TOTTONIANS 27 V 14 NEWBURY BLUES

The game kicks off and after a couple of good runs from Jamie Futcher and Alex Price-Richards the Blues should have scored but loose passing means Tottonians are able to get possession and after 4 mins break through several weak Newbury tackles to score 7-0

Tottonians have settled into their game much quicker than the Blues and have the better of the next 25 minutes but mistakes mean neither side are able to score, Newbury make several substitutions to give all a run out. On 33 mins Tottonians again break through weak Blues tackling to score wide out 12-0

On the stroke of half time Tottonians are awarded a penalty making the half time score 15-0

Blues change several players at half time

Tottonians start the second half the better and 5 minutes into the second half manage to break through to score 22-0 45 mins

Newbury are unable to put to many phase’s together before the mistake comes and only briefly threaten Tottonians line whereas Tottonians attacks look far more dangerous. On 60 mins the Newbury defence is breached again making the score 27-0

This seems to wake the Blues up and they have the better of the next 20 mins crossing the Tottonians line twice, the first when the Blues are awarded a penalty just on the Tottonians 22, Toby Thorne takes a quick tap and breaks through a couple of Tottonians tackles to score under the posts, Ian Herriott dropkicks the conversion 27-7 65 mins

Newbury keep up the pressure and are unlucky not to add to their score after a great Cameron Golby Barr run, the forwards are also unlucky when they go through several phases camped in the Tottonians 22 but are unable to touch down

On 68 mins the Newbury pressure is rewarded when a flowing move lets Iain Herriott brush off the Tottonians tackles to score close to the posts and drop kick the conversion 27-14

The final whistle is blown; the Blues scrum functioned well throughout the game and some good play could have been rewarded with possible 3 more scores but mistakes ended these chances, never the less a positive start with a mixed squad and regular substitutions

Squad
Ben Hicks, Rob Drysdale, Graham Stewart, Duncan Craigen, Nicholas Packham,
Kyle Doel, Dylan Stewart, Josh Winfield, Toby Thorne, Alex Price-Richards
Andy Williams, Cameron Golby Barr, Iain Herriott, Jamie Futcher, Aaron McDowell,
George Robinson-Slater, George Anderson, Paul Sayers, Aaron Johnston
Jonathan Blaise, Matt Smith, Steven Forsgren