Regional One Midlands

Bromsgrove RFC 43 Newent RFC 27

THERE was a full throttle start for Newent at Bromsgrove before the wheels came off, writes PAUL DANDO.

The Green Army went ahead with a well-worked try after 10 minutes, Tom Webb drawing the Boars defence and slipping the ball to debutant Joe Warner, who picked a good line to slice through and dot down under the posts.

Webb added the extras for a 7-0 lead, with Newent next awarded a penalty on the Bromsgrove 22 following a tip tackle which he converted (10-0).

With skipper Ben Vincent leading from the front, the visitors then spurned what seemed a certain score.

And the loss of Newent’s captain after 20 minutes seemed to change the momentum, with Bromsgrove centre Ollie Ingram soon finding space to go over and fullback Rhys Williams converting.

Bromsgrove then rejected a kickable penalty to go for the corner where hooker Ellis Jenkins forced his way over for a 12-10 lead.

Another Bromsgrove try, this one converted, and a Webb penalty for Newent made it 19-13 at the break.

The hosts then kicked a penalty inside the first minute of the second half (22-13).

And although Ted Bailey and Webb got the Newent backline on the front foot again, a sweeping move into the Bromsgrove half saw the balll knocked on when it seemed odds on for another try.

Instead Bromsgrove scored again in the corner, with the kick converted for 29-13

At last, Newent then set up a prolonged period of pressure inside the home half following a great kick out from inside his 22 by Doug Long.

And strong running by Dan Fletcher took play into the 22 where good interplay between forwards and backs set up a maul near the line for Jim Hartland to power over.

Webb kicked the tricky conversion about 15m in from touch (29-20).

But when Newent were penalised in front of the posts for going off their feet, Williams made no mistake with the kick (32-20).

More good play by Newent led to a thundering run down the touchline by Jac Devries who was only denied by a brave tackle.

And Newent drove home their slight scrum advantage with a great effort, pushing the home pack over the line and Hartland getting the touchdown for his second, with Webb converting (32-27).

But Williams then slotted a penalty for Bromsgrove (35-27) and the hosts closed out the match with another converted try (42-27).

Newent coach Sam Goatley said: “This was another really disappointing away performance leaving us with a lot to think about.

“What adds to the frustration is that in the first 20 minutes or so we played arguably our best rugby of the season, and we should have really had more than a 10-point lead.

“Then, to Bromsgrove’s credit, they grew into the game and were good value for their win.

“They bullied us in the collision, defensively we were way too passive and it was too easy for them to get on top...

“I know how good we can be and I’m confident the players will respond well and work hard over the next four sessions before Stourbridge (at home, November 22).”

Ross RFC lost out 45-17 at Minchinhampton in Gloucestershire North Counties 4, but will look to bounce back a week on Saturday at home to Cheltenham Civil Service.