21/09/08 Mellish 7 Matlock 34

MELLISH HIT FOR 6 BY TITANS 

 

Summer conditions greeted Titans as they journey to Mellish and an expansive game was hoped for by spectators.

 

A game of three thirds gave Titans the opportunity to try out new options against a physical Mellish side .There was not much to chose between the sides for the first third as the packs got to grips and sized up their opposite number.

 

Titans Prop Nobles broke the dead lock in this closely contested third , off a scissors move with Glover at flyhalf, he charged over the line but Glover's' conversion scraped past the right hand upright.

 

Mellish spoiling well in the loose thundered back at Titans who soaked up the pressure well.Flanker Brunt notched up his first of the season from a flowing back moved he was on hand to finish off.

 

The second third commenced with some slight changes to the pack and backs and Titans maintained momentum but off a short range penalty Mellish's forward bulldozed his way over the line despite some desperation tackling from Titans. The conversion successfully struck Mellish's confidence grew and they put together some good moves but Titans were up for it and Rhodes o/centre scorched over the line to extend the visitors lead.

 

Winger Kawalek outpaced the Mellish defence to slide over in the corner to increase Mellish's misery and the second third had Titans 20 points to 7 ahead and looking to pull away.

 

The Titans scrum was not as solid as it had been in recent games and on more than one occasion Mellish had a strike against the head. Mernagh at scrum half distributed well and the ball was moved slickly down the lines to the breakdown and the Titans forwards were ready to carry it on.

 

The final third had more positional changes with Pierson doing well at his first start at scrum half Mellish were holding on but their hard work was starting to tell and they started to tire. Titans confidence was rising and flanker Wright(T)  punished the weakening hosts  with a well taken try with Turner now at flyhalf converting.

 

Titans were now fully in command and had several opportunities to score which did not quite go to hand or desperate tackling by Mellish kept them out.

2nd rower  Atkinson tore free from a maul and looked likely to score but unselfishly passed which was knocked on close to the line for a defensive scrum.

 

The final score of the game came soon after with Turner chipping over and collecting twice to score under the posts and convert his own try to have the final score Mellish 7 Titans 34

 

 

A convincing win on paper with Mellish pressurizing at every opportunity and possibly not rewarded for their endeavours. But Tians gelled better as  a  team and continued to force their way to the Mellish line and were well deserved winners.

 

Titans host Lincoln in their next league game this coming Sunday at Cromford Meadows