IN THE recent match between Melksham 1st and RWB II, the visitors struck first after a kick deflected into the hands of their No. 8, who ran on to score a converted try.
Within a few minutes Melksham retaliated with a strong run through from centre Phil Stone, halted before the line. Regaining possession from a strong scrum, the ball was sent quickly out wide for winger Ben Brown to score in the corner. The home team gradually increased their tally with a break away run from prop Rob Escott, charging through the defenders from the 10m line, Fly Half Callum Hurn adding the extras.
The home team, controlling proceedings, moved into striking distance again with the catch and drive from a line out, Hooker Aaron Brailey scoring, Hurn adding the conversion. The bonus point try came from Phil Stone as he stepped defenders to score with Hurn slotting the uprights. The visitors hadn’t given up and rallied just before the close of the half, exploiting the space to score a try out wide. Half time 24-12.
The restart brought pressure again with the visitors defending on their line, Dave Dyke coming away with the ball to power in to score, Hurn adding the conversion. The visitors rallied to return the play and scored again after a period of pressure in the opposition’s half. From that restart Melksham stepped up a gear, the dominant scrummaging providing the platform for Brown to get his brace, Nick Suter to power in from 15 metres out and the elusive Callum Gillard to break through defenders, the team scoring 3 tries in the last quarter, Fly Half Hurn kicking them all to close the game 52-17.
