Mellish Line up: Weatherall, Scott, Butcher, Mason (c), Greathead, Henson, Boulter, Justice, Cocking, McConnell, Bratley, Linney, Walden, Wheldon, Bexon, A Fretwell, Harris, B Fretwell
Tries: Bratley (2), Walden (2)Boulter, McConnell, Linney, Penalty Try
Conversions: Mason (6)
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Mellish travelled to Castle Donington on the back of 6 straight league victories With a depleted squad, due to 5 un-available players, we still managed to field a strong side showing their strength in depth with Paul Linney, Daz Boulter, Wayne Henson, Alex Bratley & Phil ‘Fossil' Justice stepping into the side with a vast amount of 1st team experience between them. Also Brian Fretwell made his debut off the bench.
Having arrived at the ground for the usual 1pm meet, Mellish were un-able to make use of the changing rooms until 13:45 , this was due to them being locked & seeing that the weather conditions meant that changing in the car park would have been a very cold move, we had to wait.
We were also surprised to learn that we would face Castle Donington on a re-lined pitch which was very narrow to say the least!!! This didn't prevent Mellish from playing their usual attacking rugby.
From the kick-off the forwards attacked the opposition resulting in good clean ball for Jonny Cocking. Jonny then provided Sean McConnell at fly-half a good kicking option which he took very intelligently punting the ball down the very small pitch.
Kris Walden then managed to catch & dart straight under the posts for the first score, Mason converting for a 7 – 0 lead.
The kick-off was received in similar fashion & again good ball was provided for the backs who carved the Donington defence to shreds with Kris Walden again scoring under the posts after good work by Sean McConnell & Paul Linney, Mason added the conversation much to his delight after missing all his kicks the previous match!!!!!
Donington then upped a gear and tried to gain advantage upfront only for the Mellish pack to defend very well. The half was finished in good fashion with Alex Bratley going over on his return to 1st team action for a well worked back try. Mason added to the scoreline by another successful conversion.
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The second half would see Mellish up the work rate & start playing some very good attacking rugby. Good work by the backs would see Alex Bratley go over in the corner for his second, Mason adding the conversion.
With the forwards dominating up front once again further tries were scored through Sean McConnell & Paul Linney who started his first match in 7 weeks after a serious knee injury. Once again, Mason added a further kick.
Good work by the forwards & backs led to Mellish hammering the home line with a serious of bantering runs, the ball then spun out wide for Daz ‘Youth' Boulter scoring in the corner. The game was finished in style with the pack driving a maul 30 yards towards the Donington line with the home team collapsing the maul.
Mellish were then awarded a penalty try much to Sam Harris's disappointed after he thought he'd the ball down, Mason added the conversion for a final score of 52 – 0.
Skipper Dave Mason was ecstatic with not only the result but after so many last minute changes to the 1 st team squad, the chaps coming into the side played excellent.
The selection for the next game against Ashfield is to provide a welcomed if not envious headache for the selection committee. Stand-out players were the whole back-line especially Paul Linney & Sean McConnell who orchestrated the back-line superbly.
Daz ‘Youth' Boulter played well upfront especially in the lineout. But the man of the match award goes to Sean McConnell who once again showed his pedigree at fly-half.
This week see's Mellish up against Ashfield at home with what promises to be a bruising affair upfront with Mellish hoping to make ground on the top 2 sides
Mellish Man of the Match: Sean McConnell
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