19/04 U12B at Newbury Mini Festival
April 21, 2009
Newbury Bs 5 Bracknell 5
As often has been the case this season, Newbury Bs started slowly and missed their tackles early on. Consequently the had to soak up a lot of Bracknell pressure, and it was not surprising that the visitors scored first. Just before half time it looked as if Bracknell would extend their lead as one of their big forwards charged toward the corner. However William Read put in a try-saving tackle to force the player out of play.
Newbury won the subsequent line out and James Lewis put in great kick to the halfway line to clear the danger.
In the second half Newbury come out with much more determination and early on scored a great try through Chris Nilsson who powered over the line from short range. After this, both sides fought hard for the winner but the defences held firm and a draw was a fair result. In all it was a good start for Newbury, with a good all-round performance powered by some great rucking from Izzy Butcher and Will Read.
Newbury Bs 5 Maidenhead 5
Yet another draw, but this time Newbury were the first to score, and went into the break in the lead.
Newbury dominated the first half. the result of good tackling and good forward running. Connor Segre’s distribution was excellent.
Early in the second half Newbury pressure continued with the scrum dominating in the loose. However a missed tackle led to Maidenhead’s equalising try. Newbury continued to fight strongly with their rucking showing a strong improvement, and good teamwork throughout.
Newbury Bs 0 Winchester 15
This was always going to be Newbury’s toughest game. As usual Winchester fielded a powerful side (which eventually went on to win the B tournament).
The first few minutes were dominated by set pieces – from the kick off four consecutive scrums were awarded just inside the Newbury half. Finally Winchester managed to get the ball to their threequarters and broke through the Newbury line for the first score of the game. Unfortunately the Newbury restart kick failed to go 10 metres and another scrum was awarded to Winchester. – once again they won the ball and once again they scored with an overlap past some slack tackling. Therefore Newbury went into interval two tries down.
In the second half Newbury started to put their game together and competed well. The Newbury scrum, led by Izzy, started to dominate and a number of heavy tackles managed to push Winchester back into their own half.
Unfortunately a great clearing kick from the visitors led to their third try. After this Newbury fought hard, particularly in the loose and at the breakdown, but failed to breach the Winchester line.
Newbury Bs 5 Cheltenham 0
This was a must-win game for Newbury if they wanted to get through to the final of the B tournament. Cheltenham were also fighting hard for their first win – therefore it was no surprise that the first half was a tight affair with hard tackling rucking and mauling from both teams. The whole half was spend within 20 metres of the halfway line with neither team breeching the other’s 22.
In the second half Newbury attacked from the start and only 10 metres from the Cheltenham line were awarded a penalty following a high tackle. The penalty was taken quickly and George Starr charged over the line. From the restart Cheltenham fought back well and almost scored the equaliser – only a terrific tackle from Connor Segre stopped them, and the ball was kicked back into the opposition half. Cheltenham pushed forward again and an overlap on the left – however sturdy Newbury tackling stopped the bal from being sent wide. Almost immediately there was another overlap on the right – this time there was a great saving tackle from James Lewis which took the attacker out of play. From the lineout Newbury won the ball allowing James to relieve the pressure once again with a splendid kick to touch in the opposition half. There was no more time for Cheltenham to respond, and Newbury won a well-deserved victory.
Unfortunately despite the win Newbury lost out on a place in the final on try difference. Therefore their reward was a 3rd and 4th place final, and a return match against Cheltenham….
3rd and 4th Place Final
Newbury Bs 5 Cheltenham 10
Cheltenham started the game and Newbury faced up well, driving the ball back into Cheltenham’s half. For the first couple of minutes Newbury played with the confidence they had showed in the previous game. Cheltenham drove forward again, but there was some great cover tackling and the ball was forced out for a lineout which was once again won by Newbury, with James Lewis punching the ball back downfield. However the Cheltenham back line looked threatening and were passing the ball with confidence. In the end their tenacity paid off and they went through a couple of weak tackles and over the line for a 5-nil lead. This took the wind out of Newbury’s sails and they succumbed to another try within minutes and went into the break losing 10-nil.
There were wholesale changes in the second half, and this appeared to galvanize Newbury – their commitment and energy returned and after a great run George Bicknell scored a great and well-deserved try. Unfortunately it was too late to change the result and Newbury had to be content with 4th place in the tournament.
However there was much to be admired in the B-team’s performance in this final game. In the words of Coach Mark Foster:
“After five hard-fought games, the team showed the potential it has always demonstrated and it deserves rich rewards in future seasons.”
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