Melbourne v Newark

Sunday saw the arrival of the anticipated NLD cup game. To give it some background all NLD U14 teams were given the option of entering either the Cup Competition or the Shield. The cup was always going to attract the best teams in the 3 counties. As it transpired there are 8 teams competing for the cup compared to 16 vying for the shield.
So we knew we would face the best the 3 Counties has to offer and that came in the form of Newark - a team with many years of top flight rugby to their name.
Sunday saw two teams playing some outstanding rugby for their age - I have seen many senior sides play much worse rugby!
From the off it was clearly going to be a physical game with strong contention at the contact area which meant Melbourne struggled at times to get quick clean ball.
After thwarting Newark in our own 22 we managed to work our way back up the pitch. From a solid scrum Cam managed to pick and go running half the length of the pitch to score under the posts! Newark were quickly back into the game competing very well at the breakdown and putting us back under pressure. However the Melbourne defence continued to be solid with some excellent tackles keeping them out - Adam particularly putting in some strong hits! Newarks pressure finally came through though and managed to touch down over the line for a converted try 7 all!
Melbourne then applied the pressure and worked our way back into the Newark 22. A scrum was then awarded to Newark, the scrums had been rock solid all match with Josh, Billy and Ruben holding the bigger Newark pack comfortably. However this time the front rows slipped leaving Billy with a neck injury - his safety dictated that the match was halted while an ambulance was called - we now know that fortunately he is fine.
At the restart Melbourne maintained the pressure they had been applying making Newark defend our forward pressure resulting in a penalty being awarded to us in a kickable position. Tommy backed himself and the ball only narrowly missed.
Half time still 7 all.
Newark kicked off in the second half and immediately put us under pressure - whilst we absorbed it well Newarks rucking stepped up a level - more aggressive and subsequently robbed us of some possession when we could ill afford to lose the ball. Following some good drives Newark managed to break our defence to score again 14 - 7.
Melbourne again stepped up moving the ball well through the backs, Newark defended well though making us run wide and using the touch line as the 16th man.
We then managed to tie the Newark defence in the centre of the pitch and broke away with four Melbourne players lined up against two Newark defenders - was this the moment to tie the game - knock on! But we knew the break was there!
Newark again stepped up from being on the back foot and applied more pressure - this time even our scrum was under pressure and managed to steal a couple of balls against the head denying Cam the opportunity to challenge the Newark defence again.
Again Melbourne defended aggressively - Thomas Jansen making an outstanding tackle denying Newark a score. But ultimately Newarks pressure broke through scoring their third try and sealing the win.
Newarks cheers as the final whistle blew showed just how hard they had to work for the win.
Melbourne fought well and played excellent rugby for the whole match - whilst there are some things we will work on and develop over the forthcoming weeks every player did an outstanding job and I for one was immensely proud of their performance!
And the great news is we can still win some silverware - we will now play Corsairs on the 10th December for a chance to play in the plate final (not as good as the Cup but better than the Shield).
The match showed us a few things - whilst we are not the best in the 3 Counties we can compete with the best. We don't need to do too much more to be the best, and we should all be incredibly proud of our sons!
See you soon!

Final score 7 - 19

Reported by Peter Welsh