County Cup holders Melton RFC confident of semi-final repeat

Melton player-coach Gareth Collins has overseen two championships since taking charge at Melton RFC in the summer of 2014

The cup holders travel to Oadby Wyggs tomorrow evening hoping to repeat their semi-final win of 12 months ago which paved the way for the club’s first-ever county cup success.

Melton go into the game on the back of a disappointing league defeat at second-bottom Dronfield on Saturday when head coach Gareth Collins decided to rest key players for the big cup tie.

“Saturday was a good opportunity to rest a couple of players and give debuts to some players who have been impressing for the second team,” he said.

Melton RFC player-coach Gareth Collins shows the scars of battle after last season's County Cup final EMN-160825-172049002

“So with this in mind, while the result was disappointing, it gave me some hope for next year that our squad is becoming stronger in depth.”

The Firsts will be almost at full strength for the Friday night fixture with Collins and Lee Miller the only absentees to long-term injury.

They are also buoyed by the return from injury of Klay Radford, Mark Matthews and Dan Wakefield.

Wyggs play in the league below Melton, but are on an eight-match winning run and lie second in Midlands Two East (South).

“We know it will be a big test, away from home against an in-form Wyggs side looking for revenge for last years’ semi-final,” added Collins.

“But we are confident we can go there and do a job.”

Kick-off at Oval Park is 7.30pm.

National League outfit Syston travel to Melton’s Midlands One East rivals Lutterworth in the other semi-final on Sunday.