League - 17th February 2007
War Memorial Ground
Mellish RFC 27 v 18 West Bridgford RFC

Mellish Line up: A Fretwell, Scott, Harris, Mason (c), Greathead, Gray, Lewis, Justice, Cocking, McConnell, Myers, Crossley, Linney, Wheldon, Walden (vc), Street, Brately, Rowbottom
Tries: Fretwell (2), Justice, Rowbottom
Conversions: Mason (2)
Pens: Mason


Mellish entertained West Bridgford in a eagerly awaited contest after the visiting side gave Mellish a big defeat earlier in the season.

Mellish started the game very aggressively by taking charge upfront with some big drives & quick ruck ball. A good break by full-back Kris Walden stretched Bridgford & a good pass to big Aaron Myers resulted in try in the corner only for the ref to award a lineout for a foot in touch.

The lineout was won & Bridgford knocked-on resulting in a 5 metre scrum. The big Mellish pack had the try-line firmly in sight & drove the away side over the line for Phil ‘Fossil' Justice to score giving Mellish a 5 – nil lead.

This score woke Bridgford up & their scored a well worked try under the posts for a 7 – 5 lead.

Mellish were spurred into action once again & scored straight through hard forward driving & strong runs from Sean McConnell & Paul Linney with Jordan Rowbottom scoring just wide of the posts, Mason added the conversion.

From the kick-off Mellish drove up field once again & were awarded a penalty which was slotted over by Mason for a 15 – 7 lead. With minutes remaining Bridgford slotted 2 penalties to give a 15 – 13 half time lead in favour of the home side.


The second half was very similar to the first with Mellish taking every opportunity to attack Bridgford either through the forwards or good attacking back play.

Mellish were camped in the Bridgford 22 for large periods with Bridgford defending very well. Eventually the defence did fold after a series of bantering runs, Andy Fretwell charged over the line making it 20 – 13.

Play was generally played in the away sides half where there gave away a penalty, Mason struck the ball against the upright which bounced off and into the arms of Paul Crossley who was tackled just short of the line.

The resulting ruck saw Andy Fretwell dive over for his second try of the afternoon, Mason adding the conversion for a 27 – 13 lead. Brdigford did score with 8 mins left but Mellish weathered the storm to comfortably win 27 – 18.

The performance was outstanding carrying on from the big performance at Spalding a week earlier. The pack once again produced the goods with good rucking & mauling. The backs defended really well & attacked very well, stand-out players were the pack once again, Andy Fretwell scoring 2 tries, Linney, McConnell & Myers with strong runs.

This weeks Man of The Match is Kev Greathead who was outstanding under the kick-off & very good in the lineout.

Mellish travel to North Derbyshire looking to carry-on the good rugby which has been played recently.


Mellish Man of the Match: Kev Greathead.

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