Newbold RFC 7 -24 Barkers Butts
Midlands W 2 South

Barkers first visit into the Newbold half in the first 2 minutes of play resulted in a converted penalty. This was followed up with continued pressure from Barkers in the home sides 22 and strong rucking and mauling advanced the visitors over the goal line, converted increasing the score to 0-10. Although Newbold were still competing in every facet of play, it appeared that every lose ball or simple opportunity appeared to favour the visitors, a break through the middle of the defence sent Barkers clear and slick handling along their threes further increased the score.0-17 Newbold disagreed with the decision, claiming the ball had not been grounded and were penalised from the kick off. Stuart Lynch caught the ball and set off on a sniping little run before feeding Glenn Bond in support, a chip ahead from Rich Allen returned a penalty however the kick at goal went narrowly wide. An immediate response from Barkers was ferociously defended and the ball was run from defence to attack only for the half time whistle to prevent Newbold from a potential score.
Newbold started the second half and a long kick down the middle of the park was secured by fullback Simon Ferris who returned the kick deep into Barkers 22, a series of plays in the middle of the park ensued before a short pass to Danny Facer who made good ground before setting the threes away and with the ball switching from one side of the pitch to the other where Ben Harrison took the final pass, scoring wide out, Bond adding the touch line conversion. 7-17. A series of pressure from Newbold failed to produce any more points and the first visit into their half allowed the visitors to benefit from a knock on and quickly fed ball along the backs produced a final try. 7-24.
A game where Newbold came off second best, again too many mistakes in critical areas of the pitch and the rub of the green deserted them.
Saturday Newbold make the short trip to Bedworth, both teams needing to gain points to lift them in the League table so this is sure to be a highly contested game. All support will be very welcome.