U12's versus Mellish

On the back of last weeks winning performance against Paviors, Ilkeston's under 12s returned to the Stute to play against Mellish. Unfortunately due to illness Mellish turned up two players short however to ensure an even contest the home side kindly lent them Alfie Cox and Fane Checkley. Ilkeston started with the wind behind them and from the receipt of the kick off Issac Smith broke left involving his centres immediately. Winger Jordan Rathbone burst towards the line only to be foiled by the Mellish fullback. Mellish immediately impeded and Ilkeston were given a penalty on the half way line. Smith seeing that the full back was absent lofted his kick over the away teams defence with centre Joseph Doughty following to pick up the lose ball to score between the posts, converted by Smith. Kick off again saw Smith catch the ball and again the backs were off but this time Rathbone was able to break the feeble tackles to score his first try for the club, again converted by Smith. Mellish heads were starting to droop as Doughty dummied his opposite number to glide through to score his second. The forwards had provided nice clean ball for scrum half Ben Middleton now decided to play their part to the score board as prop Aidan Norris scored his first try of the game using his strength to drive over the line, converted by Middleton. Ilkeston were becoming unplayable as centre Cameron Greenfield barged his way through to score, converted by Smith. Norris added his second moments before half time again converted by Smith. Half time couldn't come quick enough for Mellish and there was obvious relief as the referee blew with the scores Ilkeston 40 Mellish 0.

Both sides coaches decided to adapt the game to attempt to even the game and ensure all of the Ilkeston substitutes would get quality playing time. Both sides increased their quota to 16 as side. Ilkeston kicked off allowing Mellish time to receive the ball and attempt to gain advantage however Connor Connelley had different ideas as he tackled the prop and turned him allowing forwards Billy Derbyshire and Robbie Boddington to set up a ruck, Norris picked up the presented ball and ran 15 yards scoring with two Mellish players hanging off him and completed his hat-trick, converted by Doughty. Mellish continued to battle commendably, tackling but Ilkeston came at them in waves. A scrum was won against the head by hooker Felix Rabusin and Middleton picked up and ran across the field to score in the corner, converted also by Middleton. Further changes were made to the backs allowing Ilkeston an opportunity to 'blood' players in alternative positions. This was immediately rewarded with Zack Lebeter taking the ball of Conor Corrigan to score his first try. Smith decided to add to the rout as he dummied the Mellish second row to ghost between the posts, converted by Middleton. The final try of the match saw Ilkeston's forwards convert Mellish ball into their own with Boddington tackling his opposite player and immediately presenting ball for firstly Connelley then Norris to make yardage but an alert Lebeter saw the ball protruding from the maul and broke to score his second, converted by Doughty. Final score Ilkeston 73 Mellish 0.

The Elks players can take great confidence from todays performance against a developing opposition who were unable to compete at any level against the dominant home side. A big thank you to all the Ilkeston players who performed admirably for Mellish providing many questions to the Ilkeston coaches to who should be starting each match. Next week see Ilkeston travelling to Melton for a hard challenge.

Squad :Aidan Norris, Alfie Cox, Ben Middleton, Billy Derbyshire, Cameron Greenfield, Connor Connelley, Conor Corrigan, Fane Checkley, Felix Rasbusin, Frank Hemingray, Gregor McIntosh, Issac Smith, Jack Walker, James Thorpe, Jordan Rathbone, Jordan Pritchett, Joseph Doughty, Luke Twigger, Richard Hunt, Robbie Boddington, Zack Lebeter

Man of the match Backs - Joseph Doughty
Man of the match Forwards - Connor Connelley

Jon Doughty.