RUGBY: Newbold too strong for Hereford this time

Midlands 1 West

Newbold on Avon 25 Hereford 10

Newbold entertained Hereford looking to make amends for the earlier season defeat, writes Phil Fereday.

Bold had five changes from last week, all in the forwards. From the kick off Hereford gained possession and applied pressure, using their big heavy forwards to make yards and after 10 minutes were three points up from a penalty kick.

The Bold in the second quarter began to get more of the ball and started to gain ground with their own heavy hitters Rudi Reid and Ben Dawes being prominent. They were also beginning to get on top in the scrummage.

The result of this was Hereford began to concede penalties and Dan O’Brien was on target with two kicks for a 6-3 lead at half time.

The first score of the second half came from a dominant scrum on halfway. The ball was picked up by Sam Thompson who made ground before offloading to Lee Lightowler, who in turn made an outside break speeding down the touchline to score in the corner, converted by O’Brien.

The next score came from a lineout with Rob Sandercock taking a clean catch and the forwards then driving Hereford backwards over the line for Rudi Reid to claim the touch down. O’Brien’s kick made it 20-3 to the Bold.

Hereford now showed why there are in the top half of the league table and put Newbold under pressure, ending with a converted try, 20-10.

This was the wakeup call Newbold needed and the final period saw them maintaining possession with some slick ball handling from the back line allowing James McGill and Josh D’Arcy to make telling breaks.

The final score fittingly came from the hard working forwards. After a succession of five metres scrums No 8 Sam Thompson touched down for 25-10.

This week Newbold host Droitwich at Parkfield Road.