RUGBY: Late try snatches win but Newbold pick up losing bonus point

Midland 1 West

Whitchurch 24 Newbold on Avon 21

Newbold, still trying to find the right combination, shuffled the pack once again with a new half-back pairing of Ethan Wookey at fly half and Reiss Boom at scrum half, writes Phil Fereday.

Ed Scott also returning in the centre was to make an immediate impact by stiffening up the central defence.

The match was played with an ever-increasing strong wind of Storm Ciara blowing down the length of the pitch, making life difficult.

But both teams adapted well in the conditions - in comparison to the Murrayfield international.

The Bold had first use of the elements and after 15 minutes of play were six points in front from two Dan O’Brien penalties.

Newbold’s next score came after 25 minutes from a superb interception by the ever-improving James McGill, who ran 80 metres to touch down.

This was converted by Dan O’Brien for a lead of 0-13.

That was the final score of the first half and the pundits on the side line did not think 13 points were going to be enough with the wind getting stronger by the minute.

The second half started and the home side soon showed their intention with wind-assisted kicks deep into Newbold’s half .

After 50 minutes of play they had scored two converted tries making the score 14-13 and it was looking like the floodgates had opened and the Bold needed to stem the flow.

Stem the flow they did though, with some strong ball carrying and hard-hitting tackles in defence, with the Bold back row of Dixon, Furlong and Thompson once again leading the way.

Newbold managed to turn the tide and regained the lead with a Dan O’Brien penalty, converted into the now gale-force wind for 14-16.

The Bold defence held out until they conceded a penalty in the 78th minute to make it 17-16 to the home side.

The game was now in injury time and Newbold were throwing everything into attack, but a speculative pass went loose on the half way line for the home side to kick through and break away to score a converted try and lead 24-16.

This Newbold side were still not finished and, determined to come away with something, regained possession straight from the kick off.

The ball was fed out to Ethan Wookey, who made an outside break and ran in a great try from 35 metres out, going over in the corner, which although it was not converted by the last kick of the match made it 24-21 and the Bold had salvaged a losing bonus point.

This weekend Droitwich are the visitors to Parkfield Road for a 2.15pm kick-off. The y are 13th in the division, with just five wins from their 14 games so far.

Newbold are in eighth spot with 46 points from their eight wins.