Seniors' Results

Instead of holding a training session as previously suggested a fixture was arranged at short notice against a Nuneaton 3rd 15, Although Nuneaton are in a far higher league than Melbourne they sent a team that was a fair match for Melbourne and contained a couple of returning stars from their first team.

With no 1st XV and 3rd XV game this week and with quite a few unavailabilities it was decided that we played an A XV fixture. Shepshed phoned us for a game and as they had beaten our promoted second team last year a tough game was expected.

After a lay of of several weeks recovering from world cup glory, the 3rds were back on the road. Unfortunately our full rugby prowess and comittment was'nt dropped off to us until 15 minutes into the game by which time we had conceded 3 poor converted ties. 

Melbourne started this game full of confidence after last Saturday's morale boosting win against Dronfield and having already beaten the students easily earlier in the season, expectations of a ninth straight league victory were high.

If Melbourne are going to be promoted this year, then this is a game they had to win. Both teams had won 7 and lost 1 having lost to North Derbyshire and lay 2nd and 3rd in the league, Dronfield had the better points difference. Melbourne travelled with a full strength team and well prepared for the game.

After a week off for the world cup final Melbourne took on Alyestone St James. The biggest factor in the match was the strong wind that blew straight down the pitch and required different styles of play in each half.

This was the rescheduled fixture from a couple of weeks ago when Ayelstone couldn't field a front row and the game was played as a friendly fixture, which Melbourne won 17:7. Melbourne were hoping that with having to scrummage they would be able to improve on the winning scoreline against their Leicestershire rivals.

Melbourne knew going into this game they were going to have to play better than in previous weeks and with the students easily winning their last four league games, a tough game was expected.