Spartans RFC 8-8 Newbold RFC
Midlands West 2 S
Spartans kicked the game off with Newbold's two new second rows, Tom Newbold and Simon Smith, both making their league debuts. Mistakes by both sides early on, led to penalties, with Spartans getting close enough to the posts to slot the first points.
3-0, a second attempt hitting the crossbar and Newbold managing to scramble the ball clear only as far as the home sides three quarter line who accelerated back into the Newbold half, an alert Dave Barclay intercepted the potential pass and made good ground before setting the visitors an attacking platform inside Spartans 22, with a grubber kick into touch. Spartans took the lineout and reached the half way line before being wiped out by Wilf Barclay who gained a penalty when the attackers failed to release the ball from the tackle. Danny Facer took the quick penalty and advanced 20 yards freeing Ben Harrison in support who outstripped the remaining defence with a burst of speed, scoring wide out unconverted to take the lead.
3-5 Newbold's inability to properly secure the ball from the kick off immediately created problems before Anthony Millar cleared the ball into touch on the half way line. Spartans mounted a long range attack passing the ball neatly along their threes, making good ground, however Dave Barclay playing on the left wing made an almighty tackle on the right wing halting the impending attack. Newbold's backs attacked from deep in their own half making good ground almost to the opposition 22 before being stopped illegally, Millar's conversion added the points.
3-8. The home side attacked back into Newbold's 22 with some strong forward mauling linking well with their backs but the defence was superb , keeping them at bay right on the half time whistle. 3-8 From the restart Newbold's kick went straight into touch, giving away a scrum, which they dispatched out to the wing where Newbold handled on the floor giving the opposition the chance to advance into Newbold's 22 with a fine line kick. Any danger was averted when Millar's clearance made the half way. A period of mid park play ensued where neither side was able to gain any real advantage, Millar chipped into Spartans 22 where Barclay gathered and charged at the line, however the final pass to Harrison supporting went astray ending a clear scoring opportunity. With Gurgit Rupal and Simon Smith both making tremendous contributions it was unfortunate that within 5 minutes of each other they both had to leave the field injured and then with Kevin Mills receiving a yellow card it left the Newbold pack very light weight. Spartans tried to take advantage opting for scrums whenever the chance arose, their mauling into the Newbold 22 was thwarted time after time until after one such phase they finally managed to force their way over, failing with the conversion to equalise the score at 8-8 Newbold had a further opportunity to regain the lead when a blatant offside in the home sides 22 from the base of a scrum was over ruled and the penalty reversed, some increased pressure from the hosts was again superbly defended and the full time whistle was a welcome sound for a well deserved if somewhat unlucky draw. Every Newbold player who came off the park can hold their heads high; this was a superb team effort which could have resulted in a well deserved win. On Saturday Newbold welcome Bedworth to Parkfield Rd, with both teams in the wrong half of the league, a win is needed by both teams. This is always a highly contested game and all support will be very welcome.
