Sat 23 Nov 2019, 14:15
Newbold returned to action after an enforced week’s break due to waterlogged pitches to play the league leaders Kenilworth. The game was played after the Vice Presidents dinner and the Bold served up some tasty afters for the large crowd to enjoy. Writes Phil Fereday
The game kicked off with Newbold having No 8 Sam Thompson returning from injury adding more power and options to a strong back row of Tom Dixon, Wes Hallam and Kyle Furlong. Straight away from the kick-off, the Bold were on the attack testing the visitor’s defence first with the forwards pick and go and then the backs swiftly moving the ball along the line. After 7 mins of play player-coach Huw Thomas made a clean break on the halfway line and he found Wes Hallam in support who in turn passed the ball on to fellow backrower Kyle Furlong to round of the move to score in between the post. The try was converted by Dan Obrien 7-0 to Newbold. The next score came after 22 mins after a period of determined defence with Josh Cooke once again being solid under the high ball well supported by Lee Lightowler and James McGill the Bold broke out with Ed Scott and Ethan Wookey inter-passing and pressed for a score this came by means of a Dan Obrien penalty 10-0 to the home side. Newbold were by no means having it all their own way but the league leaders could not break down the home side defence once again Tom Dixon leading the way with some strong hits but Newbold to a man were strong in the tackle and the final score of the first half was once again a Dan Obrien penalty for the Bold 13-0.
The second half followed a similar pattern of the first half but Kenilworth managed to keep out the Bold in spite of periods when the Bold battered away at their line with strong carries from Rudi Reid, Ben Dawes and Stu Houghton. Kenilworth came more into the game and got on the score sheet with a well-taken penalty 13-3 after 60mins. Just when it seemed that neither side would cross the line again Kenilworth broke through to score a converted try 13-8 after 75mins. The remainder of the game was played out in the centre of the pitch with both sides defences holding out. The final whistle blew to the vocal cheers of the home supporters. It was Newbold well-organised defence that proved to be the winning factor and the difference between the sides. Coach Huw Thomas praised the players afterwards and said the hard work put in training was paying dividends throughout all the teams in the club
The VP Party resumed in the clubhouse with the players joining in the fun for a few well-earned beers.
