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Melbourne were without Captain Euen Holden who was recovering after his nose operation from the game against Notts Casuals a couple of weeks ago, Peter Welsh took over the skippers duty for the game against top of the table Barton.
Much was said before we went out about taking the game to Barton and try and intimidate their players as much as they use the same tactic themselves. We also had to repay the lads who played Royces last week so a big game was needed from everybody.
Melbourne kicked off and started superbly with a great catch from Keir Biggins who made great yards before passing to the supporting Pete Welsh who took the play deep inside the Barton 22, a couple of forward drives later and Barton conceded the first penalty of the game which Rob Foster slotted home for a 3:0 lead.
Melbourne received the kick off and immediately went on the attack again, Barton once more coming in from on offside position and a penalty to Melbourne that was put deep into the Barton half, a quick line out and drive pegged Barton back further and then a scrum just outside the Barton 22 let Ashley Stringer come in from his wing and break through the first tackle, Keir Biggins was in close support to run in the opening try of the game, the conversion was missed but 8:0 to Melbourne and Barton hadn't even touched the ball.
The game started to settle into a pattern with Melbourne's forwards winning comfortable lineout ball and putting pressure on the Barton scrum, although the backs received good quality ball the Barton defence was as expected up fast and prevented any real attacks they also tested the Melbourne kickers with the odd late challenge. Barton themselves started to test the Melbourne defence with some powerful runs from their backrow but some excellent tackles from Biggins and Smith in the forwards and the backs as a unit kept Barton well away from the Melbourne 22.
Melbourne's next visit into the Barton 22 was again rewarded with a try when an excellent forward drive was finished off by tight head prop Garry Lakin, the conversion was missed but Melbourne were leading 13:0.
Barton did hit back and started to play the kind of rugby that has seen them top the league for the majority of the season. They were first awarded a penalty just outside the 22 that was kicked to close the gap to 13:3, they then pressed again and only resolute defending kept them out, the referee penalising Melbourne for deliberately killing the ball and sending Will Judge to the sin-bin for 10 minutes.
Melbourne hit back and were awarded two kick-able penalties that were both narrowly missed, with less than a minute remaining in the half Melbourne tried to keep the ball safe and away from their own line. Barton did have one last attack and kicked deep into the 22 which Dean Sylvester managed to clear into touch. Unbelievably the referee allowed the lineout, Barton used a well rehearsed 4 man line that saw their flanker drive for the line, although most of the Melbourne players and most of the supporters saw him knock on as he went over the line the referee didn't and awarded the try, the conversion was missed but the half time score was 13:10 to Melbourne.
The half time talk was all about keeping the ball tight up front where we knew we had the advantage, Barton now had the sun in their eyes and it was also time to test their back three with high balls.
The second half was a battle of the defences with both sides snubbing out each others attacks, as the half wore on tempers began to become frayed with Barton becoming more and more frustrated, this played into Melbourne hands with Barton time and again making simple handling mistakes to gift Melbourne scrums to clear any danger. Melbourne worked their way into the Barton half and from another good catch and drive in the line the ball was fed to Paul Devanney who cut through the blitz defence, drew the full back and passed to Keir Biggins who ran in his second try of the game, Rob Foster kicked the conversion to increase the lead to 20:10.
The game was entering into the final ten minutes and for whatever reason Barton were losing all self control putting in blatant late tackles, taking cheap shots and trying whatever means possible to intimidate the Melbourne players, this resulted in the referee becoming increasingly frustrated and awarding Melbourne more and more penalties. In the last play of the game Melbourne's winger was taken out late and the Barton centre decided to follow through with a punch, this led to a brawn involving many players from both sides, after the referee had gained control he red carded the Barton centre and second row and blew up for full time.
Melbourne had beaten the league leaders 20:13 in what for the majority of the game had been played in hard but fair manner, this was a great result for Melbourne and certainly made up for last weeks result. Barton's coach hit the nail on the head when he said that his players needed to learn how to take the intimidation as-well as give it out, a lesson they will need to learn fast if they are to progress up the leagues.
 Man of the Match, with 2 tries, Keir Biggins
Well Done to the Melbourne "Men" and also for the great support from the sidelines, next week sees East Leake visit Cockshut Lane and more of the same will be required.
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