Melton RFC Second XV ease past Cosby Firsts

The margin of victory might have been greater had they had not regularly knocked the ball on and gifted possession back to Cosby.

The first 20 minutes started evenly as Jeremiah gained 20 metres with a trademark break. Melton earned a scrum and a good break by Brooks forced Cosby to concede a penalty and in the process lose a man to the sin bin.

From the penalty Sims broke clear from five metres and sprinted in to give Melton a deserved 5-0 lead.

Bowles made an arcing outside break before Meakin brushed off the tacklers with a more direct run. He set up a ruck for Peters to cut back inside and make it 10-0.

The hosts fielded three young debutants and Hatherley was the first to shine with a searing break which took him from his own 22 and into Cosby’s 22.

Melton settled quickly in the second half with Greaves showing great versatility in his third different position in as many matches to keep driving the ball forward.

This allowed the back three of Forfar, Clarke and Hatfield, in his best game for Melton, to run at Cosby.

The back row of Chambers, Evans and Haywood put Cosby under pressure and from the turnover the cavalry arrived as Jeremiah broke through the last line of defence to touch down behind the posts. Forfar’s conversion stretched the lead to 17-0.

Melton replacement Coghill carried the ball well, and Curtis had a useful 20 minutes and was safe under the high ball for a good debut.

Rudkin was not so lucky and his first bit of action saw a finger knock out his contact lens and he was off after a few minutes.

Webster’s all-round game was outstanding as his hooking, lineout throwing and work at first receiver from ruck or maul helped the team over the gain line and moving forward.

Melton: Sims, Webster, Jeremiah, Meakin, Bowles, Evans, Brooks, Chambers, Coghill, Haywood, Greaves, Forfar, Hatherley, Peters, Hatfield, Clarke, Rudkin, Curtis.