Sat 2 Oct 2021
The match was played in what could be best described as trying conditions of wind and rain and once again Newbold had forced changes to the starting fifteen. Writes Phil Fereday.
Head coach Huw Thomas having now had to use 31 players along with untold number of positional changers already this season. This post Covid season is proving very challenging in more ways than one? But always looking for a positive it is giving players an opportunity to step up and establish themselves. The match started with the visitor’s having first use of the conditions having the wind at their backs and Whitchurch soon settled into using the advantage by kicking deep into Newbold’s half at any opportunity and Newbold therefore running the ball out of defence back up field. So, after a period of attacks Whitchurch broke through the Bolds defence to score a converted try 0-7. Both sides were trying to run the ball in spite of the conditions but handling was always going to be difficult. The Bold were getting some quality ball at line out through Micky Pails and Rob Sandercock but the match was now being played in the middle of the park with no side able to make the breakthrough again before halftime.
The second half started well for Newbold having brought on Manny Sidhu who was making a welcome return from injury and the winger soon made an impact being on the end of a well worked move to score a try between the posts which was converted by Ethan Wookey 7-7. Unfortunately, his return was short lived having to come off soon afterwards with a recurring injury. The game now turned into a stalemate with both sides cancelling each other out. Scoring opportunities were hard to come by with Newbold young centres Dale Heaton and Oisin Mckenna both making telling breaks to no avail. Skipper Ben Thompson once again led from the front and marshalling his pack of forwards well but a breakthrough never came. The match ended with the visitors desperately trying to break down Newbold’s defence but in the end a draw seemed the best outcome for both sides
