Sat 1 Mar 2025
Newbold welcomed high-flying Vipers to a sunny Parkfield Road knowing that they would be in for a difficult afternoon following a heavy defeat earlier in the season. In a hard fought and entertaining game, the visitors held on to win 25-18 despite a tenacious performance by Newbold. Newbold kicked off and immediately found themselves under pressure as Vipers launched a series of attacks only to be repelled by fierce Newbold defending. Eventually pressure told and Vipers scored a converted try in the corner to give the visitors an early seven point lead. Newbold were not overawed and from the restart a solid tackle by Lee Lightowler and a break by Oli Childerhouse took play deep into the Viper’s half before the ball was lost. Newbold continued to attack and a break by debutant Heath Cresswell, who had a fine game, was stopped illegally with a Vipers player receiving a yellow card. Although Newbold continued to attack the advantage did not last long as a Vipers player was tackled without the ball earning the home side player a yellow card. With Vipers kicking a penalty from near the 10 metre line the score was extended to 10-0.
Newbold were undeterred and a break by Phil Reed resulted in Vipers conceding a penalty in front of their posts which was kicked by Nathan Gray to reduce the deficit. This seemed to spur Newbold on and a kick downfield by Jamie Mapletoft was well chased by Lee Lightowler and forced the Vipers defence to knock on. From the scrum, attacks by Nathan Gray and Heath Cresswell took play close to the Vipers’ line where, after good work by Ben Nuttall, Phil Reed burst over for a try. Unfortunately, from the restart Newbold conceded a penalty from which Vipers scored a converted try to extend their lead. There was still time left in the first half for Vipers to score another penalty to give Vipers a 8-20 lead at half time.
The second half saw play going from end to end with both teams defences holding firm. With Vipers gradually beginning to dominate, a dangerous attack was stopped by brave defence from Jack Toolan who took play from Newbold’s line to the edge of the 22 before Jamie Mapletoft cleared to the halfway line. Another break from Lee Lightowler and Jack Toolan took play from deep within Newbold’s half into the Vipers 22 where another Vipers player received a yellow card for illegal play. From the ensuing lineout, Ben Nuttall muscled his way over the line for a try although the conversion was missed. Vipers, however, were not finished and hit back with another try in the corner which Newbold’s players, and the large group of spectators on the touchline, felt should not have been allowed by the referee who had a good game.
Newbold were not finished and a break by Jamie Mapletoft and Phil Reed, carried on by Lee Lightowler and Oli Childerhouse enabled Stu Houghton to crash over for a trademark try in the corner to reduce the deficit to only seven points.
With the game seemingly now in the balance, Newbold pressed for another score to level the match. Although play was now deep in the Vipers’ half, the visitors were able to hold on for a narrow victory. Newbold will be disappointed with the result but can be proud of their performance – especially in the second half of the game.
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