Newbold 57 – Dunlop 14

The Newbold 2’s came out with another strong side on paper determined to put last weeks poor defeat to local rivals AEI behind them and kick start their season after 4 losses. Due to the restricted numbers in the squad 4 players had to be turned away at the last minute, thanks goes to K. Sutton, A. Doyle, T. Newbold and S. Fletcher for being so understanding. Plans are in place to set up a third team from next week combining some of the 2nd team squad with some of the colts to form a Development side. This will not only help to blood some of the future 1st team players, but ensure no player is left without a game. A very encouraging sign indeed that the 2nds and Vets have up to 30 players each every week wanting to play.

The mood in the Newbold camp was different from previous weeks from the start, all were committed to the warm up as the squad members began to realise there was little fun to be had in loosing week after week. All the pieces started to fall into place as the delayed kick-off took place. Newbold were in Dunlop’s 22 within seconds and continued to remain encamped within 15m of the goal line for most of the first half. The forwards dominated the scrums led from the front by A. Jones, S. Heaton and D. Wiiliams and supported each other well beating the visitors to the breakdown every time, presenting scrum half J. Ferris with clean ball to spin out wide to the backs. G. Rupal made an immediate impact by setting up the first try and scoring the second.

The Dunlop side’s heads began to drop as the home side’s superior fitness came to the fore and wave after wave of attack proved too much for the Birmingham side. Dunlop tried something different and kicked long forcing their way into the Newbold 22 on more than one occasion, but the defence was strong and Newbold counter attacked before an injury to one of the visitors halted the game. Captain D. Gray gathered the team round and reminded all the need for focus and of their responsibilities to themselves, the team and the shirts they were wearing. The game restarted and Newbold powered their way back into the Dunlop 22 scoring a third by A. Borg and remaining their until the half time whistle, HT 19-0.

The second half started as the first, Newbold applied pressure and kept it up knowing they had to keep the momentum and not let a potentially dangerous Dunlop side back into the game. The visitors got a second wind and used their larger pack to plough the ball up the centre field, but Newbold’s defence held strong, allowing Newbold to counter attack through S. White and K. McLiesh and fly half J. Riley to add a penalty to secure a two try lead before S. Elliot (trying his hand at centre for the first time) scored his first and then second between the posts.

Fresh legs came on to help Newbold build on their lead as Newbold bid a final farewell to M. (Turkish) Sopir who leaves the club after 3 very glorious performances to a new job in London. So-long Borat, “I have enjoyed my time here, Newbold is the greatest clubs in the world; all other clubs are run by little girls. Newbold is number one drinkers of beer; food good also, it has been much much good, and you play rugby like bull also.” Thanks Mustafa!!!!

Some great play from K. Mills switched to the back row set up another set of darting runs from the backs build up the pressure, but the inevitable loss of concentration from the Newbold players came only minutes from the end when a strong maul from the Dunlop pack (after a clear infringement wasn’t picked up by the referee) forced it’s way over the tryline for a controversial consolation try. Newbold counter attacked immediately as Vice Captain M. Dymek himself slip over between the posts.

Dunlop added a second to their total before beginning to crumble as Newbold sealed the game with a powerful run and try from S. Ferris and a charge down from F. Wilson to score between the posts, J. Riley duly took 7 out of 8 conversions, FT 57-14 and round two of the Cup.

An excellent performance by all on the pitch, with very few negatives a great starting point for next week. However, Newbold will have to step up their game again against a very strong Old Laurentians side who have score 197 points to 47 in the first four games of the season, a real test for both sides next Saturday, meet 12.45, K.O. 3pm