ON Saturday Worksop showed the determination needed to stay in this new league when they took on Melbourne.

Playing against the strong wind and the slope Worksop set themselves the task of keeping the score to 0-0 at half-time to give the newly promoted side any chance of beating this promotion-pushing Derbyshire outfit.

This plan proved successful with Worksop outplaying the visitors for long periods of the half.

When Melbourne did try to attack, strong defence kept them at bay, getting to half-time at 0-0.

Worksop grew in confidence and could sense a win.

Now attacking with the wind and slope, this new confidence proved costly as a mistimed pass allowed the Melbourne winger to intercept and sprint three quarters of the pitch to score.

Worksop didn't panic and re-grouped and were quickly awarded a penalty which A. Waddell coolly converted to make it 3-7.

The Worksop pack were now getting the upper hand, and when they were awarded a five-metre scrum, knew their chance of re-taking the lead had come.

With a good show of power the Worksop forwards drove Melbourne back and with a try beckoning, a Melbourne player cynically kicked the ball out, resulting in a penalty try which was converted to make the score 10-7.

With only 10 minutes remaining the visitors threw everything at Worksop but to no avail, the home side weren't giving up their hard-earned lead and managed to see the game out.

Notts Casuals 33
Worksop II 18

THIS was a keenly fought match against the league leaders.

In the first half Worksop played into a strong wind, and with good ball retention managed to limit the score to 21-3.

The second half saw the Worksop forwards gain the upper hand, and with the use of the wind were able to attack the opposition.

Tries from Brian Sayle and Nathan Parry, with further points from the boot of Keith Dunstan, brought the score to 21-18 with 10 minutes to go.

But as Worksop pushed for the decisive score it was Casuals who increased their lead with two late tries.

SELECTIONS

Worksop (v Leesbrooke, tomorrow, away, meet 12.30pm) S. Dickinson, A. Hopkinson, R. Hutton, M. McKernan, P. Roome, C. Barnett, J. Poxon, G. Truckle, K. McGuire, A. Waddell, Z. Ebbs, N. Kay, D. Bowskill, M. Hardy, M. Nunn, R. Billam, L. Beard, M. Walker.

Worksop II (v Wath, home, friendly, meet 1pm) Team from: N. Peach, S. Stringfellow, D. Stockburn, D. Piddington, D. Norton, D. Poxon, N. Parry, L. Cooper, I. Slater, I. Evans, T. Palmer, B. Peach, S. Tite, K. Hughes, L. Elliott, L. Robinson, T. Carroll, P. Allan, D. Allan, D. Shepherd, D. Jackson, P. Askew, L. Middleton, D. Binder, G. Edson, D. Bennett, J. Gibson, G. Smith, K. Richardson, K. Dunstan, P. Dickinson, J. Molyneux plus any other available players.