RUGBY: Good bonus-point win for Newbold at Old Halesonians

Midlands 1 West

Old Halesonians 13 Newbold on Avon 24

Newbold travelled to Halesonians for the first match of the New Year with a good crowd of travelling supporters, who were looking to them to continue with their winning ways, writes Phil Fereday.

They were not to be disappointed as the Bold started the match with two tries in the first five minutes of the game, both coming from good handling moves.

The first saw Manny Sidhu diving over in the corner for a try, converted by Dan O’Brien, this being quickly followed by O’Brien touching down in the opposite corner, although this one he didn’t manage to convert, so 0-12 .

The Bold continued to put the home side line under pressure for long periods but it was Halesonians who were to score next with a quickly taken penalty allowing a unconverted try in the corner 5-12 after 15 minutes.

Newbold were soon back on attack with the forwards making good yards through Rudi Reid and the ever-improving Ben Hartwell.

From a close in lineout they drove over to score in the corner with a smiling Stu Houghton emerging with the ball to claim the score, 5-17 after 25 minutes. The final score of the half was a penalty by the home side.

The second half was a much more evenly contested affair with the home side putting Newbold’s defence under pressure and they finally managed to break through to score an unconverted try in the corner 13-17 after an hour.

It was Newbold who finished the game as they started on top with a break from their outstanding forward Rudi Reid. The ball found its way to O’Brien to touch down for his second try, which he converted for a well-deserved bonus point away win.

This weekend Stoke on Trent are the visitors to Parkfield Road.