NEWENT maintained their unbeaten Regional One Midlands home record with a bonus point 41-6 win over Dudley-Kingswinsford, writes Simon Barker.

Another immense defensive performance took the sting out of the Scorpions’ attack, while the Green Army scored six tries at the other end.

It was first blood to Newent as hooker Ethan Allen carried hard into the 22 before the home pack got the nudge on at the scrum for Tom Webb to kick a penalty.

The visitors from the Black Country were quickly back on level terms though after Newent were penalised in their 22.

A multi-phased attack, featuring Will Hartland, Ethan White and Ethan Allen, then took play deep into the opposite 22.

And when Dudley were penalised, Newent opted for a scrum, from which Adrian Connelly came off his wing to take Webb’s delayed short pass and race through to cross unopposed to the right of the posts, the latter converting to put the hosts 10-3 ahead after 30 minutes.

The visitors responded well again, but once more Newent’s defence refused to yield and Dudley had to settle for another three-pointer.

And in stoppage time, Kyle Towers burst through a gap in midfield and outstripped the cover to run in from the 10m line, with Webb’s conversion making it 17-6 despite much of the game having being played in Newent territory.

The first 10 minutes of the second half was again played deep in the hosts’ half, but again they defended resolutely.

A Leo Oakey turnover allowed Newent to lift the siege before they won a penalty at a ruck on their 10m line.

From the line-out, the ball was sent along the backs where another searing break from Towers took play deep into the 22.

Max Rodda-Lodder, making his debut off the bench, was stopped just short before Jim Hartland crossed for a try converted by Webb.

From defending their line to prevent Dudley closing to within a score to extending their lead to 24-6, Newent had struck a decisive blow and the bonus point followed soon, Brooks crossing on the right to complete a multi-phased attack after the visitors were penalised in their 22, and Webb converting.

Brooks was now on the field at fly-half, replacing Dylan Leney who took a knock to the head forcing Webb to assume the scrum-half role.

Newent’s defence was tested again but they held up a maul and won a penalty to relieve the pressure.

And another multi-phased Newent attack saw a series of pick and goes in the shadow of the posts, sucking in the defence before the ball was spun wide for Fin Mellis to finish in the corner, the touchline conversion going narrowly wide.

Newent then broke out of their own half to score the try of the game, sweet handling putting Adrian Connelly into space to scorch down the left-wing.

Openside Jim Hartland was in support after a tackle 30m out to run away to score in ‘Cauldron Corner’.

The five points take them to third in the table.