Melbourne edge west bridgford in a thriller

Our games with West Bridgeford are always close, they are a larger older team and we run around a bit more but are not as powerful, this time both teams had no first team fixture so it would be a bit of a lottery if we would both be playing a fist team fixture, a pure 2nd team or a blend.

We had a good squad of 19, Pop, Sparkes, Pip, and Jake Walker. Ed of the colts, Booko and Chris W, and a back row of Dave Porter, Jack Pearce, Devon (who had never played there before) Rich Woodburn, Will C, Fossie, Dale (one off leading scorer)Dan off the colts on one wing Nathan Bishop on the other and Sean at full back. We had Deano as a sub and Karl Fiex on the bench with a very strapped knee.

Bridgeford had a lot of familiar faces, but clearly had a very good full back (James), a 10 with lots of hair who played in the centres and good hooker, it looked like it was going to be a fair contest.

The game started the, pitch was very lovely and good and wide, and there was gusty but not in anyone favour really. The first few minutes were pretty intense but we held our own scrum against a larger pack, (Pip was late so did not start) , after 4 minutes Pop bashed his dose (nose) and had to go off and Pip came on we lost a scrum the ball came to the very lovely James at full back who proceeded to run past us all to score 5-0.

We then went into a period of West Brdgeford pressure we developed a pattern of kicking Ball to Jamie and allowing him to run it back at us, and we were losing our own put in. Bridgeford were larger and it seemed they would score but some heroic tackling saw them held out from one Bridgeford surge a prop knocked on and the ball spilled (the ref who was uniformly excellent all game) allowed advantage, Dave Porter pinched the ball and set off from our try line, made the 22, fed Dale who made lots of yards and then fed Nathan who went in under the posts 7-5 against the run of play.

Things were pretty even for the next 20 with both side playing nice Rugby , Melbourne usually attacked from Deeper and Dan on the wing looked scary, making a few good runs and oddly kicking when normally he would have tried to run through the winger. James was getting less of the ball, but our scrum was under pressure. Our line out was a bit rubbish and lacked any fluency , but when Bridgeford tried to catch and drive we held them very well,

Rich Woodburn was pretty good and getting the ball back from Bridgeford at the back of the scrum with Jack and also messing with Bridgeford ball.

On 34 minutes a break from Dan ended but the ball came back to the half way line and quick hands from Fossie and Sean the Sheep bundles over 12-5.

One of the highlights of this period of play was the turnovers we were getting, Jack and Devon were really to the fore at this, Devon tackling, getting to his feet and turning over ball and Jack trying a more wrapping up approach

12-5 at half time

A good lead at ½ time, but it was clear this game could go either ways.

At half time, Dean came on and we kept rotating in the backs and the forwards.

After 5 minutes Bridgeford got a penalty and got the score back to 12-8. I for one was worried that West Bridgeford was exerting more control and they were beating us down towards our line, we had some really strong tackling from everyone, Jake Walker , Pip and Chris Williams putting in a shift . Then the first of 3 bits of magic from Booko in the afternoon. We cleared our lines and got a line out, Chris Williams caught the ball cleanly and then Pop drove on making ground quickly, it looked like we may drive over, but suddenly booko appeared at the side of the maul pinched the ball and ran un apposed from 10 yard out to score 17-8

We then went into a period of defence, I am not sure we went to sleep, I just think it was a very close game and it came down to errors. We were turned over in midfield after we could have cleared Bridgeford scored 17-13 and then we won good ball from a ruck, but failed to get it away for what seemed like and age, and they scored again 17-20.

I think we were trying a bit too hard and maybe being a bit tentative.

28 minutes gone

Then came the 2nd moment of genius from Booko, the West Bridgeford winger broke clear and had 50 meters to run, he had got away from everyone, but Booko ran across the pitch to tackle him and force him out

Karl came on and on 34 minutes, Jack Pearce really turned the game, from a kick Jack Pearce got the ball made good ground, fed Pop and then quick hands got it back to Nathan Bishop for another try 24-20 (conversion by Dale)

Then on 37 minutes we broke from defence and Dan made good yards, fed Dale and then Fossie who scored 29-20 with 3 to go.

Probably the match was run, but Bridgeford still had time for another try, they had re jigged and big centre crashed over to make it 29-27.

The last minute was a bit squeaky but we held on

Great Win but a great game, I think both side enjoyed it, the ref was great and really let everything flow and as far as I could see there was no back chat etc.

Dan looked really good, Rich Woodburn was very good at Scrum Half, Devon and Jack made a huge difference but the whole team played really well,

MVP between Jack and Richie, but I am going with Richie (again)

3 piece of Skill by Booko involved him getting out of the changing room without paying subs, (saying he had his wallet in Jordans car who had already left and I had seen him go) how did I fall for that!!!

Next week Chesterfield at home, if we play that well again we have a good chance and well done to West Bridgeford they were great as well.