Rugby Union
Newbold produce signs of hope

Earlsdon 23 Newbold 12

Midlands Two West (South)

NEWBOLD produced a much improved display at Earlsdon but it was not enough to see them break their five-match losing run.

It was another unfamiliar line-up that made the short journey to Coventry but Lloyd Warner ensured that Newbold started strongly when his powerful run into the 22 should have been rewarded with a try but in trying to off-load the ball was lost and the chance squandered.

Earlsdon proved more clinical when they ventured forward and made the most of a big gap in Newbold’s defence to score a converted try but despite that there was a noticeable difference amongst the visitors from the previous few games as the scrum showed great strength, the line-out was much improved and the attitude of the players more like the one seen at the start of the season.

The improvements provided a platform for skipper Facer to exploit space with a strong drive before combining with Declan George and Phil Read for the latter to go in under the posts and give Warner a simple conversion which levelled the scores.

Earlsdon quickly got their noses back in front with a penalty and a second followed shortly before the interval to give them a six-point cushion.

Reed and George worked well together as the makeshift 10 took play into the Earlsdon 22 with another probing kick.

After Newbold’s drive was held up on the line, Facer picked up from the ensuing scrum and drove over to close the gap to 13-12.

Earlsdon gave themselves some breathing space with a drop goal before adding a late converted try to put the outcome beyond doubt.

Newbold will hope for further improvement when they travel to Shipston on Saturday.

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