RUGBY: Leaders Newbold hosting Paviors on Saturday

Newbold host Paviors RFC at Parkfield Road this Saturday, and it’s also Vice Presidents Day.

This VPs Day is the last in the tenure of Alan ‘Bish’ Bale. Newbold have kept Bish’s post vacant for the remainder of his two year appointment, following his passing just over a year ago, writes Sean O’Brien.

Bish was prominent in creating what Newbold currently are. With six games to go, Newbold are sitting at the top of the table ten points clear.

Kettering though, in second place, are going along very strongly and picking up bonus point wins most weeks - and Newbold have to visit Kettering on the final game of the season.

Newbold are adamant that they’ll take one step at a time and just see where they end up.

Step One is beating a tricky Paviors side that held them to a 31-31 draw earlier in the season. Steps Two to Six include a couple of real banana-skin fixtures that will not be taken lightly.

“If we complete the mission Newbold RFC will be at Level 5 playing National League Rugby, that will not only be great for us but great for the town of Rugby,” said Chairman Paul ‘Fez’ Fereday.

The coaching team of Phil Reed and Matt Davies has, over the last four seasons, built a squad that plays some of best rugby seen at Parkfield Road.

There is that classic blend of youth and experience in the First XV.

The products of the Youth Section have been ‘given their wings’ and under the guidance of the likes of the most senior players Phil Reed, Lloyd Warner and Danny Facer, they fit seamlessly into the Newbold system and flourish.

The Second and Third XV’s are also on top of their respective leagues, and are a huge part of the Newbold story.

This is where the future first teamers, club-men, has-beens, never-have-beens and never-will-be’s, ply their trade and enjoy their sport and of course the ‘after-match’.

The Colts are the production line, and have provided at least half of this season’s regular first XV. The minis and juniors – created by Bish himself – will, in turn, be the production line for the Colts. A successful ladies team provides the full set.

A vital ingredient of Newbold’s successes over the last few seasons is the touchline support. The players enjoy the support and absolutely respond to it.

Lloyd Warner said as much after the ON’s game, expressing that the travelling support of the 100 or so ex-players, families, friends and rugby fans, really helped to get them through an exhausting second half.

Touchline support this week, kick-off 3pm, following the VP’s Luncheon (we have 150 attending), will be loud and cheerful.

The older ex-players will tell the younger ex-players (again) about how they beat Orrell, Berry Hill and Rugby Lions in the past, and they’ll all then venture outside and offer their support to the boys in red and black, for what is an important and difficult match.