Sat 7 Sep 2019
And so a new season for Newbold begins. It brings with it some new faces to the organisation notably head coach Huw Thomas and some new players of which two of them were making an appearance today. Newbold resume where they left off last season in Midlands West 1 and for the first game travelled to league newcomers Ludlow who had been promoted. After a some what difficult journey by coach Newbold arrived later than planned so the pre game warm up was curtailed and this showed in the first few minutes of the game.
Ludlow kicked off and played into an intermitted wind Newbold gained procession in the 22 and made ground before kicking to touch. From the lineout on halfway Ludlow threw in and kept possession moving the ball swiftly along the line and winning the break downs. Newbold were defending well until from 30 meters out the centre found a gap in Newbold’s defence to run through to touch down unopposed between the post which was converted 7 nil to the home side. This seemed to spark the Bold into life and after a period of play with strong runs from Ben Dawes and Ben Thompson a penalty was awarded to the Bold. The kick at goal was declined and it was despatched into touch by Dan O”Brien. Stuart Hougton accurate throw was won by Micky Pails and the pack then drove for the line swiftly moving the opposition back resulting in Stuart Hougton touching down for a try which was converted by O”brien. 7 -7 after 10 mins. What now followed was a period of play with the Bold pack dominating the opposition pushing them back at will at scrum time and winning clean ball in the line out but some ill discipline and a few handling errors helped the opposition clear there lines. After 25 mins from a well won lineout by Tom Dixon and a strong run by B Thompson saw the ball being transferred to Ethan Wookey who made a superb clean break to feed the hard working Sam Thompson to score close to the posts. Try converted by Obrien 7-14 to the Bold. During this touch down a Ludlow player was given a yellow card for foul play. From the restart the Bold continued to attack with the forwards now completely dominating winning balls against the head at will and pushing the opposition back 10 meters at a time at the set scrum. The two debutant Bold players were also shining with back row Rudi Reid doing some strong ball carries and scrum half Reiss Boon good distribution of the ball. Frustratingly some chancers went a begging but after 37 mins with the Bold forwards driving for the line. Ben Dawes after being stopped twice before was not going to be denied and finally dived across the line for a score converted by Obrien 7-21 to the Bold. From the re start Ludlow kept the Bold in their 22 for the last few minutes of the half and on the stroke of half time Newbold conceded a penalty between the post 10-21 end of half.
The second half began with the home side attacking though their strong running backs and after 44 mins of play James McGill was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on. After a period of some scrappy play in Newbold’s half the ball found its way to Ludlow’s winger who was in space due to the extra man he ran in for a try which was converted 17-21 to the Bold. Play resumed and Newbold were forced into some changers Ethan Wookey (cut on knee ) and Stuart Hougton (calf stain ) were replaced by Sam Powell and Ben Hartwell and Charlie Reid for Micky Pails. What followed was a period of play were once again Newbold attacking but failing to score. On 65 mins a Bold attack was halted and in broken play Ludlow gather a loose ball and broke away to score totally against the run of play. Try was converted 24-21 to Ludlow. Play restarted and after a few minutes of play the referee was accidently flatten by a marauding Charlie Reid. Thankfully after some treatment he was able to resume play. Soon afterward a period of attacking play Newbold were awarded a penalty between the post which was convert by Obrien 24-24.
The final minutes of the game followed the pattern of the game with the Bold forwards taking it to Ludlow who again with some stern defence held out till the 79min when the Bold were award a penalty some 45 meters out. Dan Obrien kick into the wind fell just short. So the clock beat any further scoring chance. Was it points won or points lost for the Bold only time will tell.
Penned by Phil Fereday
