Sat 27 Nov 2021
Home defeat for Newbold in Arctic storm conditions but it was a credit to both sides that the game went ahead. Writes Phil Fereday.
The match kicked off with Ludlow having first use of the gale force wind at their backs and immediately made good use of it by kicking to the corners at every opportunity forcing Newbold to play from deep in their own half and it was not long before the away side scored a converted try 0-7. So, the pattern of play was set with Ludlow pinning Newbold down in their own half and scoring another converted try and kicking a penalty making the score 17-0 after 30 minutes of play. It was not all one-way traffic and Newbold were getting their fair share of possession but they were finding ball retention and handling difficult in these conditions but after putting some phrases together found themselves with an attacking lineout some 10 metres out from the visitor’s goal line and with a good catch and drive the Bold pack drove the opposition over the line with Ben Dawes touching down in the corner 5-17 .It stayed at this score line till half time and the expectations of the home crowd were that this score could be reversed in the second half with the conditions in their favour. This optimism was soon to be shattered with Ludlow scoring two converted tries from deep in their own half both scores coming after hard work from the Bold after grinding away through the phrases but having to see the visitor’s pouncing on loose ball and speeding around Newbold’s cover defence to score. This making the score 5-31 moving into the final quarter of the match. Still the Bold were determined to get back into the game and from a breakdown a well won ball by Ben Dawes was passed onto Rob Sandercock who by running a superb line broke through the visitor’s defence to run in from 35 metres out to score a try which was converted by Ethan Wookey 12-31. Newbold now threw everything into attack trying to get something out of the game but sometimes when things are not going for you things get worse and so it was with Ludlow rounding of a good day at the office for them by scoring two more tries making the final score line 12-43.
