2014-2015 Season Kicks off

Newbury welcomed back some old faces and some new to join the regulars in this preseason friendly match against Cobham on NRFC’s Party on the Pitch Saturday
Cobham kick off the first 30min session on a sunny afternoon, for the first few minutes both teams are blowing away the summer break cobwebs. Newbury mount the first serious attack when Dan Thorne gathers a Richard West chip and breaks away with Iain Herriot in support, sadly the final pass is ruled forward ruling out a certain try. Cobham respond and their winger makes good ground up the touchline before a try saving tackle from Jack Walsh stops him allowing the Newbury defence to regroup and eventually win back possession.
On 16 minutes Eddie Farebrother breaks from midfield and as he is tackled pops the ball to winger Edward David who darts through the Cobham defence to score close to the posts, Richard West converting 7-0.
The next few minutes are spent in midfield as both defences and mistakes mean progress is halted, Cobham nearly break through but a great Dan Thorne tackle on Cobham’s fullback saves the day. Newbury end this 30min period on top and a good break by Tommy Martin and Steve Denner is halted by the touchline with a try beckoning.

Newbury kick off the second 30min session with nearly a totally different 15 on the pitch, the kick is re-gathered by Newbury and good ground is made before a forward pass gives Cobham the scrum and the chance to relieve the pressure. Cobham attack from the scrum and get up to halfway but their attacking kick forward bounces safely over the Newbury try line. Newbury just about win the scrum but are immediately under pressure and have to kick out of defence. Cobham attack but another big tackle from the Newbury defence forces the loose ball which is gathered by the Newbury backs who make good ground and get into Cobham’s half but again a spilt ball halts their progress. Cobham mount a counter attack and after several phases manage to score wide out on 15 mins 7-5.
Cobham attack straight from the kick off but spill the ball allowing Newbury to run out of defence through Josh Winfield and Josh Love, Cobham manage to slow up their progress but Newbury keep possession and after several phases Alex Price-Richards breaks through the Cobham defence to score 12-5 21mins
Cobham gather the kick off and spend several minutes camped in Newbury’s 22, good Newbury defence manages to keep them out. Eventually the pressure tells and from a lineout their forwards mange to trundle over to score wide out to make the score 12-10, and the end of the second period.

Newbury again make wholesale changes for the third period which Cobham kick off. Cobham manage to regain possession from the kick off and attack the Newbury defence with a sustained period of attacking play putting the Newbury defence under severe pressure, this is rewarded after several minutes when they cross to score their 3rd try and the lead for the first time 12-15.
Newbury retaliate and after several minutes of midfield play attack the Cobham line winning a penalty they kick into touch instead of the posts and are rewarded when Josh Winfield breaks through the Cobham defence to score 17-15.
Neither side are able to break through and score in the last few minutes, the final whistle is blown bringing an end to an entertaining and hard fought clean season opening friendly match

Well done to both teams for an entertaining start to the 2014-2015 season, a good clean close fought game giving the spectators a taste of hopefully what is to come for the rest of the season

Josh Winfield and Edward David being awarded the man of the match accolades

Next friendly is Thursday 21st at NRFC against Salisbury KO 7-30

SQUAD
Forwards
Graham STEWART, Jack CAUNT, Rob DRYSDALE, Josh LOVE, George ROBINSON SLATER,
Paul SAYERS, Ben HICKS, Alex WEEKES, Aaron JOHNSTON, Chris HAWKINS, Tom MCNAMARA, Josh WINFIELD, Jack WALSH, Eddie FAREBROTHER, Michael LINTIN, George ANDERSON,
Henry MAKA, Chris GLADWIN, James GORACY

Backs
Joe BINFIELD, Richard WEST, Steve DENNER, Dan THORNE (capt), Iain HERRIOT,
Edward David, Tom MARTIN, Elisi VINAPOLA, Jamie FUTCHER, Dave HARSENT,
Alex PRICE-RICHARDS, Tom CATCHPOLE, Daine HAMMOND