Sat 30 Oct 2021
Halloween but no nightmare display by a well-prepared Newbold team on the away trip to Hereford writes Phil Fereday.
The match kicked off on a wet but picture postcard ground of Hereford on a sunny afternoon and straight away Newbold showing no signs of the long road trip and were on the attack working their way into the home side 22 and from a well-executed line out drove over the home side try line for Rob Sandercock to score a try which was converted by Ethan Wookey 0-7. Newbold continued to test the home defence and they conceded a penalty which Ethan Wookey kicked from 40 metres out 0-10. It seemed the home side finally settled down and they started to get more into the game and it was Newbold’s turn to defend giving full back Henry Chamberlain making a fine first team debut chance to settle in and make some fine clearance kicks.
So just when half time approached Hereford finally broke through Newbold’s defence to score a converted try 7-10 at half time and it was still any sides game. The second half began with both sides battling it out in the middle field but with Kyle Furlong and Charlie Reid making tackles and dominating the breakdown stopping any home side attacks Newbold began to get back on top. So, from a well won breakdown the Bold forwards moved downfield with strong carries from Ben Dawes and Ben Thompson until scrum half Jamie Mapletoft spotted a gap in the defence which he burst through to sprit over from 22 metres out to score a try which was converted by Ethan Wookey 7-17. Hereford were down but not out and came back at Newbold but could only manage a penalty 10-17. Newbold kept pressing for another score but it was not to be. The journey home was made better for all after a truly good team performance.
