Regional One Midlands

Newent RFC 39 Bromsgrove 22

NEWENT made light of missing several regular starters to reclaim third place from visitors Bromsgrove with an outstanding performance in front of an enthusiastic Rec crowd.

The 39-22 victory means the Green Army remain unbeaten at home this season

After a below-par display at derby rivals Drybrook last time, this was a triumphant return to the team’s template of being clinical in taking chances while defending with total commitment.

With Nathan Brooks joining Tom Webb on the casualty list, the fly-half vacancy was filled very effectively by Doug Long, while Adrian Connelly moved from wing to cover Long’s usual full-back role.

The hosts took an early lead after a Bromsgrove dropped pass in midfield, Will Hartland hacking on before centre partner Joe Warner took over and touched down by the posts to give Long an easy conversion.

Newent then doubled their advantage, working upfield through several phases before a strong carry from Dan Fletcher, with the ball recycled and spun wide where Hartland ghosted through a tight gap with the cutest of show and goes to run clear to touch down.

Long added the extras from the left for a 14-0 lead.

A melee in the Newent 22 next saw yellow cards for Dan Fletcher and Boars No 8 Steven Leach.

Home No 8 Josh Lever – taking advantage of Laech’s absence – then made a good carry before a deft offload to hooker Ethan Allen, who kicked ahead and out-sprinted his chasers to pick up and dive over (19-0).

Bromsgrove needed to score and spent the closing minutes of the half camped deep in Newent territory.

The hosts held up an attacker over the line for a goal-line dropout which Long cleared to the 22, but Bromsgrove secured their line-out and a carry from Leach – back from the bin – ended with prop Jamie Constantine crossing under the posts and full-back Rhys Williams converting (19-7).

Bromsgrove added another three points after the restart, when Newent infringed at a ruck.

But a fine backs move then saw Fin Mellis come off his wing to make the extra man in the line, before Kyle Towers on the left touch broke towards the 22, handing inside to Joe Warner to go over behind the posts for the bonus point try, Long converting (26-10).

The line-out was next secured after a superb 50:22 from Adrian Connelly and the pack drove towards the line, but a Bromsgrove hand knocked on.

Ben Brown – on at No 8 for an injured Lever – then fed scrum-half Dylan Leney on the blindside, who wriggled over in the right-hand corner for an unconverted try (31-10).

But Bromsgrove hit back with a try wide on the right after prolonged pressure, and then scored again directly from the restart, Steven Leach fielding the kick before Rhys Williams was found in space and made a beeline for the posts without a hand laid on him, converting for 31-22.

Newent’s head coach Sam Goatley brought himself on after Hartland limped off, and made a crucial turnover, ripping the ball and then riding several big hits to retain possession.

Bromsgrove were penalised at the ruck and Long slotted the three points (34-22), before Connelly stole a loose ball in stoppage time and fed Garrett Myers who raced from his own 22 to score Newent’s sixth and final try (39-22).

Newent visit Stourbridge on Saturday (March 7), while Ross RFC, who didn’t play at the weekend, host Matson 2nds.