Michael Melford (rugby union)

Michael Melford (born 1984) is retired English rugby union player who plays as a winger.[1] He has spent most of his semi-professional rugby career with Canterbury during the most successful spell of the clubs career to date, which included a spell as club captain. With over 90 tries for his club in National League 2 South alone, he has become one of the most prolific try scorers in the competition's history.[2] He currently runs a personal training business in Chatham, Kent.[3]

Michael Melford
Date of birth (1984-07-30) 30 July 1984
UniversityLoughborough University
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2005–13 Canterbury ? (?)
Correct as of 11 May 2013

Career

Rise and Fall of Canterbury

After graduating from Loughborough University Mike joined Canterbury in Kent in 2005, where he enjoyed a successful first season at the club as they won both the London Division 1 league title and retained the Kent Cup.[4][5] The 2006–07 season saw the club finish 4th in National Division 3 South (excellent for a promoted side) with Mike playing all 26 games, scoring 16 tries in the process. The club also won the Kent Cup for the third year running, with Mike featuring as his side defeated Blackheath 41–27 in the final held at Maidstone rugby club.[6] The next season finished in much the same way, with Canterbury once again finishing 4th in the league and winning the Kent Cup for the fourth year running.[7]

The 2008–09 season saw Mike have one of his most prolific spells of his career with the club as he finished the second highest try scorer in the division with 22 tries from just 23 games, with Canterbury finishing 5th in the league. After a fairly low-key 2009–10 season, 2011–12 proved to be bittersweet for Mike. On the one hand he managed a career best total of 23 tries in National 3 South, but on the other it was for a relegated side as Canterbury went down at the end of the season, losing their final game at home to relegation rivals Westcombe Park, 18–25, condemning them to the drop, just 1 point off safety.[8] At the end of the season Mike's try scoring exploits would lead him to be called up for the Kent county team taking part in the 2011 County Championships, although this too was a disappointment as Kent were relegated from Division 1 of the competition.[9]

Club Captain / Return to the National Leagues

Although Canterbury were relegated from the National Leagues, Mike stayed at the club and was made captain in June 2011, replacing Chris Hinkins who became player-coach.[10] His debut season as captain was a successful one as Canterbury took National League 3 South-West by storm, winning 24 out of 26 games to win the league title and promotion back to National League 2 South.[11][12] The 2012–13 season would be his last with Canterbury as the newly promoted side finished mid-table, with Mike scoring 5 tries from 19 appearances to bow out after 8 seasons with the club.

Season-by-season playing stats
Season Club Competition Appearances Tries Drop Goals Conversions Penalties Total Points
2005–06CanterburyLondon Division 1??????
2006–07National Division 3 South261600080
EDF Energy Trophy210005
2007–08National Division 3 South25150075
EDF Energy Trophy2100010
2008–09National Division 3 South2322000110
EDF Energy Trophy210005
2009–10National League 2 South261100055
2010–11National League 2 South2923000115
2011–12National League 3 London & SE??????
2012–13National League 2 South19500025

[13]

Honours and records

Canterbury

Kent

International/Representative

  • Capped by England Universities[10]

References
  1. "Michael Melford Details". Rugby Statbunker. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  2. "National Two South All time try scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 25 December 2015.
  3. "Michael Melford About Me". Melford Fitness. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  4. "Major tour roles for rugger club's star men". Kent Online. 11 August 2005.
  5. "City slickers make rugger history". Kent Online. 12 April 2006.
  6. "Kent Cup 2007 Match Report". Canterbury RFC. 4 April 2007.
  7. "Fourth straight Kent Cup win for Canterbury". Kent Online. 28 April 2008.
  8. "Westcombe Park survive drop on final day". BBC News. 10 March 2011.
  9. "Sidcup RFC 's Sam Carmen plays for Kent". Sidcup Rugby. 23 May 2011.
  10. "Canterbury Rugby Club appoint Mike Melford as new captain". Kent Online. 30 June 2011.
  11. "Canterbury Rugby Club will enjoy being champions before planning for life in National League 2 South". Kent Online. 5 April 2012.
  12. "2011–2012 London South-East Division". England Rugby. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  13. "Michael Melford Record by competition". Rugby Statbunker. 11 May 2013.
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