Regional One Midlands

Newent RFC 37 Bridgnorth 34

THE Green Army were in the ascendency in the early stages against a bigger Bridgnorth team, managing to dominate the early scrums and unfortunate to be held up over the try line, writes Frank Bowe.

But from the ensuing drop out, the ball was thrown wide to the right and Adrian Connelly found the metre of space he needed to outstrip the defence and score in the corner.

Bridgnorth started to make their speed and strength tell and the Newent defence were drawn in, leaving space outside for Luke Brough to go over, with his try converted by fly-half Reece Boughton.

And although Newent were brave and effective in defence, they could not stop a second try from five metres for 5-14.

A Boughton penalty made it 5-17 to be followed by a comedy of errors as the ball ricocheted off several players from each team before being gathered by Newent.

From some 30m from their own try line, the Newent three-quarters set up a fast counter attack, the ball being interchanged several times before being touched down by James Hartland.

And great interplay between the backs then led to centre George Alvis scoring on his Newent debut with the try converted.

But a penalty put the Shropshire visitors in front at the break 19-20.

After the restart, Tom Webb missed his first penalty but an offside offered another chance which he took.

And Newent then scored an early contender for try of the season, when from a scrum in their own half, Webb delayed his pass to Kyle “Tackle Breaker” Towers who had moved from the right wing to make an incursion between the centres on the left.

He brushed past a defender and offloaded the ball, which travelled through several pairs of hands before being touched down to the right of the posts by Alvis, with the try converted.

An uncharacteristically poor touch kick from Webb was the trigger for Newent’s next score, fielded well by the Bridgnorth right wing who cleared with a kick.

The ball ended up back in Webb’s hands who threw a dummy and made yards before offloading to the three-quarters who, once again, produced dazzling interplay for Nathan Brooks to score the fifth try.

Newent attacked again and a long pass was thrown to veteran Dan Fletcher who raced 30m down the line to score – which contributed to him receiving the Man of the Match award.

At 37-20 the match seemed to be over, but the rest of the game was spent in the Newent half and much of it in their 22.

Another converted Bridgnorth try made it 37-27 before the Newent scrum-half was tackled high and persistent team offences saw it made 14-aside.

But a tap penalty led to the visitors crossing under the posts and converting for 37–34.

Newent were now forced to tackle as though their lives depended on it, but referee Alex Mulcahy finally blew to end the tension, with the hosts hanging on for victory.

The Green Army visit Bournville this Saturday (October 18).

Elsewhere, Ross lost 34-19 at home to a strong Widden Old Boys outfit and next play derby rivals Drybrook 3rds at home a week on Saturday (October 25).