Match Report 

Congratulations to Bethan Boyse , Katherine Holdgate, Emma Fox and Anna McDonald who are now only one selection away from an England appearance – a possible first for Melbourne RFC ?

Buxton arrived with and impressive squad of 18 players and kindly agreed to lend us two to make it a 15 aside match.

Melbourne kicked off in blustery conditions which did  impact on both the running and kicking game.As a result the forwards decided to take control and set the pattern of the game in the first 10 minutes .Buxton rarely got their hands on the ball and when they did found themselves going backwards in the rucks, mauls and scrums! Elodie Marsh opened the scoring with a strong run off a maul followed by an excellent no 8 pick up off the back of a scrum from Anna McDonald. Having had all the possession in the first half 10 points did not feel enough against a side fielding an England Under 18 international at number 8 .But with the wind behind us and a determination get a home win the forwards kept up the pressure. The feature of the second half was the power of the driving mauls and the pushing in the scrums. Bethan Boyse picked up a third Melbourne try from a Maul followed by a second for Elodie .The result was secured by a 50 yard break from Amy Sheldrake coming into the line at pace. Final score 25:0 to Melbourne . Highlights for me were the dominance of the front row , the straight running from all the players and the strength of tackling when Buxton were camped on our line and very close to scoring. Player of the match went to Kelsi Butler for confident performance at lose head prop. Saskia Pilbeam won the champagne moment for an astonishing tackle on the Buxton second row – not only was she twice her size – this was Saskia’s  first ever game of rugby – well done ! Thanks to Buxton who are a pleasure to play and who I am sure will be looking for revenge next time we meet.