Regional Two Midlands West

Newent RFC 46 Cheltenham 14

NEWENT RFC made club history at a rocking Rec on Saturday, clinching the league title with a bonus point victory over Cheltenham.

Victory mean the unbeaten Green Army will play at level five next season.

Skipper Ben Vincent set the tone with a rampaging carry from kick-off, sparking an attack which ended with the Tigers penalised for a high tackle on Tom Webb just outside their 22, the latter dusting himself down to kick the three-pointer.

A great break from inside-centre Will Hartland then saw Cheltenham penalised again. And with the lineout secured, good carries from Will Tanner and Jim Hartland led to Leo Oakey twisting out of tackles to cross under the posts.

Webb converted for 10-0 and then from the restart delivered a kick in behind the rush defence for flying left winger Adrian Connelly.

He was tackled short but got his pass away, and Nathan Brooks continued his scoring streak touching down in the left-hand corner for an unconverted try.

Another kick over the top from Webb, which he chased down, prompted Newent’s third try as Cheltenham infringed again, earning a yellow card for second-row Sam Hancock.

From the lineout and a couple of surges from the pack, Tom Woodman burrowed over, Webb adding the extras for 22-0.

With the first half into stoppage time, Newent then secured their bonus point with a fine try, a multi-phased attack ending with full-back Doug Long taking Will Hartland’s long pass in space on the left and gliding around to score behind the posts.

Webb slotted the easy conversion for 29-0, before the half ended with Newent defending their line after penalties gave Cheltenham an entry to their 22.

The successful defence came at the expense of a yellow card for James Marshall, leaving both sides a second-row light at the start of the second half.

They each lost a further player to yellow cards after the restart, briefly reducing the game to 13-a-side, but despite the extra space, the match became rather scrappy, and it was the end of the third quarter before another cohesive move.

From a lineout on the right, Newent’s backs created space for Jack Devries – on as a second-row replacement but lurking on the left-wing – to break a couple of tackles and finish well in the far corner.

From the restart, space appeared towards the right flank and Long raced into it before releasing right-wing Kyle Towers for a finish in the corner.

Despite Cheltenham’s pack being marched backwards, they then secured their ball on halfway and went through a few phases to carry to the 22, where a lapse of concentration allowed Omar Ly to touch down under the posts, with centre Curtis Neal drop-goaling the conversion.

Newent attacked from the restart but were penalised on Cheltenham’s 10m line.

And a quick tap and a long kick saw Ly show impressive pace to win the race by a fingertip and touch down for his second try, Neal converting to reduce the deficit to 39-14.

From a quick tap penalty in Cheltenham’s 22, several Newent players then handled to put Oakey in for a good finish in the right-hand corner.

Webb’s touchline conversion completed the scoring 46-14, with the final whistle sparking wild celebrations.

Elsewhere, Ross fought hard but lost 50-21 at home to Bishopston.