MEN'S RUGBY: ONs run comes to an end as they crash to defeat at Melton Mowbray

ONs has taken the lead, with Ash Fullthorpe, who was again outstanding throughout, ploughing forward and winning a penalty which was slotted by Jack Cook.

A brief altercation resulted in a yellow card for each side before Melton won a throw in close to the visitors’ line then a penalty in front of the posts to level it up.

Possession from a lineout was moved swiftly wide and Rory Seymour went over to restore the lead for the ONs, but a strong burst through the middle and quick recycling saw the Melton full-back touch down.

The successful conversion took the home side 10-8 ahead and this lead was extended on 32 minutes with a converted pushover try.

With half-time approaching, Cook was again on target to make score 17-11 at the break.

The ONs opened the second half brightly and a couple of Cook penalties levelled the scores.

But Melton dominated the rest of the game, scoring two converted tries and adding a penalty to earn the victory.

Meanwhile, Old Northamptonians IIs beat Kettering IIs 29-24, with Joe Patrick (2), Jacob Evans and Matt Bedden scoring.

Patrick also kicked three conversions and Gareth Richards a penalty.

Old Northamptonians IIIs were beaten 60-0 by merit table leaders Oundle IIs.

Broadstreet 32 Towcestrians 12

Towcestrians faced a tough away trek to high flying Broadstreet in National League 3 Midlands.

Tows failed to produce the fast start they needed and crept back into their unwanted habit of one bad half followed by a good one.

After being totally outplayed in the first half, they came back to put the rampant Coventry side under pressure.

Broadstreet were 25-5 up at half-time, with only a try from Nicky Blackham providing any cheer for the away team.

Broadstreet scored two tries after Chrisse George was binned, putting them in control at the break.

But Tows bounced back despite briefly going down to 13 men in the second half.

Dave Devlin-Jones crashed over for Ben Roe to convert, but Broadstreet scored the final try of the game to earn a comfortable win.

Meanwhile, Towcestrians IIs produced a great display to win 37-3 at Broadstreet IIs, while Towcestrians IIIs lost at Bedford Athletic IIs.

Heathens 14 Peterborough IIIs 60

Heathens were beaten by a strong Peterborough IIIs outfit in the merit table clash on a cold and wet Racecourse.

Heathens were slow out of the blocks and conceded a try after only five minutes.

The Racecourse side then exerted significant pressure well into the visitors’ half and No.8 Dan Stonehouse saw him cross the whitewash for a try.

Skipper and prop Craig Wilson added the extras to earn the lead.

The home side then lost their shape which allowed a strong Peterborough side to score further tries on 19 and 26 minutes.

Heathens then reverted to an effective pick-and-drive game, but some poor handling allowed Peterborough to counter-attack for a try on 30 minutes.

A converted try with two minutes of the half remaining made the score 29-7 to Peterborough at the break.

And the second half was to be one-way traffic once again, with only another try 
from Stonehouse and a conversion from Wilson providing any consolation for Heathens as they suffered a heavy defeat.