A nigh on full strength Melbourne 2nds went to play Notts Casuals in the Pennant, the only fly in the ointment was Dave Lowson being a complete idiot and programming his sat nav to Meadow Street in the wrong town so 5 players turned up 40 minutes late. 

Match Report

The team was augmented by a full compliment of subs including Gary Bain ex of Derby Uni (welcome Gary) There was little time to warm up and captain Nigel Breakwell was keen for the team to be fired up from the off. We were

The Notts Casuals team looked strong and large and we knew we would have to be at our best to beat them.

The first exchanges were fairly even Melebourne were playing with the wind and Fully put in some big kicks, in the line out Melbourne were dominant with Dodgie disrupting their put in and Bompie secure in the middle, in the scrums Melbourne were on top despite lots of messing around and player swapping by Notts Casuals who were large but probably a bit fatter than we thought.

The Melbourne pack were a yard or two quicker to most things, but Notts Casuals had some very good and classy backs who had enough pace to capitalize on any errors. After 15 minutes or so one happened when a miss placed pass in midfield resulted in quick turnover ball for Notts Casuals and they ran in an unconverted try.

Gary Bain came on for John Wayne.

The game then change as Melbourne tried a bit harder, Notts Casuals spent a lot of time making breaks close to the ruck and maul and Melbourne got used to soaking up the pressure and eventually turning the ball over. The Melbourne backs tried hard to penetrate but the Notts Casuals were good in defense and held firm until Gary Yates kicked a delightful ball through for a line on the Notts Casuals 5 meters, this was easily won by Bompie and Dodgie pealed off the Maul to score 5-5, Melbourne were now on top and a few minutes later Gary chased a deep kick and tackled the Notts Casuals full back in his 22, the Melbourne forwards were first to arrive and quick ball saw Dodgie score again 12-10.

With a few minutes to go in the half Notts Casuals got a try back when from a line out the centre broke a couple of tackles and scored under the posts 12-10 at half time

PS the Ref had been really good at all times,

The 2nd half saw Notts Casuals make a couple of subs and took their best prop off, Melbourne no longer had the advantage of the wind, but Notts Casuals never really got any ball and after 10 minutes one of their players was sin binned for aiming a punch, this should have been an advantage but the ref called un opposed scrums for 10 minutes and Melbourne could not capitalize.

Still Melbourne pressed Notts Casuals rarely getting out of their half, then Melbourne broke from clean line out ball Gary passed to Paul Thwaites on the overlap but he passed, which went astray (it actually went to a prop (me)) and the ball was picked up by Notts Casuals who scored 17-10

Melbourne did not deserve this, and it really was Notts Casuals only time in the Melbourne 22. A minute later Melbourne got a 5 penalty 5 meters out and were going to take a scrum when the ref mysteriously said he was injured and the game had to stop, as 67 minutes had been played the result went to Notts Casuals. (very very odd)

Melbourne were more than a little disappointed especially as he looked fitter than most of our players,

Notts Casuals were magnanimous in victory but still didn't find a ref or ask for a replay.

Notts Casuals were a good team , probably better than Meden Vale 1sts and Melbourne had played really well, but in this higher pennant league this is the standard we will have to play.

Man of the match to Dodgie, but Gary Yates had a blinder and always looked dangerous, and Gary Bain had a good game on his debut.

Team

1. Lowson
   
2. Cox
3. James
4. Breakwell
5. Wayne
6. Bompie
7. Parkes
8. Sutheran
9. Oxspring
10. Fulton
11. Bennett
12. Thwaites
13. Thomas
14. Yates
15. Brown
16. Gary Bain
17. Phillo
18. Ridges