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Sat 15 Oct 2016 ·  Merit A
2nd XVMelton Mowbray 2nd XV
14
52
Gutsy Performance in defeat for Harborough 2nds
David Nance16 Oct 2016 - 09:38
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Market Harborough 2nd XV found themselves in another tough league fixture against a well drilled Melton Mowbray team
Market Harborough 2nd XV found themselves in another tough league fixture against a well drilled Melton Mowbray team full of players with experience from a higher level. But they stuck to their task manfully, bolstered by some much needed experience from the Vets, eventually losing 14-52.
In a fast paced start to the game, Melton had the upper hand in the opening minutes. But gradually, the home side took a foothold in the game, working their way up the pitch to create an opening for the evergreen Charlie Standley to carve his way through the Melton defence for the first score of the game. Nick Airey added the conversion for 7-0 lead. Two minutes later, a missed tackle in midfield allowed Melton to level the score at 7-7. But, from the restart, Melton dropped the ball, allowing Harborough to set up field position for Michael Woodford to score a trade mark try from short range. Airey added the extras to regain the lead 14-7. Within minutes, Melton were level after another missed tackle allowed them to breach the home defence to level the match at 14-14. Melton were now beginning to assert themselves through their much bigger pack making strong carries. This created the opening for their next try which was scored out wide on the right after some good hands created the opening for 14-21 score line. Melton scored two more tries before the break, both from wide positions, to make the score 14-33 at the break.
The second period could have seen Harborough cave in and let the game get away from them. Instead, they dug in and took the game to the visitors, showing great attitude. It was a combination of bad luck, individual errors and sometimes taking the wrong option which prevented them from making inroads into the Melton lead. Harborough had the lion’s share of possession and territory and defended manfully when Melton made forays into their territory. The visitors had to work hard to extend their lead, unable to add to their score until the sixty fifth minute. After scoring two more late tries, Melton ran out eventual 14-52 winners.
This was an encouraging performance, despite the score line, with the whole squad showing great commitment and resilience.
In a fast paced start to the game, Melton had the upper hand in the opening minutes. But gradually, the home side took a foothold in the game, working their way up the pitch to create an opening for the evergreen Charlie Standley to carve his way through the Melton defence for the first score of the game. Nick Airey added the conversion for 7-0 lead. Two minutes later, a missed tackle in midfield allowed Melton to level the score at 7-7. But, from the restart, Melton dropped the ball, allowing Harborough to set up field position for Michael Woodford to score a trade mark try from short range. Airey added the extras to regain the lead 14-7. Within minutes, Melton were level after another missed tackle allowed them to breach the home defence to level the match at 14-14. Melton were now beginning to assert themselves through their much bigger pack making strong carries. This created the opening for their next try which was scored out wide on the right after some good hands created the opening for 14-21 score line. Melton scored two more tries before the break, both from wide positions, to make the score 14-33 at the break.
The second period could have seen Harborough cave in and let the game get away from them. Instead, they dug in and took the game to the visitors, showing great attitude. It was a combination of bad luck, individual errors and sometimes taking the wrong option which prevented them from making inroads into the Melton lead. Harborough had the lion’s share of possession and territory and defended manfully when Melton made forays into their territory. The visitors had to work hard to extend their lead, unable to add to their score until the sixty fifth minute. After scoring two more late tries, Melton ran out eventual 14-52 winners.
This was an encouraging performance, despite the score line, with the whole squad showing great commitment and resilience.
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