Earlsdon 30 – Newbold 27

The Newbold 2’s travelled to Earlsdon for their second match of the season after a heavy defeat to Nuneaton Old Eds a few weeks ago. Another warm Saturday presented its own difficulties, but with call-ups to the first team and last minute call-offs the bench was reduced to a single forward.

The game started strong for Newbold playing up hill and into the sun. It was evident that Earlsdon’s No. 10 was their best player and would be a thorn in the Boldys side all after noon, kick after kick to the bottom corner set up the home side with some promising attacking opportunities, none of which came to anything. Newbold exerted considerable pressure on the home side, pinning them in their own half for much of the first quarter of the game.

A lapse in concentration however allowed Earlsdon’s large forwards to power through a missed tackle and score against the run of play. This was soon followed up by a second.  Finally before half time a sweet drop goal from J. Riley lifted the Bolds heads. HT 12-3.

Newbold started the second half knowing what was required and mindful that Earsldon had not made the most of the slope or the sun in the first half. Again the Bold pinned the home side in their own 22, but failed to get through. Earlsdon’s No. 10 continued to dominate their play, but received a yellow card for intentional blocking at a penalty. Newbold made the most of this advantage by scoring a try, but succumbed to a try and a penalty of their own again against the run of play to make the score 25-10.

Some more strong play from Newbold added a second try to bring the score to 25-15. The momentum was with the visitors as discipline began to fail for the home side, Newbold turned the screw to add a third and nearly scored on two further occasions only to be undone by a very poor lineout decision from the Newbold Manager Dave ‘I’m a football coach’ Henry. A skilful tap back in and counter attack from the Newbold back line was stopped in mid flow for ‘the line-out that never was’. A lineout that Earlsdon won and scored from to make it 30-20 with minutes to go.

Newbold’s back was up but with only 5 minutes to go there was not a lot that could be done. A break from the scrum put some last minute pressure on the home side, more indiscipline for the Earlsdon defence resulted in a Red card for a prop. Scrums went unopposed and Newbold score a converted try, 30-27. Minutes remained and the experienced Earlsdon playmakers slowed the game down to end a very good game from both sides, FT 30-27.

All in all a very good performance from all the squad, good discipline and strong tackling helped in defence, but fitness and organisation hindered in attack. 2 or 3 missed kicks, one of which was ‘un-missable’ (Sam ‘I can’t miss’ White) was a bitter pill to swallow, but great team spirit and commitment from all shows that there are only god things ahead for this years 2nd Team.

Tries: S. White, R. Gibson, C. Paige, T. Owen
Conversions: S. White, J. Riley
Drop Goals: J. Riley

Next weeks sees another Away fixture to local rivals AEI, meet 12.45