Newbury Blues
Matches
Sat 25 Oct 2014  ·  South West 1 East
Newbury Rugby Football Club
Newbury Blues
Tries: R DRYSDALE, J WINFIELD, T THORNE (2), J FUTCHER, W CLARKE, J BARTLETT, A PRICE-RICHARDSConversions: R WEST
42
12
Bletchley
Blues remain undefeated at home

Blues remain undefeated at home

Matt Spencer27 Oct 2014 - 12:57
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Blues score 8 tries, but easily could have had more.

After a frustrating loss away to Windsor last week, Newbury were looking to put down a marker against a Bletchley side that was currently at the bottom of the South West 1 East division.

However it was the visitors that go off to the best of starts. Having kicked off, Bletchley managed to regain possession from an attempted Blues offload, and through some good work from their forwards, were able to score in the corner. Score 0-5 with 5 minutes played.

Newbury regained possession from the kick off, and after a few phases moved the ball to Josh Winfield down the blindside, who offloaded the ball brilliantly out of contact to Ben Hicks, who moved the ball with some lovely quick hands to Rob Drysdale who ran in from 20m to score. Conversion missed. Score 5-5.

Newbury were now beginning to take control of the game, but were guilty of trying to force an extra pass or offload which halted any progress they had made and indeed several opportunities were missed. Will Clarke took a knock to the shoulder on 25 mins, and was replaced at fly half by Rich West.

A great counter attacking run from which sees Toby Thorne and Ally Price-Richards linking up moved the ball just outside the Bletchley 22. The visitors infringe, but the resultant penalty shot at goal is missed by West, and Bletchley manage to clear their lines to touch.

From the ensuing line out, the Blues move forward through some good phase play, and again spot an opportunity on the short side. The ball is passed though a number of hands, finally making it's way to Josh Winfield to score in the corner. Conversion missed. Score 10-5

Newbury were soon on the attack again in the Bletchley half. After a series of phases, Fly Half West switches with Price-Richards who carries well, making a half break and a sublime offload out of contact finds Toby Thorne who races to score under the posts. Conversion by West. Score 17-5

Bletchley then rallied and the last 5 minutes of the first half was similar to that of the first 5, with Bletchley on the offensive. After a number of penalties, Bletchley kicked to the corner, but were unable to convert their pressure into points, and the score remained 17-5 to the hosts at half time.

At half time Clarke is back on for West and Jack Walsh is replaced by Greg Price due to a suspected broken hand. Newbury kick off and look much more focused than they did at the beginning of the game, winning the battle for territory. Newbury again find themselves in the Bletchley 22, and some nice hands allows Thorne to this time be the creator for Price-Richards to crash over for the score. Conversion missed, score 22-5.

Straight from the kickoff, Newbury find themselves with an attacking lineout in Bletchley territory. The ball is won and carried forward through two phases by the forwards. A change of direction from Clarke sees the ball moved to Tommy Martin, who is able to draw the last two defenders and deliver a beautiful pass out the back of the hand to Jamie Futcher, who races in to score. Conversion missed, score 27-5.

On 50 minutes, George Robinson-Slater replaces Graham Stewart, however it is only a short rest for the veteran prop, as he is back on to switch Chris Rowlands on 58 minutes.

Newbury are starting to fire on all cylinders, and the growing confidence is showing in all the players. They win a Bletchley scrum against the head, allowing Joe Binfield to have a run down the blindside. He draws the opposition scrum half and wing, putting Thorne away for a 40m run in to dot down for his second try of the day. Conversion missed, score 32-5.

A momentary lapse in concentration from the blues allows Bletchley to capitalise from a contentious decision from the opposition touch judge. An overthrown lineout works to the visitor’s advantage, as they make good ground through their forwards. Keeping the ball close to the breakdown, Bletchley manage to score to the left of the posts. Conversion made, score 32-12. Price-Richards is replaced by West after a knock to the head.

The Blues proved that it was only a blip, in what was turning into a strong second half showing. Another attack is started through a great line break from Josh Bartlett. A miss pass from West then hits the floor, but is picked up by Martin who feeds Thorne who beats two players and kicks ahead. The ball ends up over the try line and the race is won by Clarke, who makes the score 37-12. Conversion missed.

Bletchley just try to clear their lines to relieve some pressure, but each kick is met with some great counter attacking runs from Martin and Thorne, who are always looking dangerous.

The pressure soon tells as Bletchley give away a penalty on their 5m line. With their tails up, Newbury tap and go through captain Binfield, and move the ball wide though Clarke and Martin, finds Josh Bartlett. He steps passed one defender and finds his way to the line to get the last score of the game. The conversion is missed, to make the final score 42-12.

This was mixed performance from the Blues, who would have come unstuck with a similar start in the 1st half against stronger opposition. A much better performance in the second half restored the confidence in the squad, but with 17 points missed with the boot and several other scoring opportunities not taken, the score line could and should have been much more. The Blues will need to raise their skill level away at Buckingham this week, before entertaining current table toppers Chippenham at Monks Lane on the 15th November, which is one not to be missed.

There were strong performances from Alex Price-Richards, Toby Thorne and Tom Martin, who we wish well on his escapades down under. Finally congratulations to Man of the Match Ben Hicks, who had a fine performance on the day of his 50th cap for the Blues.

Match details

Match date

Sat 25 Oct 2014

Kickoff

15:00

Meet time

13:00

Competition

South West 1 East
Team overview
Further reading

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