Blues misfire at Grove

Newbury travel to Grove and come away with nothing after a hard fought game. Newbury were forced into a last minute change when Ryan Davis’s wife went into labour. Congratulations to Ryan on becoming a dad

Grove kick off with the strong crosswind slightly against them and immediately put the Blues defence under pressure, Newbury spend the best part of the first ten minutes defending in their own 22 but manage to keep the Grove attacks out. On 10 minutes Blues break out of defence and a kick by Dan Thorne is well chased by Newbury forcing a rushed kick by Grove, the kick is kept in play by the wind and Newbury run the ball before a grubber kick is put through by Dan Thorne, a great chase by Josh Love forces the mistake by the Grove defender allowing him to win the race to touch down, Richard West just wide with the long conversion, 0-5 10 mins

Grove keep up the pressure and two minutes later have drawn level when they break through the Newbury defence toe score wide out on their left 5-5 12 min’s

The next 25 minutes remain scoreless, Grove having the lion’s share of possession spending numerous phases in Newbury’s 22 but are unable to break through the Newbury defence and add to their score. When Newbury do manage to get the ball and break out of defence mistakes halt their progress and turn over possession. On 38 minutes Grove with the aid of several penalties break through to score wide out on the left, 10-5 38 min’s

Newbury manage to force a penalty shortly after the restart which Richard West kicks through the posts, half time whistle is blown, 10-8 40 min’s + Injury time

The second half starts the same as the first with Grove putting pressure on the Blues defence but they are unable to break through, Newbury manage to hold them out and mount several attacks of their own but cannot get over the line. Grove are first to breakthrough when after spending several minutes in the Newbury half win a penalty which is successfully kicked 13-8 60 min’s

Newbury have the better of the last quarter and are unlucky not to score on a couple of occasions, the game ends with Grove attacking and winning a penalty which they kick, taking away the losing bonus point and making the final score 16-8

Next game is the final home match on Sat 11th April against Leighton Buzzard

Squad
Ben Hicks, Tom Sanders, Graham Stewart, Josh Winfield, Paul Archer,
Rob Drysdale, Josh Love, Eddie Farebrother, Joe Pigott, Richard West,
Steve Denner, Joe Binfield, Dan Thorne, Jamie Futcher, Aaron McDowell,
George Robinson-Slater, Edward David, Toby Thorne