Newbold beat Nuneaton to book their place in Warwickshire final - The Rugby Observer

Newbold beat Nuneaton to book their place in Warwickshire final

Rugby Editorial 5th Jan, 2016 Updated: 27th Oct, 2016   0

IT PROVED to be a magnificent start to 2016 for Newbold on Avon after they progressed through to the final of the Warwickshire Cup thanks to hard-fought 26-17 win over National League Three outfit Nuneaton, reports Alan Bale.

The Parkfield Road men raised their game against a strong Nuneaton side to claim the win and book a place in the final where they will meet Sutton Coldfield on February 7.

Newbold started off the stronger of the two sides and were soon rewarded with a penalty which was struck sweetly by Ethan Wookey.

Soon after Adam Shaw charged down an attempted clearance from a Nuneaton full-back and was able to claim the first try of the match which was converted by Ethan Wookey for 10-0.




Newbold did not let up and having kept up the pressure on all the set pieces, it was a lineout catch and drive that resulted in Mark Hydes marching on to score a second try, although this time Wookey was unlucky with the conversion attempt.

Nuneaton rang the changes as Smitham and Griffiths entered the fray, and pretty soon they were clawing their way back thanks to a penalty from Wilson for 15-3.


By now the Nuneaton backs were being given space and they reduced the deficit to five points thanks to a well-worked try by centre Adams.

Newbold responded well and immediately pushed the ball deep back into Nuneaton’s half before the referee awarded a penalty which was well struck by Wookey for 18-10 at half-time.

Coach Matt Davies emphasised how important the first score of the second half would be and it went to Newbold.

Danny Treharne time appeared from a melee of bodies for a vital but unconverted score which pushed Newbold 13 points ahead.

Nuneaton made more changes in a bid to get back into the match once again and they pressed forward eager to peg their opponents back.

Much of the play was now in Newbold’s 22, but when they had to they defended resolutely and when play was dangerously around the five-metre line, it was Newbold who were able to clear.

Nuneaton did manage to find a deserved score, as their driving maul fell just short of the line but Brown managed to pick up and find a way through with Wilson landing the conversion for 23-17.

Ben Hartwell, Sam Thompson, Kyle Furlong and Tom Dixon were all introduced for Newbold as the clock ticked towards full-time.

It was a nail biting last few minutes, but Newbold and Ethan Wookey sent the pulses racing as he missed a penalty from deep.

But it was not long before he eagerly accepted another penalty opportunity, which came from the hard graft of his pack, and moved the score to 26-17 to secure his team a place in the final and one of Newbold’s greatest ever wins.

Newbold cannot take their foot off the gas as they prepare for another tough game this Saturday against Market Rasen at Parkfield Road.

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