Sat. 26th Jam. Wadworth 6X Dorset & Wilts 1 North Melksham RFC 1st XV 10 Avonvale 34
It was a tough day at the office for third-placed Melksham RFC 1st XV as they suffered a first defeat of 2019 against a strong second-placed Avonvale side, who took the lead after ten minutes and didn’t look back from there.
After an originally tight affair in the first ten, clinical finishing from Avonvale and a series of Melksham defensive errors meant that the away side had built up a strong lead, with Melksham offering no real attacking threat. Much to Melksham’s relief the half-time whistle came, with Avonvale leading 24-0.
The second half then continued in the same vein, as Avonvale scored not long after the kick off for the second 40. However, Melksham then started to play the rugby that they are capable of and after some good, structured, patient play Melksham’s pack leader Ryan Brown was able to get over the line for Melksham’s first points of the game, making it 29-5 and finally some hope for the home side. However a yellow card for Melksham Winger Jamie Shipman for a high tackle meant that Melksham were down to 14, and under more pressure. This pressure eventually resulted in another 5 points for Avonvale, stretching their lead to 34-5.
In final moments, another yellow card for a high tackle was awarded to an Avonvale player, and Melksham were able to capitalise with Nick Suter crashing over the line to make the final score 34-10 to Avonvale.
Melksham Development XV were defeated 44-19 by Devizes 2nds, and Melksham Social XV were given a walkover by Swindon Supermarine 2nds.
