Sat. 13th April. Wadworth 6X Dorset & Wilts 1 North Melksham 41 Wotton Bassett II 41
Melksham and Royal Wotton Bassett ll produced a scintillating 41-41 draw at the Oakfields ground, cementing Melksham’s 3rd place in the league this season.
The visitors approached the game with great endeavour, scoring twice in the first quarter with powerful runs from their inform Hooker. Both sides produced some excellent rugby to entertain the supporters, Melksham getting on the board with a great running try from Luke Cador. The revival was short lived, another powerful run from the hooker struck again to ease further away from the home team. Three points were clawed back for the home team from the boot of Callum Hurn with a penalty. RWB in the driving seat now winning a scrum against the head to power over in the corner, the halftime score 8-26.
At what looked like an uphill battle for the home team, Melksham struck straight out of the blocks with a deft kick ahead from Rory Mulgrew collected by Cador to add to the home score, Hurn adding the extras. Bassett responded with a three-point penalty. Melksham had shown they were capable good rugby and produced excellent handling out to the wing for Cador to get his brace.
Trading try for try, Bassett nicked one of their own to keep ahead. Melksham, determinedly hitting their stride, scored three quick tries – two more from Cador and one from forward Sam Norris, two conversions added by Hurn for Melksham to take the lead in an outstanding fight-back performance. RWB discipline unravelled in the second half with 3 yellow cards as Melksham’s tally grew, bringing it all down to the last minute of the game. The visitors drew a line out on the five-metre line, nothing would deny them, they scored and made the conversion to draw it all 41 – 41.
A fantastic afternoon’s entertainment for those that travelled and those of the home side for the final game of the season. Both teams gained 3 league points.
