Melbourne 2s 23 - 21 Derby 3s

Trys - Foster, Ballington.
Bilson - 2 pens, 2 conversion
Foster - Penalty

Melbourne 2s travelled with a bare 16 to Derby 3s for a taster prior to their league game in 2 weeks.

Ballington Parnall Lamb
Lowson Suddaby
Sparkes Brough Gale
Bancroft Foster
Brill Wollard Vincent Bilson Ilott
Butler on the bench

Derby seemed to have 26 players who warmed up with some excellent drills, whilst Melbourne waited for Bancroft to arrive.

Good ref in Dave Miller

Kick off came and Derby conceded 3-4 quick penalties, which Dale converted for 6 points. Melbourne were solid everywhere except the scrum where the 4 stone per man advantage that Derby had, as well as the spare pack on the bench caused Melbourne problems. Scrum time was tough. Lineout good. Open play and defence good. After 2 penalty kicks, another penalty saw Foster catch Derby napping and popped over for a Try. Dale converted. Derby gained territory and scored in the corner from their prop not being able to cross to the open play and crashing over against Wollard who was half his weight!. Again Melbourne pressure told as Ballington crashed over and Bilson converted for a half time of 20-7.

The second half continued with a whole new Derby side (well nearly). The pattern continued with scrum tough, Melbourne strong elsewhere. Melbourne had a try disallowed for a forward pass. The defence was good with Lowson ripping and stealing ball. Craig Ilott put in 2 one-on-one try saving tackles. Derby's pressure eventually told with 2 scores and much excitement from the Derby supporters as they took the lead 21-20. A turnover in the last minute saw Dale in space and his silky running style looked like a certain try until his hamstring popped, the pass went astray, though Melbourne did win a penalty from the ensuing play. Up popped Foster to slot it over to make the score 23-21. Senior Ilott rapidly ripped off his tracksuit to make his one and only appearance of the season to replace Dale, catching the restart and Melbourne winning a penalty. Lineout secured and game over.

MOTM Max Lowson
All 16 contributed. Front row excellent under pressure. Sparkes throwing in superb and Gale, Brough, Butler and Suddaby excelling.
Throw in Bancrofts excellence at 9, Fossies game management at 10, solid play from Vincent, Bilson and the solid back 3 of Wollard, Brill and Ilott it was great.