Melksham v Swindon II 63-7
The home fixture Melksham v Swindon II turned into a “try-fest”, with 11 to 1 tries in favour of the home team.
Both teams started the game with intent but the ever-present penalty count diffused the momentum until line-out ball moved quickly for Nick Suter to charge in and score.
Ten minutes on, and a juggled pass corralled by Luke Cador and shipped to Ben Smith, saw him score his first of the season, Adam Davies adding the conversion. The game tightened up, with Swindon building several attacks but unable to complete, when full back Matt Glover collected the ball and showed his pace to close the half 17 – 0.
On the start of the second half Glover, again straight into the action, breaking through to score his second and bonus point try, Davies adding the extras. Winger Luke Cador ranging across the field was next to touch down in the corner. With a good point cushion, the game opened up, Melksham gaining in confidence varying the point of attack with two power driven tries from the pack, one from Alex Cox and minutes later Matt Plumb both securing their first scores of the season. Davies’ conversion adding to the tally.
Swindon’s woes were compounded with a yellow card to their full back with a quarter to go. Melksham’s backs, with the extra space, punished the tiring visitors with two tries from Cador scything through their defence for his hat trick. Davies converting the last of these.
Swindon rallied and found a spark from their lively scrum half who started a movement for them to score a converted try and avoid the whitewash. Melksham were not done yet with two more tries, Smith for his brace of the game and Kieran Jenkins rewarded after his constant carrying. Final score 63-7. Man of the match went to Flanker Ben Smith.
Melksham 1st v
Trowbridge II 7-5
Melksham welcomed Trowbridge to Oakfields for this local derby. Both teams were able to field strong squads in this return fixture.
The Melksham front row received a boost from the return of Paul Hayden and Rob Escott from long-term injury problems. The two teams were evenly matched and a strongly-contested game saw territory traded between the two, with neither being able to break the stronghold, each vying for that all important first score.
Trowbridge tested the defensive line from Melksham with big ball carrying coming in at pace from deep, the Melksham defence holding tight. This repeated at the other end as Melksham mounted their own attacks against a strong defence. And so, the game went right through to the last 10 minutes with no score.
Trowbridge finally broke the logjam with a try out wide after pressure on the line to gain five points and ramping up the tension at the ground. Melksham could have capitulated, but reacted as a team, forcing their way up field in a last-ditch attempt, with Luke Cador taking the ball at pace and cutting back in to score a last-minute try. The tension was palpable, all now resting on the shoulders of fly half Adam Davies who duly completed the conversion to win with the last kick of the game.
A well contested game from two good teams for the enjoyment of the spectators. MOTM Adam Davies.
