Sat 8 Jan 2022
The Bold start the New Year with a win after travelling further down the Avon to Stratford taking with them a large band of vocal traveling supporters Writes Phil Fereday.
Stratford started the game with a proud record of not being beaten at home for a year and with the scalp of beating run away league leaders Lichfield last time out so Newbold needed to continue with the improved performance that was shown last time out. The first quarter of the game Newbold having the possession kept the home side pinned in their own half and came close to scoring on a few occasions but a very determined defence of the home side frustratedly kept them out and it was against the run of play that Stratford having worked their way up field scored in the corner a converted try 7-0. Now Newbold once again worked themselves downfield into the home side red zone and pounded away at their defence and after a series of pick and drive from the forwards the ball was released out for Dan Obrien who broke through the defence to score a try under the post which he converted 7-7. Moving into the second quarter neither side could not breakdown their defences in what was proving to be an enthralling match and it was not until the last few minutes of the first half the home side broke the deadlock and scored after a driving maul a unconverted try 12-7.So once again Newbold had to play catch up and it did not take them long in the last play of the first half Newbold worked their way along the touchline after a series of penalties committed by the home side and from a well-executed line out catch and drive Ben Dawes drove over in the corner for a unconverted try 12-12 at half time.
Expectations were that more tries would be scored in the second half but that was not to be but none the less it was a ding dong battle between two well matched sides that had the crowd on the edge of their seats. The first points came from a penalty by Dan Obrien 12-15. It was the first time the Bold had been in front in the game. Moving into the last quarter of the match it was good to see the welcome return of Rudi Reid coming on as sub making his first appearance of the season after a serious injury. As the match moved into the final stages a tiring Stratford conceded another penalty which Dan Obrien converted 12-18. It would be unfair to single out individuals but better to say that this was a fine team performance by Newbold with every member playing his part.
