Regional 1 South West

Weston-super-Mare 38 Newent 10

AN inexperienced Newent side, with seven members of the matchday squad making their 1sts competitive debut, were taught a lesson in taking chances on their first visit to Weston’s Recreation Ground in ten years.

They went behind to a converted try within two minutes, when Weston’s outside centre Huw Morgan crossed from close range following a textbook driving maul.

And although Newent went on to have much the better of territory and possession for most of the first half, a lack of composure at key moments coupled with excellent defence kept their scoresheet blank.

That was despite yellow cards for Weston’s half-backs Keanu Ballard for a high tackle on Adrian Connolly when the full-back was just metres from the line and Blake Boyland.

And it was doubly frustrating when a cheap penalty at a ruck provided the platform for Weston to score again in the closing minutes of the half when their maul drove over from fully 22m, blindside Bradley Hebberd getting the touchdown for 12-0 at the break.

Early in the second-half Weston lost another player to a yellow card, second row Tom Sugg for a high tackle on Fin Mellis, and this time Newent took advantage.

A superb cross-kick from inside centre Will Hartland found Josh Lever wide on the right and the big blindside finished well, although the conversion went wide (12-5).

But Weston responded with quick two tries, another driving maul from a lineout setting up scrum-half Boyland to dummy his way over, before a cross-kick was gathered by left-winger Stuart Souch to score another converted try (26-5).

Newent’s scrum was then shunted off their own ball 10m out, and Weston kicked the penalty to the corner.

The lineout then led to a clever exchange of passes before loose head Gary Carpenter touched down in the left-hand corner, Ballard converting again (33-5).

Newent’s Josh Hill then saw yellow for obstructing his opposite number in the chase for a kick to the corner, giving Weston a lineout 5m out.

And another driving maul released hooker Tom Hatch to touch down for 38-5.

To their credit, Newent kept battling away and were rewarded with a second try with the last play of the game.

Sean Barriskell’s throw-in at an attacking lineout was on the money and Will Hartland, joining in the maul from the backs claimed the touchdown.

Despite the loss, Newent’s head coach Sam Goatley was pleased with many aspects of his side’s performance, praising the contribution of all the debutants and particularly the young half-back pairing of Matt Bounday and Tom Cowan.

He acknowledged that the failure to turn pressure into points in the first half was costly but was hopeful that the squad would learn from the experience and be better equipped for the challenges ahead.

Newent: A Connelly; J Hill, K Towers, W Hartland, F Mellis; T Cowan, M Boundy; E Wallin, S Barriskell, T Woodman; J Marshall, J Devries; J Lever, J Hartland, B Vincent. Replacements: H Smith, L Oakey, T Devries, D Bridge.

Newent’s 2nds, the Phoenix, made their return to the league pyramid in Counties 4 Gloucestershire North, but were beaten 42-7 at home by Old Cryptians.

Ross 1sts also opened their account in the same division with a 34-14 reverse at home to Old Patesians.

Fixtures this Saturday (October 3) – Exmouth v Newent 1sts, Minchinhampton v Ross-on-Wye, Newent Phoenix v Spartans Gloucester.