Dan, Smithy and Coyney in the front row with theJudge brothers providing bulk (well Will anyway). A strong back row of Lowery, Biggins and Watty. Pagey was at 9, after a stint at Broadstreet, Euan 10 with Fish and String in the centres and a back 3 of Joe, Fossie and Theo.

Ashby kicked off and Melbourne knocked on. The scrum held firm, Ashby ran a couple of phases and knocked on themselves. From the Melbourne scrum, Pagey kicked for territory.

The nfirst 7 minutes saw Melbourne dominate possession and territory. They won a couple of penalties. Kier was strong and eventually Melbourne got a penalty in front of the posts for Euan to kick 3-0.
Ashby came back with Coyney penalised for not rolling away (something he has perfected with ball in hand) but not at the tackle. Kier managed to steal the ball again and made ground. Melbourne continued to control. Strong at Lineout and comfortable at scrum, it was only a matter of time. A few passes were forced. Pagey's presence saw a quicker link with forwards and backs, something missing this season.
Euan dummied and went through a space but it came to nothing

Kier turned over another ball and Melbourne found themselves in the corner. Another penalty conceded from Ashby (lazy running but lucky not to get a yellow card as the ref did not identify which player) saw Euan take another 3 points – 6 – 0.

Melbourne continued to play strong. Stringer broke tackles, popped to Foster and Will Judge with the last pass going begging.
Finally after 36 minutes, Melbourne broke through. Quick ball from Pagey, to Euan, Inside to Theo, inside to Ash to Watty to canter around under the posts right in front of the cheering Melbourne fans. Euan converted – 13-0

On the stroke of half time, Pagey scored. From a set move off the scrum, Watty popped, Pagey hit the gap, dummied and scored in the corner. The old boys watching appreciated that a move first conceived 20 years ago was still scoring trys. Euan converted 20-0 half time score.

I got a bit lost near the bar for the second half.

Ashby came at Melbourne strongly and had 20 minutes of good territory without really threatening. Melbourne defence was superb, holding Ashby out, forcing turnovers. On a rare sortie into Ashby ground Jack Fisher kicked a penalty – 23-0

Tom Lowery, Morris and Pop were all on now.

Pagey linked well with all the backs when Ashby kicked, especially Theo. Ashbys game plan of pop to the big boys did not work, and neither did the reserve ploy of little kicks over.

Fish got a yellow card for petulance – knocking the abll out of the Scrum halfs hands.

Melbourne ended up in Ashbys corner and from a line-out, catch and drive, Will Judge scored a try. Euan converted from the touchline – 30-0

With 10 minutes to go Melbourne went for the bonus point Try and after 78 minutes they got it. Someone turned the ball over and Tom Lowery latched onto it finishing strongly in the corner.

Final score 35-0

Great performance in front of a very good crowd.

All 18 stood up to be counted and were. Pagey provided the missing link. Ian Lucas (being a forward) chose Michael Lowery as his MOTM