Newbury started 2023 how they ended 2022 – undefeated and top of the table!

The Blues travelled to Portsmouth on Sunday for the return fixture of the 22/23 season against the Valkyries.

Despite the torrential rain and swamp-like mud, Newbury showcased how character and determination could secure their 8th win of the season.

Dominating from the off, Newbury secured possession and piled into ruck after ruck to allow scrum half, Chloe Darby, to distribute the ball with control and decisiveness.

This strong attacking start led to Newbury gaining their first 5 points of the game. These were from a try by Anna Krzyżanowska who, upon gaining possession of the ball ran through multiple defenders that fell in tackle attempts as Anna crossed the line.

Portsmouth received possession from the restart and successfully made ground up the centre of the pitch with their forwards crashing the ball into Newbury’s defensive line. As Newbury applied pressure, Portsmouth crumbled and the ball was knocked on, giving Newbury the possession at the scrum.

With little grass left on the pitch to grip onto, the scrums were not as dominant as usual but Fi Leman-Lawrie at 8 managed to control the ball at the back each time and looked unstoppable on the run with ball-in-hand; making yards towards the try line.

Newbury continued to crash the ball into the Portsmouth defence but when they were close enough to touch the line, the home team foul played in the ruck providing Newbury with a penalty 5m from the line. Emma Paton-Robinson, the Renegade Brewery Player of the Match, tapped the ball and crashed over the line to score her first try of the game for the last play of the first half. 10-0.

The second half required Newbury to remain determined and dig deep. Although play often got messy where players were sliding in the mud, Meg Mason at 10 was critical to controlling the tempo of the game and reading the space.

When the opportunity arose for the forwards to march the ball down the pitch from the base of each ruck, the Blues seized it. Portsmouth were repeatedly knocked back until Emma Paton-Robinson took the final carry and ploughed through to finish the long phase of play. The flags were waved for the conversion and the final score was set at 17-0.

Both teams continued to fight until the final whistle when relief and joy were on display as the Blues maintain their winning streak!
The game was not only acting as a league fixture but also as a cup game so Newbury progress through to the next stage.