Melksham travelled away to Avonvale this week. The home team attacked straight away with a solid driving maul, gaining territory, then with a deft chip over the top pounced on for the first converted try.
More of the same strong forwards driving play forcing Melksham to cough up a penalty, in kickable distance, for a further three points. In heavy conditions Avonvale stuck with their strengths, a solid driving maul eating up the territory with a man breaking off to dive over and score. The half ended 15-0 to Avonvale.
The second half got under way with territory traded by both teams. Melksham suffered a tight call decision, awarding a line out 5 metres out from their goal line, when most thought the ball had been kicked dead. The resulting line out went to the home team, for them to add a further five points. Melksham needed a spark to get into the game. That came from Fly Half Callum Hurn with a long cross field kick into space, run onto by second Row Aaron Brailey to touch down out wide, Hurn adding the conversion.
A good passage of play from the visitors put pressure on the home team. Luke Cador, with power and pace, forced his way over Hurn, adding the extras to get within six points. The game was contested strongly by both teams, the pressure showing on Avonvale with two yellow cards in the last quarter. Melksham were unable to capitalise and conceded a soft try in the dying seconds of the game, to see Avonvale the victors 25-14. Man of the match went to Callum Gillard.
John Hurn
