MELKSHAM RFC gave another stellar performance as they defeated a determined Salisbury side, 46-26.
The season has hit its halfway point for Melksham RFC, with the boys in blue comfortably sitting in second place. With six wins from their first eight games, there’s much to be optimistic about as this talented squad of players look to turn up the heat come the second half of the season.
Salisbury 2’s arrived at Oakfield Stadium hoping to turn their season around with a victory over high-fliers Melksham.
Their chances were depleted early as Melksham started to dominate with some early pressure, causing Salisbury to concede penalties, leaving them on the back-foot.
As the pressure told, Melksham started to use their big boys to power through the opposition defence. Rich Carlile, the utility forward playing Number eight, found himself in space, carrying two men on his back he found the white line to extend his team’s lead.
The next two tries were scored by half-back pairing Jack Tunney and Rob Bailey, who both used brute strength to trundle over the try line.
The half was then capped off by 6 ft 1 in scrum half, Jack Tunney, as he once again decided to run through the backline rather than around them to score his second.
Salisbury had come back strong towards the second half, so the Melksham lads knew they still had a job to do. The switch was flicked when maverick fly-half Rob Bailey turned back the years as he appeared to slalom through the Salisbury defence to score his second try of the match.
The win was a secured when club captain Niall Cooper notched over a trademark close quarters finish, making up for a triple miss pass earlier on in the game which found only the sideline.
Rob Bailey was on hot form with the boot, knocking over a splendid 26 points in all.
Despite Rob’s being the most consistent boot of the day, it was the laces of a certain Scott Simmonds that had the horn of truth talking later that evening. Fans were left flabbergasted as what they thought was a prop nudged a 40-yard cross-field kick straight into the path of winger, Luke Ansell.
It was another Man of the Match performance from Sam Norris. Ever reliable under the high ball, the Melksham legend caused havoc in the Salisbury defence.
