Regional Midlands One

Banbury 50 Newent RFC 1st XV 15

NEWENT may have gone up in the world winning promotion in an unbeaten season last term, but they received a wake up call about the task awaiting them in Regional Midland One with a 50-point away beating by the Bulls, reports PAUL DANDO.

The visitors kicked off playing into the sun and a slight breeze, and capitalised on the early pressure with a try by Nathan Brooks out wide, which went unconverted.

But the game changed when Banbury scored three excellent tries without reply, scored by Chad Daniels, Charlie Cranley and Max Benson, with the latter converted by Quinton Blythe for a 17-5 scoreline.

Two of the tries were scored from deep inside their own half from kicks fielded by Banbury’s lively back three who ran the ball back at their visitors.

Newent got back into the game though, with Ben Vincent crashing through under the posts and Tom Webb adding the extras (17-12).

Newent closed the gap further when pressure on the home side forced a penalty which Webb duly converted for 17-15.

That was as good as it got however, Banbury responding just before half-time by running in a try from deep inside their own half, scrum-half Ollie Nicholl touching down and then converting for a 24-15 lead to the hosts at the break.

The second half commenced with more pressure from Banbury resulting in a team yellow card for Alfie Larcombe.

Banbury took full advantage with tries from Jacop Grabble and sub Ed Berridge, the second of which was converted by Nicholl (36-15).

The visitors responded with a period of pressure but lost the ball in the home side’s 22.

A speculative clearance kick out of defence then bounced awkwardly for Newent and was caught by winger Cranley who ran in under the posts for his second try of the day, Nicholl converting (43-15).

Newent again responded with a sustained period of pressure inside the home team’s 22, but were unable to convert pressure into points..

After losing several players to injury, the visitors played the last 10 minutes with 14 men but were still able to pressure the home side.

But it was disappointing to see flying Banbury winger Cranley fasten onto a loose ball inside his 22, and sprint clear for the final play of the match for his hat-trick, Nicholl converting to put the gloss on the day for Banbury (50-15).

No doubt, Banbury were the better team on the day, though the final score rather flattered them.

Newent head coach Sam Goatley said: “It was a brutal wake up call that taught us a few lessons about what it takes to be competitive in this league.

"We were punished for our lack of accuracy with the ball by a clinical side.

"Defensively we were passive and lacked urgency. The lads are hurting and video analysis on Tuesday will be tough but one poor game doesn’t make us a bad side.

"We will learn from it but we won’t dwell on it for longer than we need to. We will stick together and work hard to get better together, ready for Newport (Shropshire) at home next week (Saturday, September 20).”

Elsewhere on Saturday, Ross 1sts beat Cinderford Stags 7-5 in a friendly, thanks to a Tom Derrick try and a Tomas Mulhearn conversion and next visit Westbury a week on Saturday (September 27).