30/04 Matt Perry to talk at the club dinner

April 30, 2009

The club is deighted that this year Matt Perry will talk at our club dinner tomorrow night.

Matt Perry made his debut for Bath against Northampton in 1995 and went onto start 205 games for the club, scoring 561 points.

He made his England debut against Australia in 1997, which was Sir Clive Woodward’s first match in charge of the national side.

Matt, who won 36 caps for his country in total, travelled to the World Cup in 1999 and was also selected for the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia in 2001, playing a part in all three Tests.

We look forward to welcoming him to Monks Lane.

29/04 Future Stars in inaugural National academy 7’s at Newbury

April 29, 2009

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release

 

April 27 2009

 

FUTURE STARS IN INAUGURAL NATIONAL ACADEMY SEVENS

 

 

FUTURE rugby stars are taking part in a brand new, innovative  tournament set to become a big date on the rugby calendar in coming years.

 

The National Academy Sevens takes place on Saturday May 9 at Newbury RFC and will see 16 teams from across the UK battling for the Futures Cup.

 

It is the brainchild of Henley RFC rugby director Jason Forster, the former Wales international back-row, who has received support for the rugby spectrum.

 

The National Academy Sevens, targeting the Under-19 age group, is also aimed at a growing and vibrant seven-a-side rugby global scene which has witnessed the shortened version of the game grow in amazing popularity.

 

And it is attracting some big names already. Heineken Cup semi-finalists Leicester, for example, will be one of the 16 clubs and regions to send a team to the event which starts at 11am.

 

Also, some members of Wales’ World Cup-winning squad, who lifted the trophy in Dubai by beating Argentina in the final last month, are set to make an appearance at Newbury.

 

Forster said: “First and foremost, I’d like to thank Newbury RFC for hosting this inaugural National Academy Sevens which will only get bigger and better as the years progress.

 

“There are a lot of sevens tournaments that take place around the country but what I want to specifically do is target a certain area.

 

“There does not seem to be a great deal for the Under-19 age group. They just seem to train all the time so this is a day dedicated to them, to showcase their talent and see who is the best Under-19 Academy around the UK at the moment.”

 

This year’s tournament will see nine Guinness Premiership teams and two of the Welsh regional sides entering squads, while five National League One add extra spice.

 

Yet, this is only the tip of the iceberg, said Forster. He added: “We have nine of the Premiership sides and all of them have indicated they will come in next year, likewise with the Welsh regional sides.

 

“Hopefully, it will grow and attract the Scottish and Irish regional sides and their academies and then, who knows where it will go. We hope it will grow internationally.

 

“The focus on the day belongs to these youngsters and it is also an opportunity for the coaches around the country to assess the talent that is coming through at that level.”

 

Forster has some vastly-experienced help in ensuring the National Academy Sevens is a roaring success.

 

The Rugby Football Union have given their blessing, while Tony McArthur, the man behind the legendary Henley Sevens which was one of the great ‘days out’ in rugby for years and went international themselves in the last 1990s when Fiji entered a side.

 

“I have got Tony on-boarded helping me out and also John Fletcher, who is with the England Under-18 side, is very keen on getting this off the ground.”

 

The competition has been put together in a matter of a few short months, but Forster added: “We will have 12 months to organise after this one on May 9 so it will go from strength to strength.”

 

Tickets for the day cost £10 (adults) with concessions for children, OAPs and families.

 

For further information or to arrange an interview with Jason Forster, please contact Gary Baker, Wales and West Media, Newport, South Wales. Tel: 07803 974491. E-mail: garybaker@walesandwest.com

 

 

NOTES TO EDITORS

 

Newbury RFC is situated at Monks Lane, Newbury, Berkshire (telephone: 01635 40103) and easily accessible by car from Junction 13 of the M4 motorway.

 

Directions

 

By car from Junction 13, M4 (source: Google Maps)

 

Head south on the A34 for six-and-a-half miles.

Take the A343 exit towards Highclere

At the roundabout, take the first exit onto the A343 (Andover Road/Sandpit Hill) and continue on that road for around one-and-a-half miles

At the roundabout, take the second exit onto Monks Lane and, after 200 metres, turn right into Newbury RFC

 

By train

 

There are regular mainline services from all parts of the country to Newbury town centre where you can catch a bus or taxi to Newbury RFC.

 

Suggested services (source. www.nationalrail.co.uk)

 

From London

 

08.18am (London Paddington to Exeter St Davids). Direct service arriving at Newbury 09.12am

 

08.30am (London Paddington to Bristol). Change at Reading onto the 09.11am Reading to Newbury service. Arrives Newbury at 09.42am.

 

09.18am (London to Bedwyn). Direct service arrving at Newbury at 10.10am.

 

From the north (times from Birmingham)

 

07.04 (Manchester Piccadilly to Bournemouth). Change at Reading onto the 08.48am London Paddington to Exter St Davids. Arriving at Newbury at 09.12am

 

08.04am (Birmingham New Street to Reading). Change at Reading onto the 09.48am London Paddington to Bedwyn service. Arrving at Newbury at 10.10am

 

From the south (times from Bristol Temple Meads/Bristol Parkway)

 

07.30am from Bristol Temple Meads (Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington). Change at Reading onto the 09.11am train to Newbury. Arriving at Newbury at 09.42am

 

07.50am from Bristol Temple Meads (Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington). Change at Reading onto the 09.48am London Paddington to Bedwyn service. Arrving at Newbury at 10.10am

 

08.05 from Bristol Parkway (Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington). Change at Reading onto the 09.48am London Paddington to Bedwyn service. Arrving at Newbury at 10.10am

 

By bus to ground (from Newbury)

 

Service number 3A (Newbury bus station). Destination: Greenham Monks Surgery. 9.25am and every hour afterwards. Ten minutes journey (ie: 10.25am reaches Newbury RFC at 10.35am)

 

ends.

25/4: Points Difference Pain for Newbury U16s at A&C Tens

April 27, 2009

Newbury U16s Stags missed out on the Amersham & Chiltern Tens Title by dint of scoring 7 points fewer than rivals Reading Abbey throughout the whole tournament.  Three teams went into the final round of matches level on match points having each won 3 games and lost 1.  At this stage, Newbury led the tournament placings by virtue of having scored more points than both Abbey and Amersham & Chiltern.  Although, all 3 teams won their final matches, Abbey romped home by 38 points to overtake the Newbury points total as the junior Blues could ‘only’ score 24 points in their final match against Bishops Stortford.  So near, but yet so far and it was the unfortunate, but now traditional Newbury ‘slow start’ that led to their eventual downfall as they lost their opening encounter before going on to play some good rugby throughout the rest of the tournament.

Ironically, it was much improved local rivals Reading Abbey who were first up for Newbury after a delayed start to the competition.  Newbury actually started the brighter and missed a couple of very good chances before the nerves set in and the ball seemed to turn into a bar of soap (in perfect conditions!) for most Newbury players.  The handling deteriorated as the game wore on as Newbury started to panic and throw high risk passes that were never on.  They lost control and they lost their shape and with very little time left they lost the game as Abbey managed to score a try in the corner from one of their few attacking positions.  The try was beautifully converted from the touchline to give them a 7-0 victory which ironically proved to be the number of points by which they eventually won the title.

Newbury regrouped and hauled themselves back into contention with 3 straight victories.  Amersham & Chiltern, the hosts, were comfortably beaten 27-0 thanks to tries from Ben Pritchard, Jacob Coplestone (2), James Moran and Jamie Stocks.  Chris O’Halloran added one conversion.  This win came at a price as skipper Jack Moates left the field injured and doubtful for the Newbury Tens.  Next up were our very own Newbury Roebucks who were bravely competing in what was very much an A team tournament.  The match was played with real intensity and no little skill with the Roebucks causing plenty of problems for the Stags before the A team ran out 25-5 winners thanks to tries from Stocks (2), Nick Baboolal, O’Halloran and Will Harwood.  Chris Abbott scored an excellent try for the Roebucks. The penultimate match for the Stags was against old rivals Maidenhead who were determined not to be on the end of another whacking from Newbury.  Although Newbury took a 10-0 half time lead thanks to tries from Stocks and Harwood, Maids came back to dominate the second half.  They claimed a very good try and conversion to bring the score back to 10-7 and Newbury had to defend with their lives to keep them out and hang on to their narrow lead until the final whistle blew.

It was following the fourth round of matches that Newbury learned that Abbey had slipped up against Amersham & Chiltern and that they were now back in the title hunt.  They knew that they had to keep the scoreboard ticking over against Bishops Stortford and after a nervy start eventually ran out 24-5 winners thanks to tries from Stocks, O’Halloran, Pritchard and James Smith.  O’Halloran added 2 conversions to extend the Newbury lead but the rest is history as Abbey did what was required on the adjacent pitch to take the title by a very slender margin.

As already mentioned, the Roebucks were also in action at the tournament and despite their valiant efforts they were unable to claim a scalp which is hardly surprising against high quality A teams from around the Home Counties.  The closest the Roebucks came was in their first match against Maidenhead where despite conceding a 14-0 half time deficit they fought back skilfully to match Maidenhead for tries thanks to scores from Harry Bate and Matt Childs.  Unfortunately, neither was converted and although the Roebucks threw everything at Maidenhead they were unable to score again and went down 14-10 in what was one of the best games of the day.  In their other matches, Newbury Roebucks went down to Abbey, Newbury Stags, Amersham & Chiltern and Bishops Stortford but they competed tirelessly and never threw in the towel.  They also seemed to be on the end of some pretty harsh refereeing interpretations in most of their games which didn’t help their cause.  The exception was the Newbury Stags v Newbury Roebucks fixture that was thankfully refereed very fairly and objectively by Newbury’s own Dave Smith.

So, it was a long day in Buckinghamshire where Newbury almost came away with some more silverware.  They have to overcome their tendency to start slowly if they are to progress next week in the Newbury Tens Festival, but at least this outing will have given them some much needed Tens practice ahead of the main event.

25/4: U16s Roebucks Plate Runners-Up at North Dorset 7s

April 27, 2009

Mixed fortunes for Newbury Stags and Roebucks at the North Dorset 7s on Sunday April 19^th as the Roebucks reach the Plate Final while the Stags went out in the group stages.  7s is not a game that Newbury play very frequently and for the most part it showed against the teams from Dorset and Wiltshire who are more familiar with the reduced form of the game.

Newbury Roebucks lost their opening fixture 28-5 to Avon with a consolation try from Michael Lintin but reached the Plate Final courtesy of a fine 17-5 victory over Dorchester.  Another try from the lively Lintin and 2 from the outstanding Matt Childs plus a Childs conversion were enough to see them through to the Plate Final as runners-up in their group.  In the Plate Final, the Roebucks came up against hosts North Dorset who clearly take their 7s very seriously and looked very distraught not to be in the main competition final.  They took out their disappointment on the Roebucks who although they fought valiantly were unable to deal with the greater 7s skills and preparedness of their opponents.  The final score was 29-7 to North Dorset, but some consolation for the Roebucks as they not only came away with a trophy but also scored the best try of the Final through Ben Hornby ably converted by James ‘The Boot’ Macaulay.

The Stags team really showed a lack of understanding of the 7 game as they continually took the ball into contact in their opening matches and basically tried to play a 15 a-side approach where width and support play and quick hands are what is required.  Their interest in the day was therefore over very quickly as they lost their opening two matches 19-5 to eventual winners Salisbury (Newbury try Henry Theobald) and 12-0 to North Dorset.  They began to get the hang of the 7s game by the time of their third match against Ellingham & Ringwood which they won 19-0 thanks to tries from Jack Moates (2) and Freddie Reschwamm.  Conversions Macaulay (1) and Reschwamm (1).

Congratulations to the Roebucks team and thank you to Colin Theobald for holding the reins and trying to instil ‘The Basics of 7s Rugby in One 30 Minute Lesson’!  Everyone had a good time on what was a beautiful day in Thomas Hardy country.

24/04 Team to face Sedgley Park

April 24, 2009

1.                ROB GREEN
2.                JOE CLARK
3.                TOM FIDLER
4.                IAN KENCH
5.                BRAD MOCKFORD
6.                IEN ASCROFT-LEIGH
7.                ROSS NOONAN
8.                ADRIAN GRIFFITHS
9.                BEN STEVENSON
10.              GARETH GRIFFITHS
11.              MATT WILLIAMS
12.              NICK SCOTT
13.              ANDREW HENDERSON
14.              MARTIN NUTT
15.              JONNY HYLTON

16.              PAUL FINCKEN
17.              HARRY PENDLETON
18.              ANDY EDWARDS (TBC)
19.              CHRIS RIDGERS
20.              TOM KESSELL
21.              CHARLIE PERRY
22.              WAYLON GASSON

Late fitness calls have deleyed us naming the squad.

23/4 U8s Festival reports and results

April 23, 2009

STAGS

Coach: Simon Walker

Ref: David Nock

1. Fergus Walker
2. Finlay Rossiter
3. Freddie Fleck
4. Gregor Lindsay
5. Nathan Moore-Mason
6. Joe Anidjah
7. Oliver Barnes
8. Ben McCarthy
9. Ross Ramos
10. Theo Thomas
11. Rory Henry
12. Henry Javes

U8As Pool 1

v Cheltenham 5-2

Gregor, Ted, Oliver Barnes, Freddie, Joe

v Petersfield A 4-4

Ross, Ben, Gregor x2

v Windsor A 3-8

Henry Javes, Ted, Ben

v Pencoed 5-6

Finlay x3, Ross, Nathan

3^rd Place Plate Final - Newbury won on countback of overall tries scored.

v Maidenhead A 5-5

Ross x4, Fergus

 

Cracking days play from the Stags.  Great passing and Tagging.  Everybody played well and scored at least one try.  Player of the day was Ross Ramos for his 6 tries, 4 of which were in the plate final.

 

 

 

 

HARTS

Coach: Chris Thomas

Ref: Peter Osborn

1. Mikey Bhatt
2. Victoria Osborn
3. Xavier Crossman
4. Gus O’Connor
5. William Stephens
6. Andrew Charteris
7. Kieron Cartledge
8. Kieran Peppiatt
9. Isaac Fernandes
10. Harry Seymour
11. Charlie Cardno

U8As Pool 2

v Southend A 1-4

Kieran Peppiatt

v Topsham 1-5

William

v Maidenhead A 4-5

Kieran Peppiatt, Charlie, Xavier, Victoria

v Bracknell A 4-7

Andrew, Gus, Kieran Peppiatt x2

5^th Place Medal Final - runners up

v Petersfield A 4-6

Kieran Peppiatt x2, Harry Seymour, Kieron Cartledge

 

Newbury Harts got of to a slow start against eventual winners Southend and were warmed up nicely for what could be considered the best match of the pool, narrowly loosing to Maidenhead A. All the players ran their hearts out, and during the day there was some excellent passing and running. Player of the day by a narrow margin from all the others was Kieran Peppiatt.

 

 

ROEBUCKS

Coach: Ben Cartledge

Ref: James McCarthy

1. Oliver Barker
2. Henry Stratton
3. Oliver Davey
4. Jacob Smith
5. Harry Stevens
6. Ruairidh Lindsay
7. Zac Peskin
8. Alasdair MaGee
9. Harry Dean-Evans
10. Tommy Harley

U8Bs Pool 2

v Topsham 2-6

Harry Stevens, Zac

v Redingensians 0-5

v Maidenhead B 3-6

Alasdair, Harry Stevens

v Windsor B 5-5

Harry Dean-Evans x2, Harry Stevens x2, Zac

3^rd Place Plate Final - Newbury won

v Winchester 5-3

Harry Stevens, Harry Dean-Evans, Vac x2, Tommy

 

I’m still brimming with pride for the hard-working B’s who lost their first three games against strong opposition, kept their chins up for a 5-5 draw in the fourth, before ending on a superb 5-3 win in our final game!  Harry Stevens was Player of the Day

23/04 U7’s B at the festival

April 23, 2009

B’ team results from the festival

 

Newbury v Windsor 2 - 6

Newbury v Topsham 4 -7

Newbury v Bracknell 4 - 5

Newbury v Maidenhead 6 - 3

Plate Final v Hungerford 3 - 3

 The B team got off to a slow start with confidence growing match by match.

Bracknell was the turning point however a dubious decision awarded Bracknell the win in the dying seconds but the team confidence was growing.

The squad contested in the Plate final V Hungerford, after a close hard fought game the score ended in a 3-3 draw, we ended up runner up due to cout back on tries scored. 

Again a very good all round effort with tries scored by everybody.

Squad members for on the day:-

Scott Wallace, Ben Davies, James Barker, Bertie Berry, Jacob Bone, Freddie Crofts, Zach Fryer, Ella Leeson, Sophie Mason, Seth Dawson, Tom MacAulay and Caoimhe Ruddock 

 

 

23/04 A message from the President

April 23, 2009

NEWBURY -v-   SEDGLEY PARK

 

A very warm welcome to all our visitors from Sedgley Park and everybody else in attendance for today’s league fixture at Monks Lane, for what is deemed to be the last game for both teams in the current National League Division 1 format.  Sedgley Park have enjoyed five years in National Division 1, albeit they were given a “pardon” at the end of the season 2005/2006 when the RFU decided that there would be no relegation and they would increase the league to 16 teams.  Birmingham Solihull were the other team who were given remission, although they were relegated two years later, but look set to return with promotion from this year’s National Division 2.  After only three years, the RFU have had more pondering and they have now decided to decrease the teams participating at this level to 12 teams.  This season did admittedly start with a lack of clarification from the RFU and it was rife that there was change about to happen, but when and how remained a question to be answered.  Will there be status quo for this season with any changes in the season 2009/20010, because surely if there were going to be any significant changes then all Clubs would have been notified by the RFU before the start of the season?  That was not to be the case but the rumour jungle remained active amidst talks of just how many teams would be relegated from National League 1, or even possibly none at all.   All the teams competing in National League Division 1 (FDR) were asked to vote on an RFU proposal to reduce the league to 12 teams and for it to be re-branded The Championship, which would be a fully professional league (what a frightening thought when every club in the current format is losing money!).  The Championship, as proposed, would only give each team 22 league games but the RFU promised an Anglo-Welsh Cup Competition, as well as giving the league a higher profile with plenty of coverage on Sky Television.  The winning team would be promoted to The Premiership.  The RFU promoted this to their best ability, but when put in front of the FDR it was rejected and at no time have the FDR voted in favour of the proposals.  The RFU have, however, deemed that this is what will happen as this is best for English Rugby and the future of “Team England”.  We shall wait and see, and I am not being dubious about the success of The Championship just because Newbury will not be involved, but for the future of English Rugby would it not have been better to have put some restrictions on the number of overseas’ players currently playing in The Premiership and National Division 1 (have Saracens got an English player? - Yes, I know they have, but it is mainly an exile team and could be branded “London South Africa”).

 

The upshot of all of the above is that both Newbury and Sedgley Park will be “going down” together with Manchester and Otley, who will be part of the RFU’s cull to play next year in National Division 1 - remember this year’s National Division 1 will be re-branded The Championship.  Apart from the four teams already “relegated”, there is a real battle to avoid the cull and be the 5^th team “going down” to National Division 1.  Plymouth Albion, Esher, Rotherham and Moseley are all involved in a very close fight.  Esher’s home loss to London Welsh last week probably puts the pressure on them, although Moseley might suffer a “hang over” after their incredible EDF Cup Final victory against Leeds.  Congratulations to everybody at Moseley.  The fate, if that is the right word, of Esher may not be known until the normal season has long finished because Moseley will not be playing Otley until 8 May 2009. 

 

Without the RFU changes, today’s game between Newbury and Sedgley Park will have been a real relegation decider.  It is absolutely clear what Newbury need to do to avoid finishing in the bottom two.  To beat Sedgley Park, and not let the opposition get any more than one bonus point unless Newbury achieve a tri-scoring bonus point as well, which sadly has not been done very often this season.  That is all Newbury Blues - it seems very straightforward!  This afternoon’s fixture will be a titanic game, of that I am absolutely sure.  Recently, Sedgley Park have been notching up some victories and scoring a lot of points.  In fact games between Sedgley Park and Newbury are synonymous with a lot of points.  Two years ago in an end of season, highly entertaining game at Sedgley Park, the two teams amassed 92 points in the afternoon, with Newbury just losing 45-47 points.  Earlier this season, there was a memorable encounter at Sedgley Park.  Newbury Blues were winning 37-28 with two minutes to go and looking to achieve their first away victory of the season.  Sedgley Park supporters were leaving the ground in their droves while Newbury’s valiant “faithful” stayed on to cheer their heroes, as they were about to achieve their first victory of the season.  Two minutes later, the final score was Newbury 37, Sedgley Park 42.  Unbelievable, but true.  My advice is do not leave early today!  Newbury will be looking to achieve their 5^th home victory of the season and equal Sedgley Park’s number of victories.  Our visitors have achieved one away win in another high scoring victory, away to Manchester, 35-51.  If Newbury finish on the same number of points as Sedgley Park, they will finish above them because of the better for and against points record, as indeed Newbury also have against Manchester and Otley.  Newbury are however currently the lowest points scorers in the league and therefore today is an opportunity to score some points, gain a valuable win and not finish in the dreaded “bottom two”.

 

In our final game of the season, it is really good to have a Club like Sedgley Park visit Monks Lane.  Sedgley Park are a Members’ Club like Newbury, and have shown in recent years to be a role model in how to run a semi-professional set-up and also organize other Senior Teams, as well as run successful Minis, Juniors and Colts - and I believe, all within budget, which we know is a great achievement!  Clubs like Sedgley Park and Newbury may well have been playing “above themselves” in recent years, but both Clubs have really enjoyed the experience and, I believe, have given good value and provided entertaining rugby wherever they have travelled across England.  For Newbury, none of us will ever forget our games against Harlequins and Northampton, and our victories against Exeter, Coventry, Plymouth Albion (on many occasions!!), and hopefully today, Sedgley Park! 

 

For the Newbury players, it has been a long and hard season with the team lacking consistency in performance and personnel.  We have suffered a high number of injuries but despite one or two disappointments, especially the away game at Manchester, the team have at all time, shown tremendous character and determination.  Ben Sturnham has developed the team and given them character, and he and his fellow Coaches deserve credit for what they have achieved.  The players themselves have shown huge amounts of determination and, on occasions, no little class.  I think this has been shown in recent home games against Rotherham and Nottingham which could so easily have been well deserved victories, especially the Wednesday night fixture against a very good Nottingham team.  The Newbury side will need to show the same mentality today as they did on that occasion against Nottingham.  The Newbury team does possess some very good players, and it is our intention that many of them will be playing for Newbury in next season’s 1^st Division.  The experience of this year, and one year older, will make the young Newbury Blues a formidable team in the new National Division 1.  For today, I would like to see the team continue to play enterprising rugby with Jack Bentall, Ross Noonan, Ian Ashcroft-Leigh, Joe Clark, Brad Mockford, Paul Finken and all charging at the opposition.  Tom Fidler and Rob Green likewise, as well as the very promising Harry Pendleton.  Swift ball to the backs and a quick exchange of the ball to create tries for our fast running wings, who given enough space, are as good as any in the league.  The silky skills of Ben Richardson, Gareth Griffiths and Ben Stevenson will shine through, as will the strong running and eager tackling Andrew Henderson, and the flair of young and very promising scrum-half, Tom Kessell.   It would give all of us particular pleasure to see Chris Ridges, Martin Nutt, Rhys Crane and Johnny Hylton sprinting round the opposition and scoring some wonderful tries to celebrate the end of the season, and achieve today’s goal of a win and a final place of 13^th in the league. 

 

The season comes to an end, and it is important to thank all our Sponsors who have contributed to Newbury Rugby Football Club this season.  Today’s Match Sponsors are Dovetail and other Sponsors also in attendance are our shirt sponsors, Jokers’ Masquerade, Quintons and Positive Computing.  I would also like to thank all the Clubs’ Sponsors, especially Vodafone, and the designers and printers of our excellent Match Programme.  Thanks also to the “Man of the Match” Sponsors, the Furze Bush Inn.  I would also like to mention today’s Match Officials, who are Referee, Michael Tutty and his Assistant Referees, Andrew Bickle and Paul Stanley, and we hope you enjoy today’s fixture.  I would also like to renew my thanks to Ben Sturnham, Andy Widdop and all the Coaching Team who have helped Newbury Blues this season, but I would also like to particularly thank all the volunteers who have given so much of their time so freely, not only to running Newbury’s 1^st XV games but also to everyone else in our Club, which is so superbly run and very well organized, especially at the Colts, Mini and Junior level.  Our recent Festival was just another resoundingly successful day.  Well done to Newbury Bluebirds on their success this season.  To all of you who give your time so freely and graciously, I thank you enormously.  I would also like to thank all the Newbury Blues’ Supporters who have given their team great support this year both at Monks Lane and also on their travels.  Next season, we can look forward to our travels, not only revisiting Launceston but also to new pastures such as Tynedale and Blaydon. 

 

Enjoy your day at Monks Lane and the summer months ahead, which include a fascinating British Lions Tour.  After the summer we look forward to next season and will that be another season of change - no, now is not the time to go there, enough has been said. 

 

Happy Days.

 

David Smith

President

 

 

23/04 U7’s A at the festival

April 23, 2009

Newbury v Topsham. 5 - 6

Semi Final Cup. Newbury v Bracknell. 4 - 5

Final Vase. Newbury v Southend 6 - 6

Overall a great performance from Newbury U7 A’s with a tally of 1 win, 2

draws and 2 losses given the quality of the competition. Everyone

contributed to the success of the Stags team with tries across the three

games from Ted 2, Matthew 5, Hugh 3, Alexander 5, Dominic 1, William Van

Hinsburgh 1, Nathan 1, Deon 3, Tom 1, Jamie 2, William Sparkes 2 and Thomas

2.

They say that every picture tells a story and the team photo taken after

the awards ceremony shows a team of players, smiling and happy with their

performance - Enough said.

 

Squad members  

 

Ted Dyer, Matthew Gaskell, William Van Hinsbergh, Dominic Gibbard, Nathon Hudson, Deon Le Roux, Thomas Leeson, Hugh McKenna, Jamie Miller, Alexander Tomlinson and Tom Wright

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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