Only the second home game of the year for the Mellor boys, and despite having to contend with a certain final it was a good turnout from both teams. Mellor were looking to defend their unbeaten record, but knew they’d be playing a good, well coached and difficult to beat Heaton Mersey side.

We started well, Charlie finding Cam, who’s been pinging goals in for fun, with a low shot added to this season’s tally. Another assist from Charlie as he set up Miles following some great lacrosse and Mellor were quickly ahead by two. Charlie then bagged one himself following a solo run. Mersey then pulled one back with a solo run before Sammy scored for Mellor to make it 4 - 1 after Q1. Credit to Mersey though, some excellent defence had kept down what could have been a much higher score, and Mellor knew they had a proper game on.

Second quarter and Josh scored quickly, then Charlie again following a solo run and Miles straight from face off meant that Mellor were 7 - 1 up. Good solid defence from Ollie, Ed and Henry, with some strong checks resulted in a second quarter shut out for Mersey, so Mellor had a six goal lead at half time.

At this point I think we all expected Mellor to kick on and dominate the second half, as they’d been doing in previous games this season. They were enjoying the majority of the possession, quickly recovering lost ball, defending strongly and controlling the game. Mersey had defended well but looked relatively unthreatening in attack.

How wrong we were, and full credit to the opposition, they came out of the blocks quickly and scored first in Q3. Mellor hit back, with goals from Cam and Charlie, and we thought normal service was resumed at 9 - 2 up. Well from that moment Mersey took control, scoring three in the trot before Mellor got another from Charlie. Mersey then got two more to end Q3 only 10 - 7 down. For the first time this season we were really getting tested and it was interesting to see how the boys reacted. Mellor’s marking had been poor, and combined with good well organised attacks we were struggling.

Q4 was tense, Mersey scored first again to get within two, and it was squeaky bum time. Sammy to Cam for a crucial goal and we were three ahead with not long to go. Mersey got another and it was 11 - 9 with a couple of minutes left on the clock. Mellor kept possession and played intelligently to see the game out and maintain their unbeaten record. Great game to watch, a proper test for the boys and really impressed with the Heaton Mersey team, well coached and good lacrosse