Regional 2 Midlands West

Shipston-on-Stour 15 Newent RFC 21

THE Green Army's unbeaten record survived the sternest of examinations from a big and bold Shipston side on Saturday, thanks to an immense defensive effort, reports SIMON BARKER.

A fiercely contested game between the league leaders and the league’s top scorers ended in drama with Newent’s tacklers forcing a knock-on inches from their line to preserve their winning run.

Newent were penalised early on for collapsing a scrum, but the visitors held up the maul from the lineout and then won a penalty to put them into Shipston territory.

A multi-phased attack with Dylan Leney probing the fringes from scrum-half and Doug Long into the line from full back, ended with Tom Webb making the key line break before feeding openside Leo Oakey for a clear charge to the line, Doug Long converting for 7-0.

Shipston reduced the arrears though when Newent were penalised 25m out in front of the posts, with full-back Rob James kicking the three-pointer.

A good chase of a Webb kick, Jack Devries leading the charge, then forced a knock-on in midfield just outside the Shipston 22.

Newent’s scrum provided the platform for the backs to go right, quick hands and a telling incision and offload from Long releasing Will Hartland for a fine finish, and Long adding a good conversion for 14-3.

Shipston responded strongly and a penalty for a high tackle gave the Rams a lineout 10m from the line, from which blindside Tobi Faulkner peeled off the back of the maul to crash over for an unconverted try for 14-8.

The half ended with Shipston pressing, but Newent’s defence twice denied them – firstly with a tackle into touch inches from the line and then by holding up the ball carrier over the line.

After the restart, the hosts turned down a couple of easy three-pointers in favour of tap and goes.

And when Shipston opted for a scrum after a no-arms tackle 20m out, centre Ben Harris picked a good line and scrum half Connor Hutchison found a gap to dart under the posts, converted for a 15-14 lead.

But straight away, a break from Webb was halted by a high tackle 25m out and a George Clair penalty to the corner saw Newent secure their lineout before creating a clear overlap for Adrian Connelly.

When Webb’s pass was knocked on by Connor Hutchison the referee showed a yellow card to Shipston’s scrum-half, before running between the posts to signal a penalty try for 21-15.

The hosts then laid siege as Newent were briefly reduced to 13 players, following yellow cards to Devries then Hartland.

Shipston opted to tap their penalties, and from one, Harris touched down by the left hand upright, but the referee had spotted crossing and ruled it out.

Encouraged by a large home crowd, the Rams advanced again through a series of pick and goes before a final lunge for the line saw the ball dislodged by the intensity of Newent’s tacklers.

The referee signalled it had gone forward and then blew for full-time, much to the relief of the visiting support.

Elsewhere, Ross 1st XV won their first Counties 4 Tribute game of the year 19-13 at home to Bristol Barbarians.

Newent next travel to Ludlow on Saturday (January 25) while Ross host Smiths 2nds.