Big congratulations to Dan Thorne who made his 300th cap for Newbury Blues
A fantastic achievement, 300 caps and 1,727 points since his debut on Jan 8th in the 2010/2011 season, a true Blue

Blues make 7 changes for the trip to Old Centralians due to injury and unavailability

Old Cents kick off up the slope on a sunny afternoon, the last game in 2025, Blues gather and soon put a kick deep into Old Cents half, they under pressure run out of defence getting into Blues half and get a penalty, they get another penalty at the lineout which gives them a 5m lineout, Blues manage to get their hands on the ball and run out of defence before putting another kick deep into Old Cents half, Old Cents run back at Blues getting close to halfway and get a scrum, Old Cents win their scrum and run at Blues breaking tackles and getting into Blues 22, Old Cents keep the ball live but get pushed back by Blues defence and a knock on gives Blues a scrum just outside their 22.
Blues win their scrum but a knock on gives Old Cents a scrum, they just hold their scrum and put a grubber kick into Blues 22, Blues fly hack the ball and a good chase gives Blues a penalty at the tackle still in their own half, the penalty is kick to touch in Old Cents half, Old cents steal the lineout and Blues nearly get through on the loose ball but knock on, Old Cents just hold their scrum going backwards and get a penalty which is kicked to touch on 10m inside their own half, lineout won their forwards maul before the ball is released to their backs, Old Cents get a penalty and kick to touch on Blues 22, lineout won Old Cents attack but cannot break through Blues defence and after several phases a knock on gives Blues a scrum on their 22, Blues hold their scrum and after a couple of phases kick into Old Cents half, Old Cents gather and attack getting up to Blues 22before putting a crossfield kick Blues gather but are tackled into touch on their 22.
Old Cents knock on after winning their lineout scrum to Blues David Few makes good ground from the base of the scrum, Jamie Futcher and Daniel Sanders take play into Old Cents 22 they knock on in the tackle so Blues have an attacking scrum, Blues attack from the scrum taking play across the pitch and deep into Old Cents 22 and get a penalty in front of the posts, Blues take a scrum, Dave Few picks up at the base and a quick pass to Harry Johnson lets him dart through the defenders to score under the posts Dan Thorne adds the conversion, 20mins 0-7
Old Cents kick off Blues gather and return the kick, Old Cents gather and try running before putting up a high kick Blues gather and run, Old Cents intercept a loose Blues pass on halfway and break through Blues defenders to score close to the posts and add the conversion 22mins 7-7
Blues kick off Old Cents get up to halfway and get a penalty, Blues steal their lineout and take play back to halfway but concede a penalty, Old Cents take a quick tap and take play across the pitch and back, Blues defence holds firm and win a penalty just in their own half, Blue win their lineout and try running before a neat grubber kick rolls into touch deep in Old Cents 22, the lineout is loose and Blues manage to get their hands on the ball, Kyle Doel charges through to score Dan Thorne adds the conversion 30 mins 7-14
Old Cents restart and get a penalty scrum, they just hold the restart scrum and manage to breakthrough the Newbury defence and score under the posts the conversion is kicked 14-14 33 mins
Blues restart Old Cents gather and get a penalty and Blues a yellow card Old Cents win their lineout and take play wide left a forward pass gives Blues a scrum in their own half, Blues attack from their scrum, Adam Hutchinson making good ground, Blues keep the ball live and get a penalty which Dan Thorne slots between the uprights and the half time whistle is blown 14-17

An fairly equal first half and all to play for in the second

Blues kick off up the slope, Old Cents gather and run, Blues manage to steal the ball and attack and get a penalty which is kicked to touch just in Old Cents 22, Blues get a penalty at the lineout which is kicked to touch, Blues lose their 5m lineout Old Cents run out of defence before putting up a high kick and chase, they knock on giving Blues a scrum, Blues attack from the scrum but are penalised at the tackle, Old Cents take a quick tap and attack through numerous phases getting into Blues 22 before a knock on halts their progress.
Blues hold their scrum and get a penalty which is kicked to touch, Old Cents steal the lineout and attack across the pitch getting up to Blues 22 before a loose ball is picked up by Blues and they try running out of defence before kicking into Old Cents half, Blues get there hands on the ball but have knocked on, Old Cents attack from their scrum and get close to Blues 22 getting a penalty and Blues a harsh yellow card, Old Cents kick to touch giving them a 5m attacking lineout, their forwards pick and drive getting up to the line before a quick pass out gives them the break though and they score under the posts and add the conversion giving them the lead for the first time, 21-17 53 mins
Blues restart, Old Cents gather and run at Blues getting into Blues territory before a forward pass gives Blues a scrum, Blues try running from their scrum before putting bouncing kick into Old Cents half, they run back at Blues but knock on in the tackle, Blues hold their scrum and run the ball but are penalised at the tackle, Old Cents kick to touch, Blues steal the lineout and take play across the pitch, Blues keep the ball live and a run from Kris Ford then Euan Baird takes play up to Old Cents 22, Blues get a penalty at the tackle Old Cents knock in at the lineout giving Blues an attacking scrum.
Blues push Old Cents back in the scrum then their forwards pick and drive making slow progress to the try line, Blues get up to the line and get a penalty and Old Cents a yellow card. Blues take a scrum, Blues pack push Old Cents backwards allowing Will Osborne to pick up and dive over to score Dan Thorne kicks the conversion 65 mins, 21-24
Old Cents restart Blues gather and their kick is charged down and rolls over the dead ball line, Blues take the drop out kick, Old Cents attack then kick deep into Blues 22, Blues gather and run out of defence, Old Cents steal the ball at the tackle and attack across the pitch and back, a grubber kick rolls into Blues try area Blues manage to touch down, Old Cents suffer an injury so time out. Blues take the goal line drop out Old Cents gather and attack getting deep into Blues 22 before a knock on gives Blues a defensive scrum, Blues win their scrum and after a couple of phase kick clear to touch, ref awards a penalty then 10 yards Blues kick to touch just in Old Cents half. Lineout won Blues take play across the pitch and back, Dan Thorne throws the dummy and breaks through the defence making a good run and getting nearly to Old Cents 22 before releasing Daniel Sanders who evades the defender to score as he is tackled under the posts the bonus point try Dan Thorne adds the conversion 71 mins 21-31
Old Cents restart Blues gather and put up a high kick, Old Cents gather and take play into Blues 22 and get a lineout, Blues steal and run out of defence getting a penalty which is kicked to touch, Old cents steal and attack getting into Blues 22 before a knock on gives Blues a defensive scrum, Blues pack win the scrum and the ball is kicked to touch and the final whistle is blown.

Presentation of a 300 cap to Captain Dan Thorne, kindly donated by Peter Branch, Bottle of Champagne presented in the changing room, 300 1st team caps is a great achievement

Thanks to Old Cents for hosting us, all the best for the remainder of the season, have a great Xmas and New Year

Thanks to the ref who kept control of a hard-fought fair contest

Scorer’s 1st Half
20 min Harry Johnson – Try, Dan Thorne – Conv
30 min Kyle Doel – Try, Dan Thorne – Conv
39 min Dan Thorne – Penalty

Scorer’s 2nd Half
65 min Will Osborne – Try, Dan Thorne – Conv
70 min Daniel Sanders – Try, Dan Thorne – Conv

MOM – Sam Bramhall

Newbury Blues Squad
1-8, Sam Bramhall, Harry Waye-Branch, George Robinson-Slater, Ashley Doel, Kyle Doel,
Ed Gavin, Will Osborne, David Few.
9-15, Harry Johnson, Dan Thorne, Euan Baird, Kris Ford, Jamie Futcher, Beau Power,
Daniel Sanders.
16-18, Sheldon Graddon, Joe Davis, Adam Hutchinson.

Blues next Fixture is Sat 10th Jan Home v Thornbury 3pm KO
Stags Away at Chipping Norton KO TBC

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/

Big thanks to the NWN for their match reports https://www.newburytoday.co.uk/sport/rugby/