Belper show character

2nd October 2004 Belper 1st XV 12 - Melbourne 1st XV 0

Following three straight defeats on the trot Belper were hungry for success and in an intense encounter which was not pretty showed they weren't going to lose whoever they played.

Melbourne had opened their league campaign with a win and a draw and were very optimistic about beating the team who were sitting at the bottom of the league.

Belper opened the brighter of the two teams taking the ball to the Melbourne defence with Gratton and Dakin battering the Melbourne defence every time they received the ball.

Following good interplay in the centres from Harron and Tennick, Melbourne were caught wanting and resulted to dirty tactics, nearly removing Harron's head with a very high tackle. Dymond stepped forward and kicked the penalty from an acute angle from 35 metres out.

Minutes after the restart Blackwell sneaked through a gap at the back of a ruck, only to be tackled by the Melbourne No 5 who subsequently lay over the ball and conceded another penalty which Dymond again converted to gice Belper a 6-0 lead at half time.

The second half saw Melbourne try and batter their way through Belper's defence but some strong tackling from Skivington and Holmes kept them at bay at every opportunity.

Melbourne's frustration gave way to indiscipline and they gave away two more penalties which Dymond duly converted to give Belper a deserved and hard fought victory with Dymond receiving Man of the Match following an excellent all round display including four match winning kicks.