Melbourne started this game full of confidence after good results against East Leake and Cleethorpes in the last two weeks. However North Derbyshire soon bought Melbourne crashing back down to earth. 

Melbourne started the game strongly with a succession of scrums and lineouts in the oppositions 22, but after seeing Robin Clayborn and Ian Lucas picked and driven three yards backwards by the opposition back row the writing was already on the wall.

After a Melbourne attack was stopped just short of the line, the ball was dropped and gathered by the N.Derbys full back who sprinted clear of the Melbourne defense to score under the posts.

This was the springboard the opposition needed and N.Derbys started to secure good clean scrummage and lineout ball, quick second phase that released attacking moves from all their back line.

The half time score was 0:35, with N.Derbys wingers, fly-half and fullback all finishing well drilled moves.

The second half saw a much better forwards battle, with Melbourne dominating the lineouts, and twice being held up over the line after some good forward drives.

To their credit N.Derbyshire slowed the ball from leaving the ruck or maul quickly on most occasions and it wasn't until the last few minutes of the game that the referee showed yellow cards for continuous foul play.

The game was already lost by this point with the opposition backs having scored another four tries, to finish the game at 0:63.

Although heads were down at the end of the game, Melbourne can take heart that they never gave up the chase all afternoon and were up against a set of backs that were playing a standard far below their ability.