Match report by Frank Bowe

There was a lot riding on this match. Both teams were only too well aware that a win would put them int the semi-final and the possibility of playing at Twickenham in the final. The game was contested accordingly.

It was the home team who took the early initiative applying pressure in Royal Wootton Bassett territory and being awarded a penalty. Unfortunately, the kick went wide and RWB took the opportunity to clear their line. It was not long before the home team was on the attack again, at the first scrum the Strong Newent front row of Woodman, Tanner and Mason asserted their authority pushing the opposition pack backwards and being awarded a penalty for their efforts. From the resulting field position Newent applied more pressure and were awarded another penalty for a high tackle, something which the matchday referee was very hot on and pinged both teams several times. From a line-out about eight metres from the line, the home pack caught and drove to great effect and it was Jack Devries who touched down for the first try of the game, unfortunately the kick again went wide.

If the try was good news for the home team, the next passage of play proved to be bad. After defending a strong attack from RWB, one of Newent’s most influential players, Ben Vincent limped from the field with a knee injury. Veteran lock, Phil Middlemiss was asked to enter the fray far sooner than he expected.

It became obvious that Newent would dominate the scrums throughout but the visitors were equally dominant at the rucks, which they approached with speed and aggression. RWB protected their own possession very well and managed to steal the ball from Newent on several occasions.

Throughout the half, both teams played running rugby and, despite determined defending made good ground with the ball in hand, providing good entertainment for the assembled supporters. It was the home team who were to put points on the board again. Another scrum penalty resulted in good field position as the ball was thrown across the field, RWB were a match for the slick handling and repelled several attacks but it was another high tackle which resulted in an eminently kickable penalty from which Tom Webb gratefully bisected the uprights. Score 8-0.

RWB were next onto the attack and at one potential break, an uncharacteristic trip, from scrum half Jacob Ivell saw him leave the field having been shown a yellow card. RWB took a quick tap and shipping the ball wide to winger Mike Clifton who touched down in the corner. The conversion was unsuccessful. Score 8-5.

Newent retaliated in style, a good run from Dan Fletcher, this week playing in centre as opposed to wing where he has been plying his trade of late, took the ball close to the visitor’s line and an infringement at the ruck presented Newent with the opportunity of an easy three points. The kick was turned down however, Webb taking a quick tap, it was Fletcher once again who took his chance to crash over the line and score just to the left of the posts. A yellow card was shown to a RWB player for an infringement at the ruck, Webb made no mistake with the conversion. Half time score 15-5.

As the match entered the second period it seemed like neither team wanted to give anything away, strong defences thwarting the best efforts of attempted attacks. It was the visitors who were to strike first however as some slick handling and a miss pass to winger Clifton saw him cross the line in the corner once again. The difficult conversion was successful and the points difference was closed. Score 15-13.

Newent gained territorial position but lost possession of theball, it was Clifton who struck again, from his own half. Breaking four tackles en-route to a touch-down in the right-hand corner and a try which put RWB into the lead for the first time in the match. Score 15-19.

Clifton struck again, seemingly breaking tackles at will, he was pulled down short of the line but with the home defence well and truly stretched, centre, Scott Douglas took advantage to score near the posts giving fly half Sam Baker a straight forward conversion. Score 15-26.

With their tails well and truly up, the visitors were playing with confidence now as Baker found himself in space, with the ball, he did what he has apparently been doing all seasonand dropped a goal from 35 metres. Score 15-29.

All credit to Newent, the home team did not lie down. Back on the offensive, they were awarded another scrum penalty, a quick tap was taken and, player coach, Will Tanner, scored close to the posts. Webb converted. Score 22-29.

Another yellow card was shown to a RWB player for a high tackle which put Newent, with the numerical advantage, in an interesting position. With a few minutes remaining on the clock, if they could score another try, it would give them a loser’s bonus point as well as a four try bonus point, which despite the match result, would take them through into the semi-final. This was not to be however, as the referee blew his final whistle, it was the visitors who needed to think about travel arrangements to Southend for next week’s semi-final.

It could be argued that last week’s victory was due to successful kicking and this week’s defeat was due to missed tackling. It has to be said however that the visitor’s Mike Clifton was by far the best winger we have seen at the Rec this season. Being big, powerful and fast he was a difficult man to tackle and probably made the difference between the two teams.

An after-match comment from backs coach Sam Goatley, saidthat despite the result, he was extremely proud of the way Newent played. He was impressed with the levels of skill, the effort and the overall performance.

From a supporter’s point of view, I guess we were also disappointed with the outcome but we certainly couldn’t complain about a lack of entertainment. It was particularly pleasing to see a good round of applause for stalwart Matt Henry who having led his team out was to leave his home pitch for the final time five minutes from the end of the match.

As the curtain comes down on the Rec for another season, I think we should all give our thanks to the small-town team who continue to punch well above their weight. Credit also goes to The Club officials who make the whole thing possible.