Midlands Two West

Newent RFC 50 Ledbury 19

NEWENT’S derby against Ledbury attracted a big crowd to the Stade de Rec, anticipating rich entertainment in perfect conditions for running rugby, and they weren’t disappointed.

The unbeaten league leaders pressed hard from the kick-off, only for what looked a scoring pass to be intercepted by Ledbury fly-half Jack Hughes 5m from the line, who ran the length of the pitch to score before converting his try.

Newent were quickly back on level terms with a fine reply though – Adrian Connelly fielding a kick just outside the home 22 before launching a counter attack taken on by Jordan Devries.

Quickly recycled ball then put Brooks over in the left-hand corner, and Tom Webb converted from the touchline for 7-7.

From a lineout on halfway, a strong carry from Will Tanner next breached the defence and several phases later Brooks crossed wide on the right for his second try.

Webb’s conversion attempt missed after clipping the top of the left-hand upright.

But a loose pass inside Newent’s 22 was next intercepted by centre Will Hartland, who was hauled down just short of the Ledbury line.

And although the ball was lost forward, Newent disrupted the Ledbury scrum to win a penalty.

Will Tanner then carried hard to draw tacklers and more quick ruck ball gave Hartland the opportunity to cross just to the right of the posts, Webb adding the extras for 19-7.

The hosts then conjured their bonus-point try from a scrum on their 10m line.

James Marshall carried hard into the Ledbury 22 and a deftly delayed pass from Webb found Connelly running the finest of lines to cross unopposed, although the conversion was narrowly off target.

Ben Vincent then ran back the restart and another well-timed pass from Webb put Connelly into space on halfway.

And the winger showed a startling turn of pace to streak away for another try in Cauldron Corner, Webb’s touchline conversion extending Newent’s lead to 31-7 at half-time.

A promising attack early in the second period was thwarted by a Kyle Towers knock-on, deemed deliberate and prompting a yellow card, and from the penalty, Ledbury’s pack mauled over.

Their tails up, Ledbury’s eight then pushed their opponents off their ball to take a scrum against the head and the ball was sent to the lightly guarded blindside for an unconverted try, reducing the deficit to 33-19.

But Newent hit back, as more crisp handling created space for full-back Doug Long to cross wide on the left, Webb adding the extras to bring up the 40.

Jack Devries – who had replaced twin Jordan in the second-row – next caught the restart and charged upfield.

Ted Bailey was quick to spin the ruck ball once again and Tom Webb fed captain Ben Vincent for a trademark carry, Webb converting for 47-19.

At this point Newent’s former captain Dan Fletcher came on for his first Midlands Two West appearance of the season as a replacement for man of the match Connelly.

Another fine line break from Hartland was taken on by Bailey, who was tackled just short before ruck ball was spun along the backs to give Towers a comfortable finish in the right-hand corner, and it ended 50-19.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Ross RFC suffered a 69-17 loss at Frampton Cottrell, but will look to bounce back at home to Bishopston this Saturday (March 8), while Newent host Cheltenham.