Melton RFC U16s fight back to earn Loughborough draw

The visitors dominated the breakdown in the first half, showing a hunger and determination for the ball which was unusually lacking from the hosts. Inevitably this showed on the scoreboard with hooker Morgan’s try being the only reply to Loughborough’s three tries and two conversions as Melton trailed 19-5 at the break.

The half-time team talk didn’t appear to have worked as the visitors ran in another unconverted try soon after kick-off.

Boylan and Thompson both received heavy knocks, but to their credit, after a quick clean-up they were back in the fray.

The home side suddenly found the stomach for a fight and tore into the Loughborough defence with captain Green leading by example to score from a well-executed move.

The visitors defence creaked once more against several phases of play which resulted in Thompson driving over for a converted try.

With the clock ticking down, Melton ran the ball back into Loughborough’s 22 only to be halted illegally.

Scrum-half Beesley took the opportunity to gain half a yard with the opposition retreating and burst through a couple of tackles to score.

Gunby duly converted to give Melton a deserved 24-all draw.

They can only reflect what they could have achieve had they played with the same passion and belief in the first period.

Melton: T. Green, D. Morgan, I. Thompson, J. Sommerville, P. Blythe, H. Goward, C. Boylan, W. Knight, W. Garnett, J. Garnett, J. Dixon, J. Beesley, K. Gunby, H. Heaney, T. Golland, J. Owens, B. Johnson, O. Jakes.