine finish from a Pagey chip to the corner. Euan converting for a 12-10 lead. Melbourne won a penalty from the kick off and PAgey took a quick tap himself and Will Judge made good ground. Theo also made good ground late on, but the Ashbourne tackling was good for the first half to keep Melbourne out.
Half Time 12-10 to Melbourne
Straight from the kick off, Ashbourne upped their game despite conceding a school boy error of having a man in front of the kicker. A 60m Ashbourne break should have scored but for a forward pass. Melbourne began to slip off tackles a bit more than in the first half. Ashbourne continued to have ascendency up front. Melbourne lineout improved with work from Ash Corden and Al Judge but was scrappy and Pagey coped brilliantly with this.
After 47 mins Melbourne conceded a penalty in front of the posts to go 12-13 down. Both sides were happy to run the ball at all times, Ashbourne predominantly with their back row, and Melbourne through their backs with Pagey leading the way. The game was fast and scrappy with end to end play.
Ashbourne extended their lead after 59 minutes with a converted Try 12-20. Straight from the kick Off Ashbourne broke again after weak tackling and went to the Melbourne 5 yard line only to concede a penalty. Melbourne were far from out of the game and had line breaks left and right a few times, without ever being able to make the final pass stick.
After 62 minutes Pagey scored a fine solo Try from the half way line and Euan converted for 19-20. Jack Pearce had a break up the right but elected to chip rather than back himself. Rob and Tommy linked well on the left.
The last 5 minutes saw Ashbourne dominate the scrum. Twice Melbourne were pushed off their own ball. Ashbourne went close in the corner but had a foot in touch, only to come back for a penalty advantage. The attempted pushover Try was thwarted by Pagey. Final score 19-20
Not the best performance from Melbourne, but again a much changed side showing strength in depth. A losing bonus point again. Ian Master’s supporting a fine bandage and half a dozen stitches above his eye voted Oliver Page as MOTM.