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Melbourne's long unbeaten league run came to an end with defeat at
Uttoxter, the team had some changes with 290 point Euan Holden being
injured Captain Merve, Judgie and Pete Birchall all being unavailable,
but the team that was put out still had plenty of first team experience
and I recognized several of the Uttoxeter players as those who had
been in their 2nd team earlier in the year.
Match Report
Dave Lowson, and Keir returned after quite long breaks and Deano
slipped in at fly half. 2nd team captain Nigel Breakwell was pressed
into action in the 2nd row and as principal lineout jumper.
This was an important game for Uttoxeter if they are to keep any
hope alive of being promoted but it was also a must win for Melbourne
if they are not to have to scrap it out to the last day against Belper.
The game was played on Uttoxeters narrow pitch, but the going underfoot
was OK, there was a breeze blowing against Melbourne in the first
half. The Uttoxeter team was on the whole younger than the Melbourne
team and looked fit.
The game kicked off and for the first ten minutes it looked liked
Melbourne would be OK, the Melbourne pack were far better drilled.
Catching clean ball in the line outs, holding our ball in the scrums
and turning over a fair amount of Utoxeter ball. This resulted in
a number of try scoring opportunities, from a few yards out, none
of which were converted. Jake scoring a try 5 yards out was the funniest.
Uttoxeter started to get into the game after defending well and were
using the wind well, their kicking was always into space behind of
between wingers and full back.and Melbourne were unable to clear decisively
allowing Uttoxeter to pressurize without really looking like scoring.
Ian Lucas went to the blood bin Then came the best move off the game
Uttoxeter won good ball in the line and it flew out to the wing. a
bit of a quick interpassing and they scored in the corner, followed
by a good conversion. 7-0.
Melbourne then proceeded to huff and puff to try and draw level,
we had some good drives off line outs, but our backs were often left
stranded taking man and ball as Uttoxeter played the ref well.
Half time and Pete Welsh was not happy, but apart from try harder
there were no great changes we could make.
The 2nd half kicked off and Melbourne were on the front foot again,
Melbourne won a penalty and missed it after exerting some pressure,
from the 22 yard re-start Uttoxter were awarded a scrum, for the fist
and only time in the game we drove them back only to stand up to see
a Uttoxeter back dancing through 7 tackles to score, 14-0 and Melbourne
were in a mess.
Devanny then was injured and Young Watts came on, Melbourne began
to really press, for the next 30 minutes we had the bulk of the procession
and territory and began to really put Uttoxeter under pressure. To
there credit Uttoxeter never gave in. Many players were held up just
short, including Matt Brown, Young Watts and Stringer, but we never
got that killer move or drive on 5 yards short.
In the line outs Kier and Nigel secured all out own ball all day
and did mess a bit with the Uttoxeter Ball. We resorted to running
short penalties something we have not done all year all to no avail.
In the end a neat chip through saw the ball bounce off a post and
Pop and Macer dive on it with Mace getting the try and picking up
an injury. 14-7 and 20 minutes to go.
Fossie converted and shortly afterwards, we won another penalty that
Rob slotted 14-10. I for one thought we would go on to win the game,
but Macer had to depart the field and Uttoxeter really started to
up their game, some claimed they were off side etc, but the ref applied
the laws evenly and they just tried very hard.
Stringer had a run from deep but really Melbourne stopped creating
chances and most of the game was played out in midfield. Young Bignall
chased down some clearances well.
Final score 14-10. Melbourne probably had most of the ball and territory
but its fair to say Uttoxeter deserved the win, they were fully committed
and snuffed out Melbourne, the narrow pitch did not suit us, but in
the whole game I can not think of a clean break by a Melbourne player
and we lacked the flair that showed up in the Uttoxeter team when
they scored.
In the line outs where we were potentially weak, Nigel and Keir did
Well and Young Watts and Bignall showed a lot of pace when the came
on. All in all a fair result.
With Rolls Royce and Belper getting wins, its a real challenge to
get promotion.
Team
- Stowell
- Lakin
- Lowson
- Breakwell
- Welsh
- Macer
- Biggins
- Lucas
- Oxspring
- Sylvestor
- Watts
- Foster
- Devanny
- Stringer
- Brown
- Bignall
- Watts
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