Hereford 10 Newbold on Avon 17
Coach, Alun Richards said “I am disappointed with the end result, but it was a much-improved performance from last week at Malvern. In the week we asked the boys to come out and put in a performance and that is what they did. It was just poor execution that cost us the game in the end, especially in the last twenty minutes, when we had opportunities to capitalise. We got in behind them, but didn’t execute. Lineouts were missed, passes not going to hand and other unforced errors which ultimately ended with us failing to get the win in the end. We were lucky to get the losing bonus when the Newbold kicker hit the upright with a last-minute penalty attempt. We have plenty to work on and with two good sessions next week we shall see what we can do away from home at Old Halesonians.”
The Wyesiders put in a much-improved performance against Newbold on Avon and were unlucky to leave with just a losing point. They matched their opponents throughout the game and but for poor finishing, faulty decision making and a strangely non-functioning lineout could have won the game. Hereford started the game strongly and a strong break by Tom Ewins supported by Levi Hughes took play into the Newbold 22. Play remained in the Newbold red zone for several minutes, but unforced errors prevented a score.
Newbold took play into the Hereford half and following a scrum, drove the defenders over the line for the first score, the try was improved to give Newbold a seven-point margin.
Hereford turned up the pressure and a succession of penalties were all kicked to touch but many of the resultant lineouts were lost. Eventually a catch and drive from a lineout was driven over the line for skipper, Lewis Jordan to touch down for a try. Callum Brayshaw’s conversion added the extra points to equalise the score at 7 points all.
A Newbold penalty was the only additional first half score and at the break they held a lead of 10 points to 7.
In the second half Newbold increased their advantage early with a second converted try and despite creating several good openings, Hereford were only able to add a Callum Brayshaw penalty. Despite losing a large proportion of their own lineout ball, Hereford persisted in kicking most of the penalties they won to the corner and accruing little reward. There were however some useful Hereford personal contributions. Our two teenage debutants, Tom Broad and Toby Jones had good first games. On the wing Levi Hughes always looked dangerous ball in hand. In the pack Jack Goodwin and Ollie Hutcheson made their presence felt, and Players’ Man of the Match Jordan Sheehy had a really good all-round game.
The final score of 10 points to 17 did not do the performance justice, but must be seen as “what might have
been.”
