Blues take the spoils with a professional performance

After the disappointment of last week, the Blues travelled to Devizes looking to return to winning ways, but they were wary of a Devizes team that completed the double over them last season, but had lost the last 5 games on the bounce.

On a gloomy November day, the game was played on an alternative pitch due to Devizes newly laid main pitch being waterlogged. This did not affect the Blues squad in anyway.

It was Devizes who started the better, securing possession from the kick off ran the ball through several phases. Newbury’s now renowned defence stood firm and caused Devizes to spill the ball in contact or force the error.

Newbury settled into the game and were regularly creating scoring chances and the Blues started to dominate in attack and setting a platform for scrum half Dan Thorne to feed the backline, but to Devizes credit they defended manfully and prevent the Blues from scoring in the first 20 minutes.

This trend continued and Newbury spurned several scoring opportunities with a mix of poor handling and execution, but the constant pressure took its toll and after a series of penalties Richy West converted one of them from in front of the posts to make the score 0-3.

This score relieved the pressure off of the Blues and with 10 mins of the first half to go, the Blues pack raised the tempo of the game and after a series of powerful runs, the ball was passed form a ruck to Ben Hicks who charged over for his first try of the season, with West converting making the score 0-10

With minutes left of the half Newbury broke the Devizes defence again after a strong run from No8 Eddie Farebrother, who then passed out to fullback Toby Thorne who had a clear run in to score only for the referee to judge the pass forward.

HT 0-10

Newbury started the 2nd half as they finished the 1st with the pack in complete control. Devizes were now struggling in the set piece which resulted in the Blues being awarded a penalty try from a scrum, which West converted making the score 0-17.

Newbury continued to press, but unfortunately picked up a couple of injuries to flankers Paul Hackett and Henry (Maka) Veikune, who were replaced by George Robinson-Slater and Chris Gladwin respectively. With a reshuffled pack and fresh legs, the Blues then again drove the Devizes pack back at another 5 metre scrum. This time the try was awarded to Eddie Farebrother and with West maintaining his 100% kicking record the score was 0-24.

Newbury’s wing Tom Catchpole then received a dead leg in a tackle and was replaced by Will Clarke. Newbury continued to press looking for the 4th try and were unlucky not to get the score they deserved.

In the closing 10 minutes with Newbury looking to run the ball from deep and Devizes searching for a score the game became a little scrappy and the final whistle was blown.
Devizes 0 – 24 Newbury.

Newbury continued the intensity from last week and their defence was excellent. The forward pack all deserves praise for their efforts in set piece and around the park. Although the back line didn’t function at 100%, it was one of the most professional performances this season and the result that was never in doubt.

Once again the travelling support for the Blues was impressive and they certainly helped the team to this victory.

Newbury now have a week off before entertaining Grove at Monks Lane on the 6th December, which will be the last home game of 2014. The Blues are looking to reverse the results of last season.

Ben HICKS, Rob DRYSDALE, Graham STEWART, Josh WINFIELD, Tom McNAMARA,
Paul HACKETT, Henry (Maka) VEIKUNE, Eddie FAREBROTHER, Dan THORNE, Richard WEST,
Tom CATCHPOLE, Iain HERRIOTT, Josh BARTLETT, Jamie FUTCHER, Toby THORNE
George ROBINSON SLATER, Chris GLADWIN, Will CLARKE

Report courtesy of Lee Goodall Head Coach