Newport HSOB RFC

After several postponements the long awaited clash with Pill Harriers took place. A Guard of Honour from the Under 9s welcomed the players onto the pitch in what promised to be tough match.

Pill kicked off and immediately put the pressure on the Old Boys whose defence was determined and held out the onslaught. Though the Old Boys constantly pushed Pill back to the halfway the pressure remained and after 15 minutes Pill managed to drive all the way to the Old Boys’ try line. Pill attacked with drive after drive but to no avail. Awarded a 5 metre scrum Pill countered an Old Boys drive for their No.8 to pick up but he was quickly hauled down and the Old Boys’ were awarded a penalty and cleared their line.

Pill continued to attack with powerful drives from their forwards and quick hands and feet from their backs but each time the Old Boys were able to close them down and counter attack. The game continued like this until the 24th minute when the Old Boys’ aggressive defence was penalised. The referee was quick to go to his pocket and Old Boys “Kav” Kavanagh was shown a yellow card for “not releasing in the tackled player”. Pill were immediately able to use their advantage and surged forward. Pill’s backs took them into the Old Boys’ 22 where their forwards took control and drove to the line to set up a close range try which was converted.

This set back seemed to spur on the Old Boys and not only stopped Pill’s attacks which powerful hits but despite being a man down put together some threatening attacks. As halftime neared the Old Boys set up another attack and took the game into Pill’s 22. Pill’s second row found himself offside at a ruck and the referee, showing some consistency, produced another yellow card. The Old Boys put the ball into the corner and from the line out set up a driving maul. Breaking from a secondary maul Alan “Chucky” Norris dived over for the try. With Will Edwards converting the scores were level. Pill immediately had a chance to take the lead again but put a long range penalty well wide before the referee blew for half time was with score at 7-7.

The second half began in much the same fashion as the first had finished with both teams battling it in midfield. The Old Boys and Pill were able to mount several attacks but unforced errors more often than not brought an end to each opportunity. On one occasion Pill seemed to have broken through the Old Boys defences but a fine covering tackle by Rhys Williams sealed the gap and ended that move. However another attack took Pill deep into the Old Boys’ 22 and from a ruck quick ball was passed along the line creating an overlap for Pill’s right wing to cross the line. The try was converted giving Pill a 14-7 lead.

The Old Boys came back immediately and made several surges into Pill’s 22. On one such occasion the move was brought to a halt when Pill’s scrum half made an early tackle quickly followed by the referee flourishing the yellow card again. Though Pill survived the ensuing penalty another charge from the Old Boys’ forwards took them back into the 22. The Old Boys’ backs got the ball and quickly spread it left for wing Rhys Williams to run onto the pass from a deep position and go over in the corner.

Though the conversion was missed the Old Boys’ confidence grew and a quick penalty from halfway found Will Edwards and Mark Bale outnumbering the Pill fullback. Edwards managed to draw him into the tackle and offloaded to Bale who ran in for the Old Boys’ third try. Edwards added the conversion. Overflowing with confidence both the Old Boys’ backs and forwards ran at the Pill defence making several breaks and setting up opportunities that failed due to desperate defending by Pill. With 15 minutes to go the Old Boys were awarded a penalty just inside Pill’s half. Will Edwards stepped up and put the Old Boys two scores ahead 22-14.

Pill were not going to give in easily and in the last 10 minutes threw everything at the Old Boys who in defence now showed the same confidence as they had in attack. However the referee was to have the final say in the match and again showed yellow card to Old Boy Chris Pugh. Pill opted for the scrum but a fumble near the line allowed the Old Boys to scramble a clearance. From the line out that followed Pill set up a driving maul which took them to the 22. Swift ball from the maul and sharp, crisp passing along the back gave Pill’s left wing enough space to go over in the corner. Despite the successful conversion the Old Boys held out for a well deserved 22-21 victory.