Regional Midlands One

Dudley Kingswinford 27 Newent RFC 57

NEWENT 1st XV recovered from a slow start to pick up their third away win of the season in the Midlands.

A sunny afternoon and firm going on a large pitch made for expansive rugby and, with the encouragement of head coach Sam Goatley, the visitors ran the ball from everywhere, notching up nine tries.

But it was Dudley who opened the scoring inside three minutes, taking advantage of a messy Newent lineout

The Green Army responded from the restart, but failed to convert a couple of try-scoring chances, before Dudley then made it 10-0 on 13 minutes.

But Newent finally got on the scoreboard inside the first quarter with a fine try stemming from a line-out on their 10m line.

Garrett Myers made the key break up the middle before finding back-row colleague Josh Lever, with Doug Long’s conversion making it 10-7.

Shortly afterwards though, Newent second row James Marshall was yellow carded after one breakdown penalty too many, and the hosts soon added another unconverted try (15-7).

But Newent were quick to strike back after being restored to full strength, Long kicking to touch 10m out after Fin Mellis was stopped by a high tackle, and Ethan Allen’s short throw returned to him by Myers and the hooker touching down, with Long converting (15-14.)

Allen relieved the pressure of a penalty by intercepting a pass and charging into the opposition half, before Will Hartland’s cross kick was chased hard by centre partner Nathan Brooks, who forced a hurried clearance.

Marshall secured the lineout and strong carries from Myers and Brooks made space for Marshall’s second row partner Leo Oakey to finish wide with another good conversion from Long (15-21).

Newent came close to extending their lead on half-time, Allen being stopped just short after a trademark carry,.

But Oakey carried the second-half kick-off hard to Dudley’s 10m line, before Long kicked a ruck penalty to the corner and, after Josh Lever was held up over the line, the visitors won another penalty.

Ben Brown secured the throw, the maul drove to the line and Jim Hartland – on as a replacement in the back row – touched down at its rear, with the try converted (15-28).

Long created the next try, breaking down the blindside after a scrum against the head before delivering an inch-perfect grubber for Mellis to touch down (15-33).

Dudley then made it 22-33 but Newent were quick to reassert themselves, replacement scrum-half Dylan Leney running back a box kick before Long repeated his blindside break and grubber.

Brooks took the perfectly-weighted kick on and Long’s conversion took Newent to 40 points.

Allen and Myers next combined to take an overthrow on Newent’s 10m deep into the hosts’ territority, and the driving maul gave Hartland his second try from a ruck penalty.

Newent were then reduced to 13 after yellow cards for Leney and Tom Woodman for deliberate knocks-on.

And the lineout reverted to its earlier difficulties before Dudley made it 27-45

Allen made another interception to run in under the posts from 30m out however, Long converting.

And quick ruck ball and another delightful dink through from Long presented Mellis – named Newent’s man of the match – with his second try from the final play.

Newent host Lichfield on Saturday (March 28).