Melbourne knew going into this game that they were going to have to play alot better that they did in the game played at Chesterfield earlier in the season and also in their last game against Ayelstone Athletic if they were going to get a positive result from this fixture. 

There was a strong wind blowing directly up field and also the rain, hail and at times bright sunshine were to play a major factor on the result. Chesterfield won the toss and decided to play against the wind in the first half, this put the pressure on Melbourne to score as many points as possable in the first half.

Melbourne started the game strongly with some good hard runs from the forwards and tactical kicking by Dean Sylvester to keep the play in the Chesterfield 22.

The pack was bolstered by the return of Clayborn and Holden in the front row and Kier Biggins in the backrow, Holdens throwing at the lineout was very accurate considering the strong wind and Melbourne used the rolling mauls very effectively to gain valuable ground to edge towards the try line. The first try came after a good drive from Clayborn and Woodcock and then quick hands from Oxspring to Sylvester and finally to Rob Foster to force his way through the defence to score under the posts, Thornton converted to start the scoring 7:0.

Melbourne were constantly on the front foot causing the referee to penalise Chesterfield on numerous occasions, this gave Melbourne good field position to increase the pressure on their North Derbyshire opponents. Melbourne increased the score to 10:0 after a penalty from Thornton.

Thornton then became try scorer himself after some good phases resulted in an overlap for the backs, Matt Brown was unlucky not to score in the corner but as the ball was spun open there was room for Thornton to score to the right of the posts, converting his own try to increase the score 17:0.

Chesterfield had been rattled by this early onslaught and found themselves giving more penalties away trying to prevent the Melbourne pack from dominating the forwards battle. The next try came from a penalty in the Chesterfield 22, Jake Oxspring pulling the defence away and Ian Lucas switching to find the gap and carry the last defender over the line to score, Thornton converting 24:0.

The lineouts had become a good source of possession for Melbourne, winning their own ball easily and putting considerable pressure on the Chesterfield line, even if they didn't win the ball good pressure from Macer and Biggins forced the flyhalf to hastily kick for touch to give the advantage back to Melbourne. The next try was from a lineout, caught in the middle and a well worked rolling maul was pushed over the line for Woodcock and Judge to fight it out for try scoring honours, an excellent conversion from Thornton increased the score to 31:0.

With minutes of the first half remaining the play was again deep in the Chesterfield half and a good move in the backs found Thornton hit the line at pace, he had only the fullback to beat and did so easily to score under the posts, converting yet again to make the half time score 38:0.

The second half was always going to be difficult with the wind and rain even though it did ease back at times to Melbourne's advantage.

Chesterfield threw everything into attack and spent the first fifteen minutes pressurising the Melbourne line, some good defence kept them out and eventually Melbourne cleared their lines to take the play into the opposing half.

Pop Lakin and Ray Sparkes replaced the ever impressive Woodcock and knackered Andy Holden (but having contributed greatly to the lineouts and overall strength to the pack). The scrums were now being dominated by the Melbourne pack and they found themselves deep into the Chesterfield half without being able to increase the scoreline, Matt Brown again deciding to run through the last defender instead of diving for the corner for a certain try.

Chesterfield did hit back with a try in the latter stages, a little of ill-discipline from Melbourne gifting Chesterfield three penalties on the Melbourne 5mtr line, tackles were flying in from everywhere before they ran out of players and the red and whites crossed the line, the conversion was missed 38:5.

This was to become the final score, a good first forty minutes by Melbourne had really finished the game off by half time, but some dogged defence in the second half and overall commitment was pleasing. Belper away and Tupton at home in the next two weeks will determine if Melbourne are to play for promotion in the final two matches at N.Derbyshire and at home to Dronfield.

Man of the Match: James (the Tank) Thornton

Team

1. Clayborn
2. Holden
3. Collin
4. Judge
5. Woodcock
6. Macer
7. Biggins
8. Lucas
9. Oxspring
10. Sylvestor
11. Watts
12. Foster
13. Thornton
14. Brown
15. Perry
16. Lakin
17. Sparkes