Mellish 2nd XV 22 vs 14 Moderns 3rd XV
With a thrown together side including a few retired(!) players on the bench Mellish 2’s opened their Pennant League campaign on the back of a couple of losses. The early signs didn’t look promising as Mellish coughed up possesion easily and Moderns shifted the ball wide to run in almost unopposed from the halfway line and dot down under the posts for a 7-0 lead. After a few stirring words from stand in skipper Kevin Welsh, Mellish attacked with purpose and debutante scrum half Jack Whelbourne kept the Mellish attack moving and Kevin Welsh crossed the whitewash after a period of sustained pressure and Jack Whelbourne added the extra’s to level the scores 7-7. However, Mellish took their foot of the gas and Moderns got back in to the game and added the extra’s to have a deserved 14-7 lead at the break.
After the interval Mellish looked to press their home advantage and after a good set piece display winger Ryan Clarke crossed in the corner with the extra’s missed to close the gap to 2 points (14-12). Sustained pressure and repeated infringements from Moderns saw No. 8 Richard Sands-Ellison add an a further try from a quick penalty to give Mellish a 17-14 lead. A nervous and back and forth last 12 minutes saw Mellish cross once again with Ryan Clarke collecting a brace of tries on the day with the extra’s missed, giving Mellish 2’s a win in a tight local derby.
Mellish Under 16’s
The Under 16 team welcomed a very strong Derby Development team to Mellish on a bright and sunny Sunday morning.
After 7 minutes of the game, Mellish were 21-0 down and without getting their hands on the ball. However, the U-16 pack started to get on top and after a line out and drive Joe M made his way over the try line for their first try, which was converted.
Then within 10 minutes the pack forced their way over the line again with Henry coming up with the ball, 12-21, game on. The score stayed like this till half time.
Derby scored after the break through their speedy ex Mellish winger Will, only for Jude to make a good run and bring the boys back to 17- 26.
Mellish then seemed to switch off for 10 minutes and lost a bit of concentration, and with a couple of injuries to key players and handling errors, Derby made head way and moved 45-17 up.
The lads came back though, scoring the last try of the game with Jude again carrying well and off loading to Joe C, for the nippy winger to cross over in the corner. 22-45. That was the end of the scoring.
From being 21-0 down to finish 22-45, the team showed grit and determination to stay with Derby for the rest of the game and to show what they can do when they decide to switch on.
Next match home to Ashfield 9-10-16
Mellish Under 14’s
Mellish V Derby 28-7
1st Half
Mellish started by kicking off to Derby. We chased the kick hard and started to pressure Derby with good tackles, and as a result, despite Derby having possession from catching the kick off, they kept losing territory. The lad’s spritely start was then soon rewarded by an early try by our talisman, Oli S. The conversion was successfully kicked over by Jack. Whilst Derby seemed shell-shocked, Mellish took advantage and Tyrece soon ran through for another try straight after receiving the ball from the Derby kick off. This, again, was successfully converted by Jack. This initial success seemed to increase confidence and we piled on the pressure with very good line speed and tackles every time Derby were in possession of the ball. The 3rd try goes in by the corner flag, courtesy of our full back, T.J. which came from a set move from a scrum. The resulting difficult kick for the conversion was successfully kicked over by Jack (a truly great find this season). With Mellish having so much territory and possession, Derby’s defence is breached 1 more time resulting in try by Nick, and for the 4th time successfully converted again by Jack, before the half is up.
2nd Half
Derby started the half by kicking to Mellish. The catch is dropped and this gives Derby some much needed time in Mellish territory with possession of the ball. Derby seemed to have started this half a lot more aggressively (maybe as a result of a few choice words from their coach during the half time talk). They are then rewarded with a converted try early doors. Again, as in the first half, Derby spent most of the half pinned in their own half, but unlike in the first, their defence of their try line held firm. Derby had a few more forays into the Mellish 22, but the defence held strong, after the early breach in the 2nd half. The final whistle then concludes what was a very good game for Mellish.
The team manager said: “A great game of rugby played by two very honest teams. From a Mellish point of view it was excellent watching. All the aspects that we have been working on in training were on display. We are now getting a greater understanding of the game.
“We put in maximum effort whether we have the ball or our opponents are in possession. The communication is getting better with all the players now realising that when we talk to each other we are a better side. Some great tries form four separate players and Jack adding the conversions. One from the side line which capped off a great performance from the boot.”
Man of the match – Nick Smith. A great game from the tough tackling flanker. Didn’t give the Derby players a moment’s peace and was always willing to chase down the ball carrier.
Try of the match- Tyrece Wright. Strong direct running breaking through the Derby defence and then shrugging off the attempt by the Derby full back.
