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Written by John Stokes
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Wednesday, 12 November 2008 |
The Melbourne squad
turned up on a wet and windy Sunday, fully expecting a tough morning against a
well drilled Derby outfit. And nobody left disappointed.
Match 1: Derby 5, Melbourne 10 ; Match 2: Derby 5, Melbourne 20; Match 3: Derby 10, Melbourne 0
Melbourne A
(Chariotts) was played in driving rain. It was Melbourne who adapted best
with the forwards charging into battle and the backs handling the slippery ball
surprisingly well. Josh BJ and Ollie Cope were loving it. Thomas Brown was
playing his usual intelligent game and we always looked up for the challenge.
Harry Duffy was having the game of his life, relishing the conditions and
scaring the life out of Derby with his determined running. Time after time Harry
was seen head down, running at the Derby forwards, taking his team 20 or
sometimes 30 yards forward. Melbourne's first try came from nothing.
Jack Bull ghosted through a lame tackle and found himself with a chance to
stretch his legs. And once Jack's gone there's no catching him so, calm as you
like, Melbourne were one try to the good. Calamity from the kick off saw Melbourne in
self-congratulatory mood. It seemed relatively simple for Derby to go straight
down the other end for an equaliser. All the good work undone! A heroic
last-ditch tackle from James Davies couldn't quite save the day and was enough
to put him out of the game. Melbourne responded magnificently. The
pitch got heavier (reminiscent of the muddy Somme on this remembrance Sunday)
and Harry Duffy's never-say-die attitude shone through. James Sookias was
darting here, there and everywhere before Tom Brown took the ball over the line
for Melbourne's second try. Josh BJ and Callan Harvey tackled like demons to
keep Derby at bay. The ref seemed determined to play some Alex Ferguson over
time (ie, keep playing until they score!) but we held on for a memorable
victory. Result of match 1: Derby 5, Melbourne 10
Man of
the match: Harry Duffy - probably playing for the YouTube camera but, what a
performance!
Melbourne B [Saxons]
Melbourne's clean shirted team came out for match 2. The pitch
was nicely churned and the clean shirts didn't stand a chance! Our players
seemed determined to prove they should have been starting in game 1 and went
about their business in Harry Duffy style. This match seemed to be the coming of
age of players such as Josh Suddaby, Peter Williams and Daniel Wain - all of
whom had their best ever games. Josh used his big frame as a battering ram and
was at the centre of everything. He was ably assisted in the thick of things by
a storming George Thomas performance. Josh's rhino charging took Melbourne to
within 5 metres before a quick penalty saw Joseph Travers scamper over for a
try. A slender half time lead was built on in a superb second
half onslaught. Peter Williams was having a stormer, spinning the ball
intelligently for the backs to feed off. Josh Suddaby went over for his first
ever try - and what a well-deserved effort it was. Unstoppable! Ewan Ferguson
was everywhere before Luke Walsh waltzed in for Melbourne's third. Charlie
Tomlinson was busy handing out tackling lessons before Luke nipped in for his
second and Melbourne's fourth try. I'd rate this as one of
Melbourne's best ever team performances. It's pleasing to see a squad developing
where there's strength in depth. If any of the lads from game 1 think they're
safe, then think again. This display shows that everyone has to be on top of
their game - consistently! Final score match 2: Derby 5, Melbourne 20
Man of
the match: Josh Suddaby - unstoppable driving plus a superb
try
Game 3...[mixed teams]
possibly a match too far on this freezing Remembrance Sunday. Derby's huge squad
enabled them to bring a completely new set of players with clean shirts and
fresh legs while our patched-up battle-weary boys went, once more, into the
breach. The only disappointing aspect of the morning was a reluctance of some of
our so-called ‘big players' to turn out in match 3. Yes, it was freezing cold,
but if your team needs you and your manager asks you, the answer has to be a
resounding ‘yes!' Especially with the performances from the players in game
2! There's no questioning the commitment of those who
entered the fray. Ollie Cope warmed himself up with a couple of crunching
tackles. Joe Travers seemed up for just about anything. George Thomas, Peter
Williams and Ben Goddard chased everything, even lost causes. Josh BJ held the
backs together with some excellent leadership but, in the end, the fresh legs
told and Melbourne went down two tries to nil Final score match 3: Derby
10, Melbourne 0Man of the match: Josh BJ - sterling work in difficult
conditions
reporter
- MOTTY Cope
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