Mellish 1st XV 3-24
Grimsby 1st XV Grimsby travelled away to Mellish in high spirits for their return league match having beaten them convincingly only last weekend. With a few forced changes due to work commitments Grimsby got off to a slow start with a much altered home side very strong in the early minutes. The powerful start came as a wake up call for the overconfident visitors but not before the home side had taken 3 points from a penalty just inside the half way line. This was definitely not the start that Grimsby had expected. Stern words and some strong examples of attacking rugby from Captain Edwards seemed to settle the side slightly and it wasn't long before Grimsby also took advantage of an infringement on the home 22 and West kicked to draw level at 3-3. The much improved scrummage from the home side was solid but the Grimsby front row of Wilkinson, Edwards & Thornton held strong throughout. Kempthorne who was rampant in the loose showed that true grit and the direct approach really does work as he set up the first of Grimsby's three tries for the afternoon. Driving from the back of a ruck the ball was played wide through Daly at 10 and into the hands of Thomas who passed unselfishly to the nippy winger West to run in under the posts. West converted successfully and after nearly 25 minutes Grimsby were starting to motor. The lineout proved a key area of competition throughout the afternoon with Barker and Davies disrupting most of the Mellish ball and it was from a well worked lineout that the second try came. A number of phases of running rugby were strung together, this time forwards and backs working well to drive Mellish back into their half before Kempthorne burst through into the 22 popping to Barker before recollecting the ball and forcing his way over to score under the posts. Again, West was successful with the conversion. Grimsby went into half time 17-3 up. Half time saw the replacement of the expired Kempthorne at second row for Docherty Montague who returned following a lengthy knee injury. Grimsby started the second half in defensive mode with w ave after wave of attacking Mellish players trying to regain some dignity. But the visitors held strong with good performances and strong tackling from Norman & Evans. The Mellish pressure was sustained with many scrums awarded to the home side allowing the experienced No 8 many chances to break from the base of the scrum, but with little effect as time after time he was wrapped up. Another change was made with Dymond coming on for Davies in the back row and Doherty Montague moving to 2 in the lineout. The third try was a brilliant individual effort from Pharoah at scrum half, breaking down the blind from the base of a ruck. Some nifty footwork and a gap in the Mellish back line saw Pharoah sprint the length of the field to score under the posts. West, on form, converted without any difficulties taking the visitors to a lead of 24-3. As full time approached and the final whistle blew Grimsby can count themselves fortunate to see the score line that they came away with as most of the second half was spent defending. Next week sees Ilkeston, currently third and probably the strongest seen so far this season visit Springfield Road for their return league match.
The Pavilion, Springfield Road, Scartho, Grimsby, NE Lincs, DN33 3JF