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Melbourne have 4 or 5 potentially tough fixtures left this year if
they are to win promotion and Leesbrook away was certainly one of
them. Over the past few years the matches between the two teams had
been close and hard fought affairs and the home clash had been a hard
fought win earlier in the season.
Match Report
Melbourne made a few changes from the winning team at Tupton, Bob
Stowell, coming in at losehead and Pete Birchall swapping to tighthead,
the injured Keir being replaced by Merve going into the back row,
Jake Oxspring coming in at scrum half, and Matt Brown moving back
from scum half to winger.
Merve was very fired up against his old team and was clear that this
was going to require hard work and a complete team effort.
The Leesbrook team consisted of their usual large and vintage pack
but augmented by some pace on the wings and in the centres.
Melbourne played against the wind in the first half and were playing
out of the boggiest end of the pitch. Melbourne probably expected
Leesbrook to be on the front foot and using the wind from the off
but this was not to be, the first qtr of the game was mainly Melbourne,
without completely subduing Leesbrook, Melbourne had the bulk of the
ball, held their own ball in the scrums with ease, did better than
50/50 in the line outs and much to the spectators surprise got some
good forward drives going. Melbourne had the classier looking backs
who made lots of breaks and the forwards turned over a lot of ball
by getting in numbers to the breakdown.
  
Jake was making a lot of quick breaks and Ian Lucas seemed to be
making more of an impact. Deano and the wingers were solid under any
kicked ball and made some good tackles.
This dominance was rewarded with a succession of try scoring chances
and 3 penalties that were kicked very cleanly by Euan 9-0 after 15
minutes.
Then took place perhaps the most important 10 minutes of the game,
Leesbrook used the wind and got into the Melbourne half and then began
to apply some real pressure, Melbourne soaked it up, but Leesbrook
won a series of penalties that they chose to run. ( I think Melbourne
would have taken the points) each time Melbourne held firm., Leesbrook
had a number of short scrums and line outs but could not break down
Melbourne. Whilst Leesbrook kept the ball close to the pack they could
keep procession but as soon as it came out the Melbourne team were
up in their faces and turned it over.
  
In the end Leesbrook elected to take a penalty kick and the score
was 9-3. The game was at a tipping point and the next score was vital,
fortunately for Melbourne they were able to re assert themselves and
from a set move at a shortened line Judgie skipped into score, 14-3,
this was quickly followed by another Euan Penalty 17-3 at half time.
Merve was very pleased with the performance
In the 2nd half Melbourne had the wind and straight way used it to
good effect, Melbourne spent the next 15 minutes in the Leesbrook
half. The first try went to Ian Lucas who lurked in the back line
to run in a try, then Judgie was driven over from 5 yards out. Both
tries converted by Euan, 31-3. and Euan also got a penalty 34-3.
Melbourne were playing well but Leesbrook had the problem that they
were getting so many scores behind and so deep in their territory
that the close forward work would not yield points, they had to play
a bit faster and looser and that suited Melbourne.
  
With 20 minutes to go, Watts came on for Brown, Dave Lowson for Bob
and Bell for the injured Macer. Melbourne continued to press and Euan
got another penalty 37-3. Shortly afterwards Dave Middleton was injured
and Melbourne had to play out the last 10 with 14 men.
The hole left by Dave Middleton was exploited by Leesbrook who for
once broke the Melbourne line and their winger ran over Matt Brown
to score 37-8.
The last 5 minutes were a bit of a mess, and Leesbrook made one more
break but were held up short of the line 37-8 final score.
A great result for Melbourne and one of the biggest wins over Leesbrook,
the game for the most part had been played in good spirit and had
been reff'd well.
Merve was well and truly pleased with the result which gives his
team a really good chance of promotion.
Team
- Stowell
- Lakin
- Birchill
- Judge
- Welsh
- Macer
- Barr
- Lucas
- Oxspring
- Holden
- Stringer
- Foster
- Middleton
- Brown
- Sylvestor
- Lowson
- Bell
- Watts
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