Grimsby 1st XV 46-15
Mellish 1st XV Grimsby welcomed the Nottingham side to Springfield Road for this re-arranged league match with the memories of their last encounter, some two years ago, a 77-0 loss still paining. Grimsby won the toss and opted to receive with the wind and sunlight behind them. It wasn't long before the home pack had worked their way up the field and were awarded a scrummage just inside the visitors 22. As practiced on many occasions Barker at number 8, picked up and fed Pharoah who put the nippy winger Daly in for the first of Grimsby's eight tries. Saunders was unlucky with the kick, Grimsby 5-0 up and only 4 minutes gone. The second try wasn't long in coming either as Mellish were unlucky with the ball in their backs and the astute Kempthorne Jnr spotted an interception chance and ran in from the half way line. Again Saunders was unlucky with the kick. Grimsby were only just out the blocks and their game was really flowing. The third came from Burke, playing in his first season for the 1st XV, when a passage of good mauling and rucking in the visitors 22 allowed Burke to sniff out the line and drop down for the try. This time Saunders was successful 17-0. The fourth try was probably the best of the game showing the deft hands of the backs and the physical presence of the forwards combining well. Captain Edwards, momentarily lapsing into back row mode broke from the home 22 down the wing selling dummies wherever he could and passing left and right involved Newman and Thomas and finally back inside for Daly who was very unlucky to be taken into touch just short of the line. The ensuing lineout allowed another chance for Barker to steal the Mellish ball and the maul trundled towards the Mellish line. Burke again sensed the opportunity and powered his way over the line for his second. Saunders missed the conversion. The ageing Thomas at inside centre definitely had his blinkers on with some very strong running lines that begged questions of the Mellish back line. He was able to break through and take the game into the visitors 22 once again. From the breakdown Burke secured his hat-trick just wide of the posts. Daly stepped up to take over the kicking duties and slotted the conversion 29-0 just in time for half time break. Mellish definitely regrouped during the break and came back very strong but the home side defence once again held strong with good performances from Lowery and Norman and it wasn't long before their patience paid off and Grimsby were attacking again. From the next foray into the visitors 22 Newman broke free of a tackle and stormed over the line much to the frustration of the Mellish backline. Daly was unlucky with the kick. It was at this point that the home side seemed to ease off the gas and allowed Mellish to string passes together and create the overlap to score in the corner. Their conversion attempt was unsuccessful. Grimsby's seventh try came from the hard work of the tight five and especially the front row of Wilkinson, Edwards and Sellah Price. A visitors scrummage deep in the home side's half was won against the head allowing the speedy Pharoah to jet off down the wing and run the full length to score. Daly missed the conversion (when will we find a kicker ??). Thornton came on for Price Sellah at tight head and Dan (surname ??) came onto the wing for Saunders with Daly moving to fullback. Mellish stuck at it and a poor positional decision allowed the Mellish backs to run their second try in under the posts. Somehow their kicker missed the kick. The restart caught the home side snoozing and once again Mellish were able to string together enough passes to outwit the home backs to score their third under the posts. Again somehow their kicker missed. With the game drawing to a close Grimsby sensed that they needed to end on the high note and mustered their last reserves. A series of mauls and some strong ruck and running play from the Kempthorne Snr allowed Burke to go over the line for his fourth of the day, quite a haul!! Daly hit the spot this time and the game ended with a convincing win 46-15. Grimsby travel to Mellish on Saturday for the return league fixture hoping to secure the away win.
The Pavilion, Springfield Road, Scartho, Grimsby, NE Lincs, DN33 3JF