Newbold RFC 22-12 Daventry RFC

Newbold welcomed Daventry to Parkfield Road for a non league game. The first friendly fixture in a long, long time.

Newbold kicked off with several debutants on show due to injuries and players unavailability's. Early skirmishes were even with neither side giving anything away. The home side were awarded a penalty which was dispatched into touch deep in Dav's 22. A well worked lineout won by Gurjit Rupal was quickly passed to colt Paul Cunningham, playing his first senior game who scythed through the opposition defence for his first ever senior try, unconverted. 5-0 With the forwards winning a glut of ball the backs had ample opportunity to attack the opposition, however wrong options and poor handling ended several potential moves. A long searching kick from Millar was pounced on by the Newbold forwards, but the knock on resulted in Dav clearing their line as far as Jamie Ferriss and Cunningham in support made good ground before being tackled failing to release the ball resulting in a penalty for the visitors. A quick tap and go caught Newbold unawares with the winger seizing the ball and breezing past some almost non existent defence for a well taken converted try and the lead 5-7. The play see sawed from both ends of the pitch with both sides producing some decent phases of play, a try saving tackle from Ferriss and the ball retrieved by Dav sent along their backs but a fumble allowed Newbold the chance to hack the ball clear only for the home side to knock on 5 yds from their own goal line, from a well won scrum the Dav winger was again on hand to take the final pass and force himself over the line, unconverted increasing the lead to 5-12. From the kick off Stuart Lynch secured the ball before off loading to Danny Facer taking the ball at pace and on contact fed Millar whose quick hands gave the ball to Kev Mills who advanced some good ground into the defence where Capt. Rich Allen in good support finished the move scoring wide out, again unconverted reducing the deficit. 10-12 and the half time whistle.

From the kick off Newbold forced the visitors to defend their 22 and their attempted clearance went only as far as Ferriss who raced towards the goal line committing the Dav fullback before unselfishly feeding Allen in support who finished another good move again unconverted but restoring the lead. 15-12. The home side began to force themselves more into the game showing their strength pushing Dav 10 yards off their own scrum and making good ground, however mistakes from both sides prevented either team capitalising on the score. Dav's line out on their 22 was missed and Facer seized upon the ball pushing forward towards the line, releasing the ball to Lynch in support who made the line with Millar converting for the final score 22-12. Newbold can take some credit for the manner in which they played this game, with over half the recognised first choice members missing, the players who came in played very well, the team as a whole played as a unit and deserved this win. Next week Newbold resume their league campaign travelling to Spartans which is sure to be a difficult game. All supporters will be made very welcome.