Regional 2 Midlands West

Newent 48 Old Halesonians 7

NEWENT RFC 1st XV produced what coach Sam Goatley described as “their most complete all-round performance” to make it four bonus point wins out of four, reports SIMON BARKER.

But Old Halesonians brought a big pack and pacy backs to the first meeting between the clubs, and the Green Army had to be “mature” and “patient”.

Hales’ well-organised defence proved difficult to break down at first, and the only try of the first period arrived after 25 minutes, when Newent’s backs attacked from a lineout on the 10m line.

Will Hartland made the key break before finding the overlapping Doug Long with a deft pass for the full-back to finish in the right-hand corner.

Tom Webb’s conversion attempt missed, but he had already kicked two penalty goals, and added two more to make it 17-0 at half-time.

And after the restart, a Webb 50:22 created an attack and when Old Hales infringed in front of their posts he slotted his fifth penalty for 20-0.

Old Hales threatened briefly via two quickly taken tap penalties, but a knock on at the other end saw Newent win scrum ball and No 8 Ben Vincent breaking down the blindside, with his pass deliberately knocked on, resulting in a penalty try and a yellow card for the Hales wing.

The Green Army were also reduced to 14 men though when Vincent was soon yellow carded.

And the depleted hosts' pack were forced back by a Hales scrum, with No 8 Sam Herrington touching down for 27-7 with ten minutes left.

But Webb’s deep restart kick was then knocked on, and from the scrum his delayed pass then put in fly-half Nathan Brooks, the former converting for 34-7.

A try bonus point then arrived in the last minute, scrum ball and swift hands putting Doug Long in for another diving finish, Webb making it 41-7.

Adrian Connelly then almost immediately intercepted a pass on halfway and raced away to touch down, Webb adding the extras.

Elsewhere, Ross RFC commenced their Gloucester Counties Tribute 4 season with a narrow loss at Aretians in Bristol after a second half fightback, reports IAN PHILLIPS.

Ross lost full-back Tom Muldowney and centre Dan Pearson to injury in the first half, with Aretians scoring on 15 minutes following a series of rucks, before doubling their lead with a score in the corner and adding a third try with the last play of the half to lead 21-0.

Ross almost scored at the start of the second period, but the ref judged the pack to have knocked on going over.

But a drive from prop Luke Wards set up Keiran Terry to score and Thomas Mulhearn to convert to make it 21-7.

And second row Tom Derrick was then on hand to reach over under the posts, again converted by Mulhearn for 21-14.

Man of the match Chris Thoma at centre, next ran a great line to break through, but desperate defence stopped him and Aretians held on.

Newent visit Stratford on Saturday (October 12), while Ross, sponsored by HP Scaffolding, host Gordon League 2nds.