Burton @ Melbourne on November 25th 2007

Game.1: Melbourne 1st Team 10 v Burton Falcons 5

Coupled with a slow start to the morning and big strong opposition in the form of Melbourne’s first team, the catalyst was formed for the Falcon’s first defeat of the season.

The boys did not go down without a fight!
A disjointed first half with lots of stops in play meant both teams struggled to find rhythm and any form of fluid play.

Jacob Abraham was the pick of the crop with his usual high work rate in defence and attack. Dominic Phillips also stood out with some good hard tackling, as did James North.

Following first half stalemate, James North attempted to put the Falcons ahead with a fine run, only to be driven into touch just short of the try line.

Some frantic defending on the Falcon’s own try line could not stop Melbourne finally scoring their first try, after using their big men to good effect.

Falcons tried hard to respond through some excellent play from Oliver Corbett, Lewis Kenney and Cameron Scobie.

Josh Wright went on a couple of his usual runs but again found himself up against a solid and stout defence.

Some poor defending from the Falcons allowed Melbourne to score their second try of the match. However, James North produced the perfect response by running in the Falcon’s consolation try after some good set-up play from Josh Wright, Jacob Abraham and Dominic Phillips.

The Burton boys were finally defeated by the narrowest of margins – one try.

Hard luck Falcons! A defeat had to come eventually. A fine achievement to remain undefeated until the end of November.

Man of the match:     Jacob Abraham (Hard work in tackling and both defensive and attacking running.)

Game.2: Melbourne 2nd Team 0 v Burton Falcons 35

The Falcon’s second game saw them get into their stride and get back to familiar winning ways.

Better rucking and the willingness to look to pass the ball was the secret to their success.

Selfless team-play, good passing of the ball and the will to do as asked by the coaches was demonstrated perfectly by man of the series, Oliver Corbett.

Better rucking than in the first game was evident which lead to some excellent runs from Dominic Phillips, James North, Cameron Scobie and Lewis Kenney (who also caught an awkward pass and off-loaded the ball well.)

Oliver Corbett ran in the first try of the half, followed by Dominic Phillips, driving over right on half-time.

The Falcon’s continued their dominance of the game in the second half. Excellent set-up play in the ruck from Jacob Abraham and James North coupled with aggressive driving over by Josh Suddaby opened up the flood gates.

James North was next to score after receiving an excellent pass from Oliver Corbett.

Then Jacob Abraham put his name on the list of try scorers – just rewards for his efforts, followed by Dominic Phillips with the next two and in so doing, completing his hat-trick!!

James North continued to work hard and ran clear to cross the try-line, only to lose grip of the ball as he went to touch-down.

No matter – Josh Wright finally ran in a try in the dying seconds to complete the scoring.

No trys conceded against seven trys scored. The Falcon’s excellent defensive play was restored due to much better work rate and tackling – one tackle in particular by the redoubtable John Robson attracting special mention from the coaches in the post match briefing.

Man of the match:      Oliver Corbett (All round team play, looking for the pass and executing coaching instructions.)

Falcon's Man of the series:      Oliver Corbett

The Eagles were looking forward to the challenge of keeping up the excellent start to the season and anticipated a stern test against the Melbourne sides.  The drills were over and the Eagles faced the Melbourne B team in the first of their two match series.

Match 3: Melbourne B 0 Burton Eagles 60

Tries: Daniel Grimsdell 4, Joshua Hart 3, Calum Launchbury 2, Charlie Quarterman 2, Jacob Buxton

The Eagles got of to a flyer and imposed themselves on a nervous looking Melbourne pack.  Big tackles from Nadan Cox and debutant Jamie Dutton turned ball over to the Eagles and full advantage was taken.  Charlie Quarterman ran in the first try within 3 minutes and this was shortly followed by a brace from Daniel Grimsdell, the second a powerful solo run right through the heart of the Melbourne line.  The forth try soon followed this resulted from a splendid and powerful surge from the Eagles pack which saw Jonathan Kingston carry the ball 20 yards supported by Joshua Hart and Calum Launchbury before off loading to Joshua Hart to finish in style .  The Melbourne team were never able to find any rhythm and the Eagles were in no mood to let anyone through their defensive line.  A series of tackles from Jacob Buxton, Joel Dolman and Charlie Quarterman drove the Melbourne forwards backwards and loose ball was gathered and drove forward for Daniel Grimsdell to complete a first half hat-trick.  The half time whistle could not come soon enough for Melbourne and the Eagle had a 25 to 0 first half lead.

The second half was no anti climax as the Eagles ran riot.  Time and Time again Jonathan Kingston picked up loose ball and drove straight at the Melbourne defence.  The support play was awesome and Calum Launchbury linked with Charlie Quarterman to score early in the second half.  Joshua Hart completed his hat-trick with two quick tries the second thanks to a crunching tackle by Nadan Cox and support from Jamie Dutton.  Jacob Buxton was at hand to finish another surging run by Charlie Quarterman and Calum Launchbury finished a powerful drive and great set up from Jonathon Kingston.  The final try was scored by Charlie Quarterman supported by Jacob Buxton and Nadan Cox.  Melbourne looked relived when the final whistle blew and the 60 – 0 score line was just deserve for a fantastic display of team work.           

Man of the Match: Nadan Cox

Match 4: Melbourne A 25 Burton Eagles 30

Tries: Joshua Hart 3, Daniel Grimsdell 2, and Charlie Quarterman.

The second game for the Eagles promised to be their toughest test of the season and we were not wrong.  One could have been excused for thinking that this game was going to be over before the shouting as the Eagles got of to a flyer.  Connor Wood reputation for big tackles was enhanced early on and turned over ball was run home by Daniel Grimsdell within the first minute.  More disruption of Melbourne ball by William Hulbert and Tommy Collingwood created Eagles second courteous of a straight run from Charlie Quarterman.  However, the Melbourne team responded with some powerful tackling of their own and soon scored a try despite the efforts of Tommy Collingwood on the try line.  This spelt game on and the Eagle responded with another surge through the Melbourne defence and another great passing move involving William Hulbert and Tommy Collingwood opened the door for Joshua Hart to give the Eagles a 15 – 5 half time lead. 

With the slope advantage Melbourne were able to drive at the Eagles defence.  There was no hiding place and to a man the Eagles responded with tackle after tackle.  Tommy Collingwood and William Hulbert stopped what looked like a certain try with last ditch tackles to push the Melbourne winger over the touch line.  This was repeated on the other flank as Connor Wood and Calum Launchbury did likewise.  However, Melbourne pressure grew and they scored two quick tries to level the scores.  Once more the Eagles responded and stuck to the tackling as if their lives depended on it.  A massive tackle from William Hulbert turned ball over and Joshua Hart ran in a splendid try to restore advantage to the Eagles.  Unfortunately the tackle from William forced him to leave the field with a shoulder injury.  Again Melbourne came back with a powerful surge of their own and levelled the scores.  The game was in the final exciting stages and it looked like the Eagles were going to concede again as the Melbourne pack drove hard at the Eagles line.  But to emphasise what a great hard working team the Eagles are they stood firm, took tackle after tackle and tackles from Daniel Grimsdell, Euan Johnson and Tommy Collingwood forced a penalty on the Eagles line.  Charlie Quarterman passed to Joshua Hart and the Melbourne defence were opened like a good book.  Joshua put on the gas and scored a brilliant try (his 50th of the season) to give the Eagles the lead.  The last minute lasted five but the defence held out to seal victory for the Eagles.             

Man of the Match: Joshua Hart

Eagles Man of the Series: Joshua Hart 

The work ethic of the Eagles was outstanding against Melbourne and the collective spirit saw off a very strong Melbourne A side.  The coaches remarked upon this and it was there for all to see that to a player the Burton Eagles earned their after match hot dogs and pop.  As luck has it the Melbourne club house was not licensed and customary purchasing of rounds for hat tricks was temporary wavered for some dads.  Bring on Worcester!