Black day for Blues

LAUNCESTON 22 v 12 NEWBURY BLUES

Black day for Blues

Saturday 1st Feb 3pm KO South West Premier

Blues flatter to deceive after taking the lead at the start of each half they fail to capitalise and spend long periods defending in their own half

Blues make the long journey to the Cornish All Blacks and come away with nothing after taking the lead at the start of each half then surrendering it far too easily, a Black away day for the Blues

Congratulations to Harry Keatley on his Blues debut

Launceston kick off up the slope and against the wind on a cold but dry afternoon, Blues catch and return the kick, Launceston run the ball getting to half way before a knock on gives Blues a scrum, Blues attack from the scrum but concede a penalty at the tackle, Launceston clear to touch in Blues half. Blues manage to steal the overthrown lineout and run the ball Dan Thorne a long pass out to Toby Thorne he releases Tom Martin who jinks around the defenders before passing To Toby Thorne who is over to score, Dan Thorne slots the conversion 0-7 4 mins

Launceston restart Blues gather and get a penalty at the tackled which is overturned when Blues have too much to say, Launceston kick to touch and spend the next few minutes camped in Blues half, eventually they get a penalty which their 10 Glen Coles kicks 3-7 10 mins

Blues restart and for the remainder of the half spend most of it defending in their own half with only a few brief forays into Launceston’s half, eventually this constant pressure tells and on 38 mins Launceston after a series of penalties manage to break the Blues defence and score their prop Greg Thomas driving over, the conversion is wide 8-7, Blues get a yellow card

Harry Keatley on Adam Neal off 39 mins

Blues have a late attack but get pushed backwards and concede a penalty which Launceston kick to touch to bring half time

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Blues kick off the second half, Launceston gather and kick deep, Blues run the ball, Tom Martin sets off on one of his runs, on to Chris Bird then Toby Thorne who releases Toby Holland who makes the final yards to score, the long conversion is wide, 41 mins, 8-12

Launceston kick off Blues return the kick into touch on half way, Launceston attack from the lineout a knock on halts their progress, Blues kick deep from the scrum and get another scrum when Launceston pass forwards, Blues get a penalty at the scrum which is kicked to touch, lineout won Blues attack but a knock on gives Launceston the ball they play advantage and clear to touch, Blues attack from the lineout getting up to the line, Blues keep up the pressure winning 2 penalty scrums before the Launceston defence turn the tide and get a penalty scrum. Launceston clear to touch from their dominant scrum, Blues knock on at the lineout.

Tom Hunt on Tom Fieldsend off 54 mins

Launceston get a penalty at the scrum and kick to touch, Launceston take play across the pitch and into Blues 22 getting a penalty which is reversed for silliness, Blues clear to touch and then attack from the lineout Harvey North making ground before he is tackled into touch in Launceston’s half, Blues steal the lineout and attack then put in a kick, Launceston gather and clear to touch on half way, lineout won Blues put up a high kick, Launceston gather and attack getting into Blues half before knocking on, Blues get a penalty at the scrum which is kicked to touch

Launceston get a scrum at the lineout then a penalty which they kick to touch, lineout won they maul then the forwards pick drive to score plus the conversion, 15-12 67 mins

Blues restart Launceston return the kick, Blues run then a chip kick drifts straight out in Launceston’s half, Launceston win the lineout but lose the ball and concede a penalty

George Anderson on Rob Drysdale off 70 mins

Blues kick to touch win the lineout and attack but soon lose the ball and Launceston have a penalty which is kicked to touch, Launceston knock on giving Blues a scrum, Blues run at Launceston but just step in touch, Blues steal the lineout and attack but concede a penalty at the tackle. Launceston kick to touch on Blues 22, win the lineout and get a scrum

Adam Neal on Tom Erskine off 75 mins

Launceston win the scrum and attack getting a penalty which is kicked to touch, lineout won Launceston maul and get over to score 38 mins, plus the conversion, 22-12

Tom Fieldsend on Chris Bird off 78 mins

Blues kick off bounces into touch, Launceston win the lineout and attack, Blues get a penalty at the tackle which is kicked to touch, lineout won Blues take play into Launceston’s 22 eventually after several phases Launceston get a penalty at the tackle bringing full time

A game lost

MOM Tom Martin

Newbury Squad
Ben Hicks, Rob Drysdale, James Macaulay, Tom Erskine, Duncan Craigen, Jack Walsh,
Adam Neal, Josh Winfield,
Tom Fieldsend, Dan Thorne, Harvey North, Chris Bird, Toby Holland, Toby Thorne, Tom Martin,
George Anderson, Harry Keatley, Tom Hunt

Thanks to the great travelling Blues support

Blues next fixture is Sat 8th Feb home v Maidenhead, a Big Berkshire Derby Blues have to win