Easter Rugby Camp for kids aged 7 to 13
March 31, 2010
If you are interested in this event please complete the consent form by downloading it here and email it to chris.rowland@yahoo.co.uk or send ity to NRFC, Monks Lane, Newbury RG14 7RW
NRFC - Rugby for all.
28/03 Newbury U13B v Windsor U13B
March 31, 2010
Newbury U13 B - 21 Windsor U13 B 12
After last week’s disappointment against Bracknell, the Under 13 Bs returned to winning ways with a hard fought victory against Windsor – the win was especially rewarding as this was the first time that a Newbury B team at our age group has ever beaten them. Once again it was a great team performance that made the difference in a game which was often untidy on both sides. It is to Newbury’s credit that Windsor were never able to settle into their stride due to the usual tenacity of the forwards and lots of harrying pressure from the backs.
In the first half Windsor had the advantage of a chilly breeze and the sun behind them. As is often the case, Newbury settled faster than the opposition, and managed to score a converted try in the first five minutes. James Lewis’ kick-off went deep and was not taken cleanly by Windsor. Newbury charged forward to pressurise and a great tackle by Luke Hornblow forced the knock on. Newbury drove, winning two consecutive scrums. At the second James Lewis broke through and almost made it to the line. From the ensuing ruck and through a mound of players Zach Stancombe grabbed the ball and dived over. James Lewis converted.
If Newbury thought they were going to have any easy game, the opposition had other ideas. Windsor’s restart kick was fumbled by the receivers and for the next five minutes Newbury were forced slowly back towards their own line. Despite some stout defending Windsor’s pressure eventually paid off. The ball was driven over the line and a conversion levelled the scores at 7-all.
Newbury held their nerve and started to play good attacking rugby again. The forwards began to get the better of the opposition, and Joe Peppiatt at scrum half was distributing well. The ball was steered toward the Windsor line to the right of the posts – from the ruck Joe passed the ball out to James and Newbury had a four to one overlap on the left. Despite the overlap James chose to run at the line himself and was stopped 5 metres out – however Luke Hornblow was following up, picked up the ball and ran between the posts. James converted again for a 14-7 lead.
This time Newbury took the restart well and pushed forward again. It was beginning to look as if they could possibly take charge of the game – however both teams were making a lot of handling errors and neither side could put together consistent fluid passing movements. And despite pressing forward Newbury were let down by the old failing of missing their tackles. A Windsor forward picked up the ball in his 22 and broke across the pitch through the Newbury pack. Despite a crunching tackle from Kellen Keene (by far and away the best of the game) the ball was distributed to their winger who ran from inside his own half to score under the posts. The conversion looked inevitable – however Oliver Norman dashed forward as the kicker took his run up and charged down the kick – a great piece of play that kept Newbury’s noses ahead 14-12 at half time.
At the start of the second half both teams made a number of changes, particularly in the front row. Both sides seemed slow to settle and the first period was quite messy, with a number of handling errors and problems at set pieces. Throughout the half scrums were wheeling and had to be reset. However, just when the crowd was wondering whether either team would get back into its stride Newbury made the breakthrough. Windsor looked to send the ball down the back line – but James Lewis read the game well, put in a terrific interception and charged toward the 22. He was tackled and went to ground, but Newbury continued to press. At a maul 10 metres out Alasdair Gravatt wrenched the ball from the Windsor forwards and drove on. Although the ball was briefly lost close to the line Newbury stole it back and finally Conor Segre crossed to score. James Lewis slotted in a tricky conversion to make it 21-12.
Despite no further points being added in the final 15 minutes, Newbury had the better chances and could have extended their lead. A clever kick and chase by Luke Hornblow almost caught the Windsor defence napping, but the full back just managed to clear. And just before the end Alasdair Gravatt dragged three defenders along with him for 10 metres and crossed the line, but the ball was just held up.
So once again congratulations to the Bs for a great team performance. Special praise goes to Ciaran Ffrench for a great game at full-back on his first time in the position. However, the whole squad should be proud to have battled to a historic win.
Scorers:
Tries: Zach Stancombe, Luke Hornblow, Conor Segre
Conversions:James Lewis (3)
28/3 U16 As - bonus point win over Redingensians
March 30, 2010
Newbury U16 As grind out bonus point win over Redingensians
Newbury U16 A 28 – Redingensians U16 A 3
Newbury continued their winning run-in to the end of the season, playing their last youth-rugby home league match on the first team pitch at Monks Lane on Sunday. Unavailability of several players was most keenly felt up front and left no forwards on the bench.
Redingensians disrupted Newbury’s scrum and took advantage of their underperforming lineout, preventing the home side from enjoying any meaningful set piece possession for much of the game and crucially in the first 15 minutes. Consequently Newbury struggled to exert the control and dominance they thought they might and this set the scene for a frustrating game for players and home spectators. After a scrappy and error strewn first period Newbury took the first points, sensibly opting to kick a penalty on the 22 which Jonny Courtney made comfortably. Sadly, the relief was temporary as the visitors matched it a few minutes later. Despite initiating promising running moves in the backs and occasional surges by the forwards the result was, all too often, dropped passes and lost offloads. Then Jonno Stancombe made the breakthrough with a powerful pick and charge inside the 22, rocketed forward by rare close support for the first try. Jonny Courtney converted, 10-3. Unfortunately, a shoulder knock for Tim Blake saw him leave the field soon after and, without a replacement, Tom Nield moved to the flank and did a good sound job for the rest of the game. Although their first score lifted Newbury spirits it didn’t prove to be the tonic it usually is. Newbury didn’t settle and the hasty, disjointed play continued. But persistence paid off. Lined up left at a scrum on the 22 just right of the posts, with a huge blind side, Jonno Stancombe picked, went right and popped to Joe Leadley on the break. Jonny Courtney targeted an inside gap, calling for a short give, but saw Joe Leadley winding up his pass so veered back out, took the longer ball and stepped round the winger and over for Newbury’s second. Half time, 15-3.
The second half developed in much the same way. At the set piece, Newbury hooked well but struggled to get the ball out, or get it out cleanly, and couldn’t rely on lineout ball which became a bit of a lottery. And the continuity of the last match was absent. Redingensians disrupted well but never really threatened to score or turn the game round. So, for Newbury, the game may have been safe but time had ticked by and, inside the last ten minutes, the bonus point was still two tries away. Then, a penalty just inside the 22. Go for the corner? No, the lineout wasn’t working. A scrum and give the backs a go? Maybe. Or power forward and go through the phases? Not this time. Go for points, was the decision, and Jonny Courtney slotted. But there was still the small matter of two tries. Finally, the momentum, support and offloading Newbury had displayed the previous week started to emerge with just over five minutes to go. Now constantly on the front foot, and perhaps realising the significance of the bonus point, Newbury piled on relentless pressure. Blitzing on defence, Newbury forced a dropped ball out of the visitors. Jonny Courtney scooped it up and dashed down the line from half way, into the corner for the third. Three minutes left. Straight back at them, and focused and urgent at last, Newbury launched an onslaught on Redingensians’ defence including two signature bulldozer breaks by Ean Kershaw and Jonno Stancombe and forced a series of penalties in Redingensians’ 22 – running each of them, pushing close but knocking on. That could have been it but a poor clearance from the scrum gifted possession back to Newbury. Seconds ticking away – Newbury going forward slowly – three phases moving to the left – a narrow blind side – a break by Harry Fisher – the fourth try – final whistle. Phew!
So, the door to league honours remains open, but only just ajar. If Newbury can win with a bonus point on April 18, then the top three positions will be decided by the outcome of the Windsor-Maidenhead game the same day.
Tries: Jonny Courtney (2), Jonno Stancombe, Harry Fisher
Penalties: Jonny Courtney (2) Conversion: Jonny Courtney
Squad: Peter Allan, Tim Blake, Alex Cima, Jonny Courtney, Harry Fisher, Sam Gutteridge, Greg Heath, Jack Hibberd, Ben Hicks, Ean Kershaw, Tom Lauder, Joe Leadley, Jake Newton, Tom Nield, George Read-Smith, Tom Simm, Jonathan Stancombe (capt)
Photos from the Newbury vs Redruth game
March 29, 2010
Photos from the Newbury vs Redruth game by Richard Bennett.
Photos as a set:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bennettsocial/sets/72157623714665938/
Photos as a slideshow:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bennettsocial/sets/72157623714665938/show/
Junior Home Fixtures 28th March
March 26, 2010
Newbury U14A v Redingensians U14A (BYL) KO 11.00am
Newbury U16A v Redingensians U16A (BYL) KO 11.00am
Newbury U16B v Redingensians U16B (BYL) KO 11.00am
Team to Face Redruth
March 26, 2010
NEWBURY v REDRUTH
1. TOM FIDLER
2. PAUL FINCKEN
3. CRAIG McGRATH
4. DAN HODGE
5. IEN ASCROFT-LEIGH
6. LIAM PERKINS
7. JACK BENTALL
8. ED JACKSON
9. JACK AVERY
10. MITCH BURTON
11. FINLAY COXON-SMITH
12. MIKE MANGEOLLES
13. NICK SCOTT
14. KARL BUTTLE
15. CHARLIE PERRY
REPS:
16. MATT OLIVER
17. ALISTAIR WIDDOP
18. ANDREW CANNOCK
19. MATT HUMPHRIES
20. ANDY GALE
21/03 Newbury U14 Roebucks v Aldermaston U14A’s
March 25, 2010
“Newbury U14 Roebucks explode into life against AWE Aldermaston”
Newbury U14 Roebucks v Aldermaston U14A’s
March, Monks Lane, Cold and wet……not a bit of it, warm and sunny and the makings of a rugby fest day for the Roebucks who with their squad colleagues in the Stags have begun to show the promise that has been threatening to explode over the last few weeks.
Newbury started with 14 players but this did not deter them from taking the game to the opposition from the start. Led from the front by Eion McFarlane the squad rampaged their opposition leading to 3 tries (Wilson, Footitt and Clarke) with a conversion from Norman during the first half and a dominant Newbury side. The training regime is working and Newbury’s efforts and hard work paid off to lead at the break. The only disappointment was to lose one of the 14 to injury and down to 13 men. But no drop in spirit or effort.
They showed tenacity and team spirit never previously seen from them.
With only thirteen on the field they still stayed with the game and supported each other at every point.
Coaches View
“The boys tackled very well today and worked as a unit for more phases.
Try’s were scored by forwards and backs showing their willingness to move the ball about”.
One thing that stuck out today was that for the most part when a player went down to ground there was always a player in close proximity for the down player to pass back too before he grounded the ball.
This showed a great advancement in skill level across the whole squad and Newbury’s forwards were dominant throughout. Aldermaston to their credit kept working the 13 men and came back into the game a couple of times with 2 tries to keep them in touch but Tom Calvert sealed the game with try to hang on to a slender lead 22 -19.
Newbury tired in the last 10 minutes but dug deep and kept Aldermaston out to win by three points.
Final score Newbury U14 Roebucks 22 – 19 Aldermaston U14A’s.
Coaches View
“It was a great team effort and really inspiring for us as spectators.
The most impressive part was the fact that Newbury and Aldermaston boys showed such great friendship towards each other at the end of the game. It was noted that at the after game meal Newbury and Aldermaston players were seated at the same tables chatting and giving banter about the game. A hard fought game and a great after game atmosphere. Well done to all”.
21/03 Newbury U14 Stags v Bracknell U14A’s
March 25, 2010
“Bracknell Crumble against the increasingly impressive Newbury U14 Stags”
Bracknell U14A’s 21 - 29 Newbury U14 Stags
The first sunny and relatively warm Sunday morning of the season since Christmas saw the U14 Stags travel to Bracknell for what was to be another improved performance and another shock for old opposition.
The venue was moved to the local park and with an earlier than usuaul kick off the Newbury squad made together, eventually, ready for the game.
Bracknell looked more ‘up for it’ than the Stags but sometimes looks can be deceiving.
Kick off time and the first ruck of the game saw Newbury set out their stall. Smashing Bracknell back and immediately allowing the backs free space to run, a familiar pattern. Wave after wave of rucks, forwards rampant as always and Bracknell spending the first quarter with no ball and defending everything. One of those days again….Bracknell first time with ball in hand kicked through and charged the ball 65 metres to open the scoring, unbelievable but Newbury behind 7 – 0.
No rousing this weekend from the coach but some serious sensible calm talking!! Whatever it was the momentum from before the score continued and Price-Richards broke away through the Bracknell defence but was thwarted. After more attacking and great running from everyone were rewarded by a great ruck, backs running and Price-Richards scoring near the corner. 7 – 5 the hosts.
Newbury tails were up and as the front five worked their way up field from the kick off and the backs were released at every second phase the Bracknell side defended with their lives. The Newbury back row were dominant and it was as much as Bracknell could do to stop the waves of pressure and outstanding rugby, Price-Richards kicking cross field for Herrod Taylor to catch and run, twice almost scoring, more great defence and Bracknell still in their own half…. A kick and chase by the home side a rare foray into Newbury territory, counter attack from Greenshields at Full back, ball spun wide …attack, ruck, penalty in front of the posts. Rossiter converts, half time 7 – 8 Newbury.
‘Coaches View’
The most convincing half of rugby this season, every part joined and some really good rugby in every phase of the game. Thought we should have scored two more tries…..never satisfied are we as coaches!!
Second Half and the score really doesn’t do The Stags justice. Bracknell with renewed fire come straight back at Newbury but still the forwards dominate and allow Sam Rossiter to clear away and score to take Newbury ahead with Rossiter converting 7 – 15 to Newbury.
The confidence was beginning to show from Newbury and with total domination of the Bracknell pack the best play of the game where more quick ball released Price-Richards to release Herrod-Taylor to sidestep his way through the defence and score….great score and conversion from Rossiter 7 – 22…..to the visitors.
Open the flood gates for more tries not a bit of it and Bracknell still came back fighting and some Newbury indiscipline led to a period of sustained pressure from Bracknell for them to come back into the game and score and convert.14 – 22.
Now a fight back from Bracknell who had never given up and now Newbury were being tested. The pack found more gas and started to put pressure back on, the pack were tiring but continued to dominate and the backs were running the show. A scrum 25 metres out and Sam Rossiter intelligently changed direction to split the defence and score and convert the try 14 – 29.
With 5 minutes to go game over…well nearly but Bracknell had the last word when they battled through to score in the last minute and bring the score to
21 – 29. A great win for Newbury and the best performance yet.
Coaches View
“The best game we’ve played and almost the most complete. Every player worked for each other, a luxury to have 18 and be able to use them all and see no real change in tempo or shape. You could single out a few players but without the other guys they wouldn’t be able to excel so a great team performance and the benchmark for them is raised again…. I think we still have 20% in the tank.!! Well done for a great result and a good performance”.
25/03 Weekend breaks in winter – rugby style!
March 24, 2010
Since my last programme piece we have had two games. Firstly a big, satisfactory home win (90-5) against a gutsy but out classed Manchester side. Secondly a very typically, hard fought contest away against Cinderford which saw us lose (29-13) and be reduced to 14 men when Chris Rowland saw red in the dying minutes of the first half.
I was going to try and inject some humour into my article this week, but Tom Fidler said that I had to make it inspiring. He looks forward to my (very occasional) team chats because it sends him out with real purpose and a spring in his step!
There is something to be admired at the way that the Manchester team have approached this season. They themselves must have realised very early on (and the rest of the league soon had an idea following their 148-0 loss to Esher on day one) what was in store for this season. Yet they have fielded a side every week, when many said that they would fold before Christmas. They play for the full 80 minutes and play for each other. Off the field the players and coaches seem to enjoy each other’s company and remain together at all stages. Building a team takes time. You cannot build a winning team until you have built a team – Manchester have a team and if they stay together they, eventually, will become a winning team. I would love to be there when they win (whenever it is!)
One of the nice things about playing rugby in a National League is that you get to visit many of the great beauty spots this country has to offer. The down side is we get to visit them “out of season”. So we get to go to Cornwall, Northumberland, The Yorkshire Dales and, two weeks ago, “The Forest!”
Whilst these locations are miles apart, their passion for rugby is fierce and their supporters are as “one eyed” as any, always wanting their team to win. Their styles are similar; very physical, although the way that they deliver that physicality may differ! One thing is for sure, any team visiting these places know that if they come away with a win it will have been a hard fought and well deserved. They are difficult to beat at home. The crowd is very vocal from the moment “their boys” come out to warm up until the final whistle. If they get on top they stay on top and the crowd help maintain that momentum. If they are defending the crowd become that 16th man and make defending that bit easier.
On Saturday we welcome a Redruth side who are just above us in the league, having played one game more. When we visited the Duchy at the end of November they gave us a torrid time on a very wet Cornish afternoon. The home crowd filled the grandstand (not even the locals wanted to stand in the rain) and really got behind the home side and we were sent packing with our tails between our legs!
A great deal has happen, to both sides, since then. As a team we will be expecting another tough challenge but are resolved to put in a better performance than in November. Get behind the team and become our 16th man!
On a different note we wish Chris Ridgers a speedy recovery from his latest set back. Chris broke a metacarpal (finger to you and me) against Cinderford. Good news is that it does not require an operation so we are hoping Chris will be back for our last few games.
Finally, the 1st team are organising a 60/70’s theme disco which will take place following the home game against Stourbridge on Saturday 10th April. Entry will be free. Look out for posters and announcements on the website. The players and coaches wish this to be an opportunity to thank the supporters and all those involved in the club from parents of minis and juniors, colts, ladies to amateurs. A club like ours cannot and will not survive without people putting in a great deal of time and effort. The 1st team players DO appreciate this and feel that this is a chance for everyone to come together and celebrate!
Andy Widdop
1st XV Manager
25/03 Captain’s Log
March 24, 2010
Captain’s log star date 25 – 03 – 2010 …right Bill Shatner impression out of the way. Well to begin with I’d like to say a big hello and thank you to all our diehard fans who support us week in week out, in this instalment of my regular column I hope to give you a player’s view of current events and rugby in Newbury, both on and off the pitch.
Firstly to Manchester, then. Well, what a great bunch of guys with a true spirit of rugby. Each Saturday they take to the field hoping to secure their first win of the season and from experience I can tell you they keep fighting to the final whistle. From our point of view it was a great chance to play some open rugby with Mitch Burton leading from the front, the backs seeming to be able to score from almost anywhere with some great running lines and well-executed plays. The forwards, as always, were dominant in both scrum and lineout providing clean ball all afternoon. A few “bigger” boys even had a few trundles.
From the fast-flowing rugby against Manchester to the war of attrition against Cinderford in the Forest of Dean. A battle from start to finish with casualties on both sides! From the start, Cinderford set their stall out early with hard rucking, solid tackling and the insertion of many fingers in many different orifices! We had a great opening 30 minutes, sticking to our game plan securing both territory and possession.
With Cinderford’s “off the ball activity” finally becoming too much for Chris “Alfred” Rowland, upon seeing his opposite number Andy Deacon’s finger lodged in my eye (I can only assume he left his wedding ring in there in a previous gouge!) Chris took it upon himself to have a quiet word with his oppo, resulting in six stitches for Deacon and a red card and a red face for Rowland’s act of heroism. Unfortunately that changed the game for us and things took a turn for the worst, although from this we can take heart from the performances of some of the squad’s younger contingent who definitely stood up to be counted.
Off the field, some of the other 1st XV boys and I have enjoyed some excellent nights at the club. Recently, at the race night and St Patrick’s night, some of you may have noticed the two gorgeous ladies, horse, jockey and accompanying toffs! Both excellent evenings enjoyed by all (some more than others Mr Rowland.)
It was great to see so many people giving back to their club and thanks must go to the volunteers who organised these events, too numerous to mention all their names.
So to Saturday’s opponents Redruth, a good, hard Cornish team with whom I’ve had some battles over the years enjoying some excellent hospitality in hell fire corner! It will be a hard game with a good battle between the forwards, judging by our last encounter.
Thank you for reading and have a great day. Mine’s a pint of good old boy if you see me!
Come on you Blues!
Craig McGrath