1st Team
Matches
Sat 23 Oct 2021  ·  Midlands 2 East (North)
Melbourne RFC
1st Team
Tries: E Holden, T Warren, j pearceConversions: J Rudd (3)Penalties: J Rudd
24
19
Long Eaton
Melbourne 24 - 19 Long Eaton

Melbourne 24 - 19 Long Eaton

Peter Ilott23 Oct 2021 - 16:49
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The "Proclaimers" record late win against "Mighty Blues"

Long Eaton travelled the short distance to Cockshut Lane, Melbourne in Round 4 of the Midlands League Campaign. Melbourne welcomed the Blues in what has in recent years always been a hard fought and close encounter. The Green and Golds held the underdog status following the impressive wins and performances Long Eaton had attained in pre-season and the start of their league campaign, boasting a string of ex-professionals and former Nottingham players in Murray McConnell, Tom Holmes and Will Millett as well as the powerful ex-Caldy prop John Collister who all started for the Blues.

Melbourne rung several personnel changes from the recent cup game against Spartans. The wings saw Lawson and Mallet return, the pack included Whiteford and Percival, with Iliffe and Saunders completing the backrow. On the bench it was pleasing to note the returning Whitten recovered from injury, Nate Bevan Brown maintaining his strong start to the season and Andy Gates making his home debut, a welcome and class act for sure.

With Melbourne receiving the kick-off their was an opportunity to make a statement and take a firm grip of the game. This, however, could not have been further from the real time event as a charged down kick led to an immediate line-out for the visitors who mauled well and benefited from missing defence to allow the impressive Giddings to drive over for the first score of the game and successful conversation from Millett. 0 - 7

After the shock and slow start Melbourne grew into the game and had good possession and direction, negated by excellent aggressive defence. Pearce went off into the blood bin, his usually full bodied lips were missing half the flesh following a three man collision, replaced by Gates. The Blues were a classy outfit with excellent organisation, there defence soon paid dividends when a loose ball was turned over with Powell, Milton and McConnell capitalising on the mistake spreading the ball wide and creating an overlap through excellent support play for the games second try, again converted by Millett 0 -14.

Despite the score, Melbourne had had the lions share of possession and tested the Blues defence on a number of occasions. The set piece also saw Melbourne have a slight edge with several turnovers at the line out, with a sterling shift from Whiteford and a slight advantage against a bigger heavier pack at scrum time.

This set the foundation for Melbourne's first response, with Percival carrying hard before the ball was moved wide right, Holden stepping back inside to offset the defender and stretch for the first of Melbourne's scores. Rudd converted. 7-14

Long Eaton looked to reclaim some possession and used their set piece for their third try with ball secured off the top and a series of powerful carries taking the Blues close to the home try line. Melbourne were stubborn in their own defence and made Long Eaton work hard for their final score of the match with the conversion missed 7 - 19.

Melbourne remained calm and were patient in their play, with a penalty awarded for a ruck infringement the decision for points over field position was decided by the Captain with Rudd adding the extra 3 points just before half time taking the score to 10 -19.

The second half was a similar tale, in so much as Melbourne continued to have majority possession but with the very real threat of counter attack from Long Eaton. The third quarter saw a fine contest and balanced match with some great running lines from Millett, Milton, Davidson and Veenendaal testing the Melbourne defence. Gates and Smith's experience and ability to read the game saw a number of huge and decisive hits made in the middle of the park helping to shore up the game and lead the team forward. Melbourne's kicking game was a little off peak at times and possession was wasted on a couple of occasions allowing the Blues to pile on the pressure which was withstood by the hosts.

Following a series of hard carries Melbourne moved the ball wide right before a quick return centre saw a driving run lead to Melbourne's second score through Tom Warren. Again Rudd converted. 17-19

Whitten and Bevan-Brown entered the fray bringing much needed energy and impetus to Melbourne's quarters. Pearce was also brought into wing for the cramping Lawson!

A tense finale ensued with both sides remaining pretty well disciplined, the game could have gone either way but the ascendancy was swinging in Melbourne's favour and direction. Pearce made an almost immediate impact as he sniffed out an overlap taking man and ball in the tackle.

The final minutes of the game saw Melbourne lift there efforts. Strong carries by Rosamond, Pearce and Bevan Brown saw Melbourne get close to the visitors line. Quick thinking by Pearce saw him drive through the ruck and a gap in the defence to sprint through and dot down the match winning try converted by Rudd. 24-19

A truly memorable and wonderful team performance from the men in green and gold against a classy, well coached and competitive Long Eaton side who will trouble all sides this season.

Try - Holden, Warren and Pearce
3 conversions and 1 penalty Rudd
MOTm - Scott Whiteford

Match details

Match date

Sat 23 Oct 2021

Kickoff

15:00

Competition

Midlands 2 East (North)

League position

2
Melbourne
5
Long Eaton
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Club Sponsor - Adrian Wagstaff Financial Planning
Club - Meaks of Melbourne
Players - B&B Groundcare
Club Sponsor - Melbourne Assembly Rooms
Club and Shirt Sponsor - Crocker Bros
Club Sponsor - Green Empire Gardens
Club Sponsor - HUUB
Club Sponsor  - LAURALU
Player Sponsor - DONOTAGE
Shirt Sponsor - Academy - Sharps
Club  - ASBC Conservation and Heritage
Club sponsor - Mertrux
Club - Melbourne Inn
Club Sponsor - Trent Adventure
Club Sponsor - Benz Bavarian
Club Sponsor - BENCHMARK INTERNATIONAL
Player & Club - TW PLUMBING HEATING & BATHROOMS
Player - PROMINENT
Club Sponsor - TUK RURAL
Club Sponsor - VERTU HONDA
Player Sponsor - TYKO Electrical Services Ltd
Player Sponsor - GRM
Player - KW TILING & BATHROOMS
Club Sponsor - Positive ID Labels
Club Sponsor - We Stay
club Sponsor - David Stanley Transport Group
Club Sponsor - The Shed
Shirt, board, player  - Pearce Landscapes
Corporate Club Sponsor - Highfield Premium Gins
Pitch Side Banner & After Match Shirts Sponsor - P B Landscapes of Melbourne
CLUB Sponsor - Veteran Fire Safety
Corporate Sponsor - Dragon Soop
Club Sponsor - Pitch-side Banner, 3XV Team Sponsor & Training Top - Harpurs of Melbourne
Pitch Side Banner Sponsor - Trav-All
Club Sponsor - Staunton Harold Nurseries
Player Sponsor - Des Gosling Mobility
Pitch Side Banner Sponsor - Melbourne Lets
Club Sponsor - Breedon Priory Health Club