Newbold on Avon 29 Hereford 12
Head coach, Scott Sturdy said “A frustrating, but enjoyable day at Newbold in very different ways. It was lovely to see the lads go out and put in a really good away performance. What does good look like? Some great attacking shapes, good intent, really good opportunities early doors with clean line breaks, but unfortunately, we couldn’t take our chances. Newbold in the first half against the wind took the only two clear chances they had.I credit them for their execution and their ability to perform when they get into the red zone.My frustration comes from the three errors we made in the second half which led to three Newbold scores which were really gimme tries. Although, in the six visits we made to the Newbold 22 we couldn’t finish our chances, we were able to get back into the game mentally. That we continued to play good rugby and create so many opportunities is a real step forward based on where we were at the start of the season. I pick out the front row, as a unit they performed incredibly and James Marshall back in the second row put in a “man of the match” performance. Connor Sullivan went well at scrum half and the back line organised themselves very well in tough conditions. Our challenge moving forward is that whilst we are getting closer and closer to beating a very good team away from home, it’s not an achievement until we finally get over the line. So, our target for the rest of the season is to beat at least one of these top teams away from Wyeside.Next week, we look forward to entertaining Droitwich at home followed by Old Halesonians the week after. We play some really good rugby at home and there’s no reason why this should not continue. If you have the time why not come down and watch the lads on these fixtures and the Muddogs, who have a charity match on March 5th”
On a bitingly cold day with a blustery wind, both teams went through the phases without threatening the scoreboard until Newbold converted a penalty forced at the break down, to take a three-point lead.
Early in the second quarter Newbold set up a series of pick and drives, eventually moving the
ball across the line to touch down in the corner, the conversion attempt was successful. Hereford
responded and their forwards forced a scrummage penalty and Cal Brayshaw found an excellent
touch in the corner near the Newbold line. The catch and drive from the lineout was halted, but
Connor Sullivan found a defensive gap to cross for the try which Brayshaw converted. This reduced
the deficit to 3 points at the interval.
Within minutes of the restart, Newbold kicked into the corner, their drive for the line was stopped
illegally and the referee awarded them a penalty try. Levi Hughes paid the price with ten minutes in
the bin. From the kick-off Newbold worked their way into Hereford territory, the ball was moved to
the wing, who outflanked the defence to register an unconverted try. The Hereford team then worked
hard and eventually scored a second try, when after a period of sustained pressure Tom Ewins
crashed over wide out, Cal Brayshaw’s conversion attempt was blown wide by the gusting wind.
With twenty minutes to go Newbold charged down a defensive kick, they won the race for the ball
and touched down for their bonus try which was improved to take the score to 29 points to 12. The
Wyesiders spent the final quarter putting everything into trying to add to their score, but to no avail.
They came close to scoring on several occasions and Matt Milsom was held up over the line.
Full back Milsom had an exceptional game under the high ball in such difficult conditions.
