16-09-2018 - Melton - A

Well, here we go. New Season. New Coaches. Same 16 Players.
We have a new coaching team this year. Rocky stays in his role as Head Coach but Gaz and Jono have now stepped down to make way for a new team. The club, parents and players would like to thank them both for all their hard work and commitment over the years.
The new coaches are Geoff Parkinson, Ian Lowry and Jonathon Hiscock (New Jono). Geoff has always had a keen interest in Rugby. Ian has played rugby most of his life for Aylestone RFC (No boos please!) and has been our Referee for the past two seasons. New Jono has played for South from an early age up to the Under 17s level.
Moving up an age group meant several rule changes. We are now playing 15 a side which meant the scrum has 2 additions, numbers 6 & 7, the flankers. The pitch has increased to full size and we now play 25 minutes each way. The scoring has also changed to RFC rules and a try is followed by kicking attempts to convert. Line outs are also introduced but these are uncontested for this year.
Our first match of the year took us to Melton Mowbray for the first round of the County Cup. Perched on top of a hill, the sun was bright and the wind almost gale force. Through the past couple of weeks of training, the boys are looking good and hopes were high although we know from past experience Melton are a strong side. We kicked off, Melton caught and proceeded to run straight through our lines for a try in the second minute. Not the start we wanted but it was a wake-up call for the boys. As we received the ball their attitude changed and they starting fighting for it. Passes were completed and tackles were made with venom. At the 10 minute mark after a South won scrum the ball found its way into Kyle’s hands who broke free but was took down by their full back on the 22-metre line. Two minutes later, pushed back to the 10-metre line, another South won scrub let Corban pick up the ball and sprint down the right wing to the 22-metre line where he was pushed out by the Melton wingers. At the quarter hour mark, an intercepted pass let Melton break free and score. Just before the break South won a scrum, the ball was passed from Curtis to Joe to Cole who managed to break free and run the ball in for a South try. Joe made a gallant effort at the conversion but went wide.
The second half, 2 tries in the first 3 minutes was the kick up the arse the boys needed. They focused on the try line, passed the ball with accuracy and managed to get to within metres. A solid tackle on Riley led to a fumble, Melton gained the ball but South wouldn’t let them make any ground. Tackle after tackle was made to keep Melton pinned against their goal line. A well-timed kick took the ball to their 10 metre line where Kyle picked it up, made a few metres but was then tackled. Archie Towers swooped up the ball and made a few more metres before a winding tackle took him to ground. The ball was turned over and Melton ran it down for another try. Fatigue had started to set in, the boys kept fighting but Melton’s superior fitness shone through. Another try and a conversion saw Melton comfortably win the match.

Final Score: South Leicester 5, Melton 42.

Trophies sponsored by Mike Boyland
Man of the match – Cole Loughlin
Tackle of the match – Cole Loughlin

Thanks to Mike Boyland for his photos.