NLD Shield Mellish gain a win & bonus point with a 41 - 12 win over Keyworth

After one of our players decided to move onto another club this week(grass is not always greener), and knowing we had lost our number 8 & scrum half to injury, the boys had to adapt to having a change of personnel in key positions @ 8,9,12 and 14.
However, the boys were given a great privelege to play their first game on the first team pitch today, which they welcomed with open arms.
On a crisp morning, Andrew (as captain) led the team well, both in his attacking style of play plus his leadership of encouraging the rest of the boys.
Shaquille was as bright as a button & scared the living daylights out of the opposition with his speed; saying that NO team has lived with his pace this year so far!
Although play was disjointed due to many changes of position, Mellish attacked with a vengeance & the Shaq ran in the first try of the game.
Continued pressure from both flanks ended in a fantastic Billy Mantle solo effort try, who was now finding his way into his alien position.
Mellish had the vast majority of play & their stronger pack established a foothold in the game resulting in another Shaq try; some combined loop passing between Shaq & Anthony was a joy to watch today.
On the other side of the pitch Andrews' aggressive runing, ably supported by Shaun gave Keyworth continued headaches from both sides!
Near to the end of the first half Keyworth scored their first try through the athleticism of their skilled No.10 Charlie; a richly deserved try for their continued tackling and defense play.

The HT team talk turned out to be a waste of time as the boys came out in the second half and were very sloppy from the start; they got the wake up call they needed when a well worked try from Keyworth saw Charlie (No.10)finish off a fantastic solo under the posts; a convertion brought Keyworth within 7 points trailing 19 -12. GAME ON!

The boys responded in fashion within minutes as Billy scored his second of the day; it was becoming the Billy & Shaq story!

Mellish continued the hunt for more points in an effrot to gain a bonus point, running in 3 more tries from Billy, Henry & Dan (didn't know he could run!) Cokayne. Dan also completed 3 conversions today.

Well done boys, a good solid start...Southwell next!

Man of Match (broken trophy); Billy Mantle 3 tries & playing scrum half