Blues are again forced to make 6 changes due to injury, illness and unavailability, meaning Blues have used 35 players so far this season, the draw ends a run of 3 heavy defeats.
Next weekend is a free weekend for both squads so hopefully several injured and unavailable will be back in the mix for Sat 8th Nov

Blues kick off into the gusty wind for this league match against North Dorset who sit one position below Blues in the league, the weather changes and a rain shower welcomes the kick off, Blues put pressure on North Dorset who clear to touch on half way, Blues get a scrum and under pressure keep possession and kick, North Dorset run at Blues and soon have a penalty which is slotted to touch on Blues 22, Blues get a lineout and run out of defence getting a penalty which is kicked to touch in North Dorset’s half, lineout won Blues attack across the pitch getting a penalty which Dan Thorne kicks 3-0 to Blues

North Dorset restart Blues gather and kick back into North Dorsets territory, North Dorset attack taking play back to halfway before a kick and chase rolls into Blues try area, Blues win the race and touch it down giving them a goal line drop out, North Dorset gather and run the ball getting into Blues 22 and get a penalty at the tackle in front of the posts 3-3 on 12 mins

Blues restart and put pressure on North Dorset who manage to kick out of their half, both sides have attacking opportunities over the next 10 minutes but mistakes or good defence ends the threats untill North Dorset get a penalty which is kicked 3-6 24 mins

This is the story for the remainder of the first half with North Dorset having slightly the better and kicking 2 more penalties the first on 35 mins to make the score 3-9 and the second on the stroke of half time making the score 3-12

North Dorset kick off the second half and after both sides make mistakes and a couple of scrums later North Dorset attack getting up to Blues 22, Blues defence manage to steal the ball which is quickly spread left across the pitch, Malaki Leiloma produces some Fijian magic sidesteps then chip kicks up to North Dorset’s 22, he chases steals the ball from North Dorsets defender and is gone making the last 20m to score close to the posts, Dan Thorne converts 10-12 43 mins

Blues are now playing with a little bit more energy and are rewarded 8 minutes later when after several phase’s spent in North Dorset’s half Blues take play across the pitch and back a long Dan Thorne pass is gathered by Harry Waye-Branch who is gone making the final 20 m to score wide out left Dan Thorne adds the conversion to take Blues back into the lead 17-12 51 minutes

Blues seem to take their foot of the gas and allow North Dorset to get back into the game, North Dorset are now attacking Blues whose defence is just holding out, Blues make the odd foray into North Dorset territory but are unable to add to their score, after a period of North Dorset pressure they eventually get over to score through their forwards wide left, the conversion just drifts wide 17-17 65 mins

The remaining 15 mins remains scoreless with both sides unable to take their scoring chances, the final whistle is blown and the points are shared 17-17 the final score

MOM - Michael Klichowicz, a great performance playing in an unfamiliar position at 10

A scrappy stop start game well marshalled by Ref Daniel White, probably a fair result with both sides needing the league points and neither side deserving to lose
The draw ending Blues run of 3 heavy defeats, onwards and upwards to hopefully some better results leading up to Christmas

Good luck to North Dorset for the remainder of the season and looking forward to the return at yours

Newbury Blues Squad
1-8, Ben Hicks, Harry Waye-Branch, Callum Varrall, David Few, Joe Davis, Jamal Watson,
Will Osborne, Harry Edwards
9-15, Beau Power, Michael Klichowicz, Malaki Leiloma Tupoutoutai, Adam Hutchinson,
Dan Thorne, Sean Siggemann, Daniel Sanders
16-18, George Robinson-Slater, Sheldon Graddon, Michael Duppa-Miller

Blues next Fixture is Sat 8th Nov Away @ Keynsham
Note there is a coach to Keynsham if you would like to travel with the team please book with Newbury RFC Reception, 01635 230023 - reception@newburyrfc.org.uk

Stags are away at Faringdon RFC

Big thanks to all our Player Sponsors and our Club Sponsors, your support is much appreciated

Big thanks to our fantastic supporters, the team really appreciate your support

Big thanks to our match day photographer Peter Branch whose photos can be found on Facebook
Newbury RFC Seniors Supporters Photography Page
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063526195463

Also big thanks to our match day photographer Ian Jack whose photos are on the Pitchero website
https://www.newburyrugby.co.uk/photos

Big thanks to Kennet Radio for their support, https://kennetradio.com/category/sport/