Newbury A v Windsor A
Final Score: Newbury 5 Windsor 0
Scorer: Theo Brophy Clews
Newbury were awake from the beginning, putting Windsor immediately under pressure. Windsor were given a turnover and kicked it clear to relieve themselves for a short while from the pressure exerted by Newbury but the Newbury defence held well. Just before half time a fantastic run from Josh Lawrence, followed by the ball going along the line, ended with Theo Brophy Clews scoring on the right wing. In the second half there was lots of pressure from Windsor who pushed on nearly to the line before Zach Stancombe turned over the ball and Jordan Ruddock kicked it clear to touch just before the whistle was blown.
Newbury A v Pencoed A
Final Score: Newbury 0 Pencoed 0
The match started with Pencoed kicking off only for Luke Hornblow to catch. Newbury were soon under pressure but put in a lot of hefty tackles. A turnover in Newbury’s favour and soon the ball had passed the half way line, with a strong maul to carry it forwards. Attacking play continued with some good runs from the backs and as the ball was carried deep into Pencoed’s half the whistle for half time was blown. The second half started with a great kick from Theo. Lots of tight play resulted with Josh Lawrence catching a Pencoed kick and belting forwards, unfortunately not reaching the try line. A highly contested match in which Newbury were unlucky not to score.
Newbury A v Topsham A
Final score: Newbury 0 Topsham 0
Newbury kicked off play to their third match for the ball to be caught by Topsham. Newbury turned over the ball but knocked it on and Topsham won the scrum. They were soon knocked into touch and Newbury won the lineout, but gave away a penalty. It was thankfully caught by Josh Lawrence who ran it forwards over the half way line. Topsham turned up the pressure and soon had the ball back, rumbling x towards the Newbury line. The Newbury defence held up and the ball was soon back at the half way line. Topsham kicked off the second half but Newbury were soon in control. After lots of attacking play Jack Davis was ruled as knocked into touch on the try line. The lineout was won by Newbury and passed along the line before a penalty was awarded to Topsham. They ran the ball deep into Newbury’s half when Zach Stancombe turned it over and as Newbury ran forwards the whistle blew.
A Tournament 2nd Place Final
Newbury A v Maidenhead A
Final Score: Newbury 10 Maidenhead 5
Scorers: Josh Lawrence, Finn Connor
Newbury As battled to second place in their group and were rewarded with a match against Maidenhead As. They started confidently and took the game to Maidenhead. The opposition counter-attacked but their move broke down and a period of pressure was eased by the kicking of Theo Brophy Clews.
There was then a very tense period around the halfway line, and although Maidenhead looked dangerous Newbury had more of the ball. Then Maidenhead pushed forward again and got within 10 metres of the Newbury line. However Newbury were awarded a scrum and the ball was passed to Josh Lawrence whose acceleration was too much for the opposition backs. Josh ran wide and then surged sensationally down the left wing and the length of the field to score the only try of the half.
Maidenhead began the second half. The kick was taken by William Allman but lost in the loose. However Newbury pressed forward through another run from Josh. This time he passed the ball on James O’Connor who couldn’t find a gap in the defence and Maidenhead were awarded a penalty. The kick was gathered by Louis Lyne who surged forward and passed the ball to Luke Hornblow. With defenders closing in Luke chipped deftly into open space and Theo chased toward the line. Although he was beaten to the ball by a Maidenhead defender they failed to maintain control of the ball and Finn Connor drove the ball over the line.
The second try appeared to reinvigorate Maidenhead who now took the game to Newbury. Only two terrific tackles by James O’Connor stopped the opposition from scoring when they looked to have breached the Newbury back line.
However their pressure finally paid and the Newbury were pegged back to 10-5 with around two minutes to go.
From the kick off, pressure by Newbury led to a knock on by Maidenhead but the opposition managed to regain the ball and a dangerous last minute run was halted by some fine tackling by Adam Foster. Soon after this the whistle blew and Newbury had completed a well-deserved victory to cap a fine tournament.
