IF YOU had offered Newbold 35 points after ten league games they would have snapped your hand off but Saturday’s 53-5 defeat at Bedford Athletic in Midlands 1 East division showed how much work there remains ahead should they be seriously targeting promotion, writes Alan Bale.
The home side matched Newbold up front, but with a number of changes to the backs combined with on-going injuries, the Parkfield Road side lacked strength in depth in their back line.
From start to finish, Newbold really did not give too many glimpses of their form to date and were cut wide open on numerous occassions.
A first minute penalty for the hosts was the start of many mistakes by Danny Facers’ side and soon it became a lot worse as the first of numerous missed lineout throws resulted in the first try.
Newbold attempted to muscle their way in, but they were well matched up front when they did show any purpose.
A theme for the afternoon was a turnover at the lineout and this is where Bedford were able to score four tries.
Newbold defended well at times but any time the ball went wide it looked as though Bedford were going to score.
A further penalty and a total of five tries in the first half with Mortimer producing a superb kicing display moves the hosts 39-0 in front at the break.
KJ Henry was yellow carded shortly after the re-start but Newbold had the wind in their favour and although they rallied Beford managed to score two further tries.
Newbold never stopped trying and to their credit they did put some pressure on the home side throughout the second half which resulted in a score of their own through Ben Thompson.
Up next for Newbold is another league fixture when they host Bugbrooke at home.
