Newbold RFC 26-22 Old Coventrians
Midlands W2 S

A large gathering of Vice Presidents ensured the home side was well supported for their first home game of the season.
Playing against a strong swirling wind, Newbold started strongly keeping their opposition pinned back in their own half and were soon rewarded with a well taken penalty by Glenn Bond for the first score of the game. 3-0. Newbold continued to apply all the early pressure but a dropped ball was seized on by Covent’s backs and a breakaway from their backs enabled an easy score under the posts duly converted and the lead 3-7 against the run of play. Newbold continued to press into the opposition half and quick ball from scrum half Stuart Lynch fed winger Danny Facer whose 30 yard dash outstripped the pursuing defence dispatched by Bond to regain the lead.10-7. Both sides tried to gain the upper hand and play see sawed between both halves with Newbold being awarded two penalties both converted by Bond whilst Covents won one also converted  16-10. With half time looming, Newbold continued to apply all the pressure in the visitors half, a well won ball from the forwards was shipped out to the backs, a long pass was well intercepted and a 50 yard dash to the line, converted finished the first half, Covent’s taking the lead 16-17
The second half started much the same as the first, the home side making good ground with the back row of Ben Edge, Jim Marney and Facer leading the way, securing good ball only to make elementary mistakes and give the ball away. An attack into the home sides 22 was snuffed out with Newbold being awarded a penalty when Covents failed to release the ball in the tackle. The clearance kick put Newbold into an attacking position only for the line out to be overturned and the visitors attacking in numbers. Newbold’s defence was stretched but managed to halt their attackers on the line, conceding a scrum, from which Covents pushed Newbold back and scrambled the touch down unconverted increasing the lead to 16-22
Again Newbold took the initiative, forcing the opposition to defend. Time after time simple mistakes prevented the home side capitalising on their territorial advantage. A well won scrum delivered a well aimed kick into the opposition 22, not straight again let them off the hook clearing the ball to the half way line, another forwards advance, released Daz Dean back from injury whose 20 yd breakaway split the defence, Edge taking it further forward and Paulo Calverhal receiving the ball committing the defenders before shipping it out to Facer who thundered over the line for another unconverted try reducing the deficit to just one point. 21-22 Already 5 minutes into injury time and the game slipping away Newbold’s urgency for points lifted the tempo and with both sides desperate to keep the ball in the opposition half it was going to take something special to increase the homes sides score line. A clearance from Covents 22 found youngster Dave Barclay and with some searing pace he evaded 2 tackles and raced for the line, touching down wide out, unconverted and the winning score. 26-22
A hard won victory by the better side on the day, if Newbold can cut out the mistakes in the elemental areas of the pitch they will become a hard side to beat.
On Sat. Newbold travel to local rivals Old Laurentians, this is sure to be a very hard fought game where both sides will give their all to ensure local bragging rights are maintained. All supporters will be much needed and very welcome.