RUGBY: Exciting finish as Newbold beat Stourbridge by a point

Midlands 1 West

Stourbridge Lions 32 Newbold on Avon 33

Newbold knew they had to be at their best on Stourbridge’s 4G pitch, writes Phil Fereday.

Reiss Boon with ball for Newbold, with Duzza Ziba and Stu Houghton close by

Showing their intent, with the forwards driving towards the home side line, they won a penalty after three minutes and Dan O’Brien converted.

Straight from the restart Newbold made ground and quickly transferred the ball along the back line out to winger Manny Sidhu to speed over and touch down in the corner.

The next score came after prolonged pressure by way of an O’Brien penalty for am 11-0 lead.

The hosts started to come more into the game and after brief spell in Newbold’s half scored in the corner.

Try scorer Kyle Furlong is tackled with Reiss Boon in support

Newbold hit straight back with another O’Brien penalty, but a converted try just on half time for Stourbridge made it 12-14.

Stourbridge began the second half strongly but solid defence meant all they had to show for this was a penalty kick, 15-14.

Once again Newbold rallied and skipper Ben Thompson’s try, converted by Dan O’Brien made it 15-21. The game now had completely opened up on this fast playing surface and the home side scored a converted try to lead 22-21.

Piling on the pressure a penalty extended it to 25-21.

Stourbridge tackle Josh Cooke, with Manny Sidhu and Sam Thompson

Newbold once again hit back and from a five-metre lineout taken by Tom Dixon drove the home side back over the line for Stu Houghton to score in the corner. O’Brien’s extras brought it to 25-28.

Newbold were not finished and soon scored again after a series of pick and drives. Kyle Furlong dived over for 25-33.

Now deep into injury time Stourbridge from a kick and chase scored a try which was converted with the last kick of the match and ended a somewhat breathless half of rugby and a 32-33 victory to Newbold.