Sat 25 Jan 2025
Newbold travelled to Stockwood Park knowing they would be in for a hard game following their narrow home victory earlier in the season. What wasn’t expected was that Newbold would be on the end of a 50-12 hammering after a very disappointing display.
Stockwood Park’s ground lies under the flightpath from Luton Airport, but it was the visitors who made a flying start scoring a converted try within the first three minutes. Awarded a penalty, Newbold kicked to the corner and, with a rolling maul from the lineout, Ben Nuttall crashed over to score a try which was converted by Nathan Gray. More was to follow with Toby Lafferty intercepting a loose ball and feeding Finn Conway whose break allowed acting captain, Lee Lightowler, to score a fine try to extend Newbold’s lead to 12 points to the delight of the small band of travelling supporters.
Stockwood Park were finally stung into action and, from the restart, scored a try in the corner after their winger outstripped the Newbold defence. From the restart, Newbold were penalised again for not retreating after a clearing kick. Stockwood Park kicked for the corner and an excellent back line move enabled them to score their second try under the posts which bought the scores level again at 12-12 after only 19 minutes of play.
For the rest of the half Newbold were under the cosh as Stockwood Park launched attack after attack with the visitors unable to clear their lines due to numerous errors and indiscipline. Although Newbold tackled tenaciously, with Lee Lightowler leading by example, they were unable to prevent Stockwood Park scoring two more tries before the interval to lead 24-12.
The second half served up more of the same with Stockwood Park scoring four more tries as their powerful team dominated Newbold whose inexperienced team seemed to be punished for every error they made. To their credit, Newbold stuck to their task with Toby Lafferty, Duzza Ziba and Fin Reed prominent, and were still trying to attack when the final whistle went. Unfortunately, after taking an early lead, Newbold were comprehensively beaten and were, to some extent, architects of their own downfall. They are a talented enough side to improve on this performance in time to face Bugbrooke next Saturday.
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