Melbourne 2s 57 - 7 Long Eaton 2s

Melbourne take half an hour to find the line but then score 57 points.

Melbourne restarted their league campaign with the visit of Long Eaton 2s. LE arrived very early and would have been ready for a 2.15 KO. Melbourne had a 21 man squad forward with a bench forward dominated. Dale's shirt was left on the floor for his customary late arrival.

The weather was lovely for October. A strong wind down the pitch wind but warm. The pitch looked great and had nice long grass on it.

The 2nds welcomed Matt Smith and Harry Stephenson for their first games for the 2s. Matt, a long standing Melbourne player knew a couple of the others. The youth is coming through.

Smith, Ballington, Sparked, Cooper, Gale, Brough, Lawson, Stephenson the forwards
Greenhalgh, Hollingsworth, Ilott, Vincent, Bilson, Mallett and Foster the backs
Day, Macken, Thompson, Lamb and Parnall on the bench.

The first 30 minutes were tight. Melbourne played into the strong wind and went close through Mallett, Bilson and Foster. Smith, Ballington and Stephenson all carried strongly. Long Eaton probed but were met with solid defence. Sparkes throwing in was accurate in the strong wind. Melbourne edged the scrum.

On 32 minutes, Melbourne finally scored with a strong run from 40m from Danny Lawson. Josh Mallet swallow dived soon after following a fine break by Dale. Dale scored the final try of the half, again from long distance.

Half time 21-0

The ref reckoned it was a 3 Try wind but not to the side playing into the wind.

Foster rang the changes with the bench coming on. Dale kicked an early penalty. Macken made a superb tackle on the LE 13 and then shortly afterwards did the same again, knocking him backwards.

Trys followed regularly. Ballington from short range. Bilson in the left corner. MAcken from half way. Lawson from half way and finally Hollingsworth ghosted in without pulling a muscle.

LE scored a consolation try through their powerful winger.

Dale kicked 8 out of 9

Final score 57-7

Great result. Some great play. Snowey managed the game from 9 and gave Al Hollingsworth good ball that the hard working forwards provided. Some cohesion needed at times and knowledge of the moves. Forwards played the patterns that the coaching is introducing.