STRATFORD-UPON-AVON 11 MELTON RFC COLTS 37

The game was also played in the right spirit and the Colts gave a display of exciting running rugby to beat this previously unbeaten side unconvincingly.

After the match, Stratford's coach confirmed he would like a return match in Melton in the new year and made a joint man-of-the-match award to Melton second-row Jim Long and debut centre Matt Fisher.

Colts (forwards): C. Pryor, M. Badham (2 tries), B. Pryor, J. Long, Z. Higgs, A. Hardisty, T. Commander, R. Kemp; (backs): S. Parry (1 try), J. White, G. Mabbott (2 tries), C. Radford, M. Fisher (1 try, 1 conv), A. Murdoch, J. Woolley, M. Richards. Reps: D. Shepherd, P. Durrant (1 try), W. Cunnington.

MELTON RFC UNDER 17s 45 KETTERING 0

THE match was played in appalling conditions and although the pitch was playable, the wind and rain made handling very challenging.

The early exchanges were tight as both sides struggled to control possession.

Much of the play was in Kettering's half, but they defended well and it took time for Melton to get on the scoresheet through hooker Harris' close-range dive.

Melton continued to press allowing Cooper to score on the stroke of half-time.

Kettering's small squad were put under real pressure after the break, as man-of-the-match Fielding grabbed a hat-trick. The conditions suited forward play and they set the platform for this display, providing lots of possession for the backs.

Further tries from Heaver and Lyne completed the scoring, while Lyne hit five conversions. Credit to Tinsley and Parry who turned out for Kettering in the front row to allow the match to go ahead.

Melton: Badham, Cooper, Eggleston, Fielding, Harris, Heaver, Lyne, Maddock, McNally-Reilly, Norgate, Olson, Parry, Rennie, Roberts, Starkey, B. Tinsley, J. Tinsley, Vamplew, Ward, Williams.