Newbold Colts (sponsored by Revolution DRS Ltd) 20 Barkers Butts Colts 7
Newbold welcomed a strong Barkers side full of county players to a hot and sunny Parkfield Rd. Having never beaten them in all their previous meetings they were fired up and determined to make amends. But it was the visitors who started the brighter and for the first fifteen minutes dominated the possession and territory. But they were finding it difficult to break down a very resilient home defence. It soon became apparent that the Barkers forwards were struggling to compete with a very passionate and aggressive Newbold pack and were apprehensive to commit players into any rucks or mauls.
Newbold’s game plan was then to keep it within the eight and this paid off after thirty minutes. Barkers were caught off side deep in the Newbold half Stu Houghton kicked long and found touch within thirty yards of the visitors line. The line out was won by James Henry, the ball was set and Newbold forwards rolled the maul over to score the first points with Danny Treharne placing the ball over the line. 5-0 The score remained this until half time.
Barkers came out more fired up for the second half and tried to run the ball but Newbold’s backs were more than a match for them. It was some great backs play that created the next try when they ran the ball nearly the full length of the pitch. Barkers conceded another penalty and Stu Houghton kicked to the corner once again and Newbold’s pack pushed over Danny Treharne making the score 10-0. Growing in confidence Newbold began to dominate in all areas.
The front row of Ben Hartwell, Stu Houghton and Captain Jamie Doherty were too strong for their opposite numbers and were winning all the scrums. On the hour once again Barkers conceded another penalty and had a player sent off for purposely being off side. The inevitable happened Stu Houghton kicked to the corner and once again the powerful Newbold pack pushed on and James Henry dived over to make it 15-0.With five minutes to go and with almost a carbon copy of the last try Joel Bale picked up from the back of the maul and trampled over his own players to ground the ball and make it 20-0. Barkers scored a consolation try and conversion in the dying minutes to make the final score 20-7.
This was a complete team effort every player should be proud of themselves beating one of the best teams in the county.
