Melton RFC target top four spot as title challengers are beaten

In what was their best result of the season, the First XV put four tries on the second-placed side who had arrived at Burton Road just four points behind leaders Newbold.

With seven games to go, Melton lie fifth in their first season of Midlands One rugby, locked on points with Leicestershire rivals Lutterworth.

They are also still on course to defend their Senior County Cup triumph. The draw for the semi-finals was due to be made yesterday.

“Saturday was very pleasing, especially off the back of a couple of disappointing performances,” Collins said.

“The result has given us a huge amount of confidence about what we’re doing and what we can achieve as a squad.

“We are still aiming for as high a finish as possible, realistically that would be fourth now.

“A top-six finish in our first season in Midlands One will be a great achievement, though.”

Collins and skipper Marcus Badham learned lessons from the 25-5 defeat in the reverse fixture back in October and used them to plot the downfall of the Northampton side.

Collins added: “We knew ONs would be a tough test and, from the first game against them, we knew they liked to move the ball around and play a fast game.

“We worked hard in the week on preventing them from doing that and focused on a very confrontational and physical attacking style.

“We managed to get the upper hand up front and from there we were able to dictate the pace of the game to suit us.”