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U10's : Graham's Match Reports!
Sunday 30th March
LEDBURY 15 NEWENT 5
Newent were subjected to tremendous pressure from the outset, and only improved rucking
and mauling, backed up by tenacious tackling, kept them in the game. Ledbury, however, eventually took the lead just before
half-time.
In the second half, they stretched the lead
further before TOM WEBB nipped over to reduce the deficit. Ledbury responded with another try and managed to hold out until
the final whistle with Newent constantly pressing.
LEDBURY
5 NEWENT 20
This result shook Ledbury to the core. Both sides took the opportunity to rotate their personnel but Newent
with their limited resources had to rely on most of their first match squad.
A strong forward drive saw MARCUS BALLINGER give Newent the lead and this was added
to by TOM WEBB before Ledbury hit back with a try of their own.TOM WEBB stretched the lead still further and the icing on
the cake was provided by a storming run from REECE BROWN-WILLIAMS who dived over to great applause.
Sunday 23rd March
NEWENT 0
MATSON 10
The full might of Matson came for revenge for their defeat
by Newent earlier in the season. Despite considerable physical advantage, Matson had to contend with the "DO OR DIE" spitit
of the Newent side and only a blind side break by their scrum half gave them a half-time lead.
In the second half Matson's pack power coupled with good handling skills kept them in
the ascendancy, but a dogged home side restricted them to just one more score.
COUNTY CUP RUGBY FESTIVAL
NEWLANDS
PARK
CHELTENHAM
Newent U10's can be proud of their performances in the County Cup.
Although
the results went against them, there were plenty of positives to bolster confidence for the future. Lets make no mistake,
with thirty teams taking part, our boys were facing the cream of their age group. To be without SEB VENN & MARCUS BALLINGER
proved to be crucial.
CHELTENHAM "A" 15 NEWENT 10
Newent fell behind
immediately but, showing great heart under the leadership of JAMES LOVERIDGE, they rallied to dominate the rest of the half.
In the second half, Newent stormed onto the offensive, and were rewarded when MATT ANDERSON powered over.
Cheltenham,
however, were dangerous on the counter attack and caught Newent napping with two more tries before TOM WEBB reduced the deficit.
PAINSWICK
15 NEWENT 0
Painswick oozed class in all departments, much to the delight of their coach
DEREK MORGAN, a Gloucester winger of yesteryear.
CHIPPING SODBURY 5 NEWENT 20
This
game sums up the spirit which runs through the team. From the outset Newent stormed onto the attack with RICHARD SAMUEL producing
a dynamic run the length of the pitch to touch down. Almost immediately SHANE BROWN added to the opposition's woe with
another brilliant run from his own half. MATT ANDERSON rubbed salt into the wounds with two typical tries before half time.
In the second half Chipping Sodbury rallied to open their own account but Newent kept their stranglehold to
close out the match on top.
CINDERFORD 15 NEWENT 5
In their
final tussle Newent's small squad fought doggedly against a streetwise Cinderford side. Although generally outgunned Newent
had just reward for their efforts when RICHARD SAMUEL again showed his class with an individual score which took him the length
of the pitch.
Sunday 20 January 2008 NEWENT 25 DRYBROOK 5
An
immense team effort coupled with a plethora of individual brilliance secured Newent a fine victory over a courageous Drybrook
side.
In the early stages Newent's powerful forwards took the game to the visitors
and with two strikes in succession against the head, HOOKER JAMES LOVERIDGE, gave his SCRUM-HALF JAMES GOUGH the opportunity
to open the scoring from close range.
Drybrook launched a dangerous attack
from the ensuing kick-off but LOVERIDGE ripped the ball from a maul and off-loaded to PROP MATT ANDERSON whose bullocking
run presented JAMES GOUGH with the chance to score his second try. In response, Drybrook showed their class with a series
of promising attacks but Newent's cover tackling, inspired by CAPTAIN SEB VENN, kept them at bay. Newent hit back through
flying WINGER RICHARD SAMUEL who sprinted the length of the field for a brilliant try. Just before half-time Drybrook
secured a try following a well constructed move.
In the second half, the home
side's backs turned the screw still further with SEBASTIAN VENN, ALEXANDER SMITH and SHANE BROWN all involved
in damaging runs. A ruck on the Drybrook line saw the ever alert JAMES LOVERIDGE dive over to increase the lead still further.
Newent wrapped up the match with a fifth try from MARCUS BALLINGER who got just reward for a talented debut.
MATSON U10's 5
NEWENT U10's 20
On a quagmire pitch
and in driving rain, Newent produced a dynamic display brimful of pride and tenacity.
In the early
stages a well-drilled Matson side rocked their visitors back on their heels with a series of dangerous attacks which saw them
take the lead with a beautifully executed try.
Newent were on the rack territorily but a tremendous charge by their prop MATT ANDERSON was
only halted just short of the try-line and gave Newent hope of better things to come!
In
the second half Newent's game was ignited by a brilliant side-stepping run from their Captain SEB VENN who unbelievably
eluded all the Matson cover to level the scores. This heralded a period of sustained pressure by the visitors with JAMES LOVERIDGE
and SHANE BROWN in the thick of the forward battle enabling their talented backs to come into their own. Wingers RICHARD SAMUEL
and DAN GEORGE produced several telling runs but it was left to centre TOM WEBB to pounce on a defensive error to give Newent
the lead. Matson responded furiously but brave tackling from the Town side kept them at bay until scrum half JAMES GOUGH showed
his class with a run which sliced open the Matson defence for a great try. Just before the final whistle, GOUGH struck again
to give Newent a thoroughly deserved victory.
SUNDAY 19th November NEWENT U10s v HEREFORD Away
NEWENT 15 HEREFORD 5
In
a rousing battle played in gluepot conditions, Newent dominated their hosts with a stellar display of teamwork and brilliant
individuality.
The early stages
saw Hereford mounting a series of dangerous attacks from their own half, but Newent's blanket defence held firm and from turnover
ball, HOOKER JAMES LOVERIDGE, showed his power with a thrusting run which resulted in DAN GEORGE crashing over for the first
score. This lit the blue touchpaper and a charge from SCRUM-HALF JAMES GOUGH was only snuffed out just short of the line by
some desperate defence. The ensuing lineout saw the burgeoning understanding between JAMES LOVERIDGE and MATT ANDERSON result
in a typical try for the powerful PROP.
Newent's
CENTRES SEB VENN and TOM WEBB were a constant threat in attack as well as tackling anything that moved. They were well supported
by rampaging runs from SHANE BROWN and the side-stepping of RICHARD SAMUEL.
In the second half Newent increased their lead still further when CAPTAIN SEB VENN danced his way down the touchline
to unselfishly offload to ALEX SMITH who outpaced the cover to touch down.
The well coached and experienced Hereford side would not be entirely outdone however, and managed a try of their own
before the final whistle.
NEWENT 20 HEREFORD 5
In the second match, Newent maintained their supremacy with cousins SEB VENN and TOM WEBB running amok. Time after
time they sliced through Hereford's defences. WEBB opened the scoring followed by VENN to give Newent a comfortable lead.
Two more tries between the DYNAMIC DUO put the visitors in an impenetrable position before Hereford scored a consolation
try in the dying moments of play.
A special mention should be made of RHYS BROWN-WILLIAMS who showed vast improvement and nearly scored twice,
and also ALEXANDER GRAY who made his debut. Other members of the squad to shine were JOSH BURNS, ADAM COLLIER and DAN SMITH.
SUNDAY 27th October NEWENT U10's 25 - LEDBURY U10's 30
Newent's small squad showed
tremendous tenacity in the face of a determined and talented Ledbury side.
In the early exchanges, Newent held territorial advantage and after only 5 minutes prop forward
MATT ANDERSON was driven over from close range.Newent pressed home their advantage when the forwards released the ball to
TOM WEBB who sliced through the opposition's defence to touch down. Ledbury responded with a number of dangerous attacks which
led to a try of their own but Newent hit back. An attack launched by captain SEB VENN and TOM WEBB died yards short of the
line, but hooker, JAMES LOVERIDGE won the ensuing ruck and spinning out of tackles, forced his way over for a great try.
Undeterred, the visitors reduced the defecit yet again and just before the whistle, levelled matters.
As the game progressed, Newent's undoubted individual talent came to the fore with SHANE BROWN, RICHARD
SAMUEL and JAMES GOUGH all launching powerful runs.
MATT ANDERSON put Newent into the lead yet again with the type of try that is becoming his "TRADEMARK".
A devestating tackle by scrum-half JAMES GOUGH gave the ever alert SEB VENN the opening to pounce and side-step his way over
the whitewash.
As the game moved into it's final quarter, the rotation policy of Ledbury's larger squad began to
take effect, and as Newent tired, Ledbury gained the ascendancy, eventually clinching the match just before the final whistle.
Sunday 21 October 2007 Drybrook v Newent
In a fierce but sporting contest, Newent U 10's defeated Drybrook 5-0 in the first match. Newent
totally dominated matters in the early exchanges with forwards JAMES LOVERIDGE, MATT ANDERSON and SHANE BROWN rucking to great
effect.This led to MATT ANDERSON driving over for a fine try. The explosive running of captain SEB VENN and TOM WEBB in the
backs, tested Drybrook's defence to the limit. In the second half , however, Drybrook hit back and it needed strong tackling
from Newent to keep them at bay.
In the second match Drybrook turned the tables on Newent to
win 10-5. Both teams showed great skills with the tackling of Newent's JAMES GOUGH outstanding. Trailing by two scores, Newent
were far from dismayed and following a succession of tap penalties, were rewarded when TOM WEBB darted over for a try. An
excellent REFEREE congratulated Newent on their contribution to a memorable contest.
Sunday 24th September 2007
Newent 30 Chosen Hill 0
Newent 15 Chosen Hill 15
Newent under 10's got off to a fabulous start with a fantastic display of teamwork in a pre season
friendly against Chosen Hill on Sunday.
After only 5 minutes play a bullocking run by prop forward MATT ANDERSON culminated in the first try
of the match. This was quickly followed by two more tries from the mercurial JOSH BURNS, and an explosive individual effort
from the Captain SEBASTIAN VENN.
In the second half MATT ANDERSON and ALEX SMITH added further tries to seal a comprehensive victory.
In the second match Chosen Hill came out fighting with a try straight from the kick-off, but their lead
was short-lived when hooker JAMES LOVERIDGE used his strength to drive over from close range.
Chosen Hill hit back to lead again but this was nullified when MATT ANDERSON crashed through the visitors
defence. JOSH BURNS added a further try for the home side following a darting run, but Chosen Hill equalised once more just
before the final whistle.
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