From the off the Red and Blacks were unable to maintain possession and within two minutes had succumbed to a quick try, leaving them with a seven point deficit.

The first 20 minutes proved very difficult for the visitors, with a well drilled Melton team running in a further two tries from perfectly rehearsed training ground moves.

In response, Sleaford rose to the challenge and spent much of the remainder of the half in opposition territory. But despite some territorial advantage, they could not break down a solid defence and the score at half time remained 21-0 to the home side.

Half time saw an injured Rhys Jeffries replaced by substitute hooker Leo Hunt.

The second half proved to be a more competitive affair, with Sleaford attempting to attack as the opportunities presented themselves.

However, Melton managed to exploit gaps and scored a further try in the third quarter before Tom Collyer, suffering from the after effects of a cold, was replaced by Paul Kite.

In the fourth quarter, the Red and Blacks put in more effort but they were still unable to breach a solid home defensive line.

Melton managed to run in two more tries as time ebbed away at the end of the game.

A final replacement was made in the Sleaford pack, with Josh Robotham coming on for Gareth Bradwell who had, with back row colleague Shaun Fisher, provided staunch defence during the afternoon.

The final score of 36-0 to Melton Mowbray was a timely reminder to Sleaford that they will need to raise their game to succeed in the league.

Sleaford RFC 1st XV: Simon Lewis, Rhys Jeffries (replaced by Leo Hunt), Dave Davies, Simon Speight, Adam Downing, Shaun Fisher, Gareth Bradwell (replaced by Josh Robotham), Andrew Daughtrey (c), James Offer, Louis McQuade, Carl Wetherill, Euan Adamson, Daniel Mackie, Jonny Evans, Tom Collyer )replaced by Paul Kite).

*This Saturday, Sleaford 1st XV entertain old rivals Spalding in a league fixture at Ruskington Road.

Sleaford 2nd XV 38 - Melton Mowbray 2nd XV 0

MELTON were only able to field 13 players for this fixture but Sleaford stalwarts Rob Hopkins and Leigh Thompson relinquished their places on the bench to help the visitors' cause.

Winger Jordan Dores went over for the opening try of the game, with Chris Armond adding the conversion.
Debutant Gareth Ambler then added two tries, one converted by Armond, to extend Sleaford's lead to 19-0.

Ambler later completed his hat-trick of tries and further tries from Ian Walker and Armond and two more successful conversions by Armond took the final score-line to 38-0 in Sleaford's favour.

Sleaford 2nd XV: Jude Chalmers; Ali Priestly; Paul Loveday; Matthew Frisby; Adrian Hopkins; Mike Cockcroft; Henry Pocklington; John Pocklington (c); Toby Lloyd; Chris Armond; Gareth Ambler; Karl Andrews; Ian Flash Walker; Jordan Dores; Daniel Anderson