Newcastle (Staffs) RUFC

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Newcastle played their postponed game against Uttoxeter and achieved a bonus point win leaving Newcastle in third only 3 points behind Wolverhampton. Newcastle started well with Ollie Smalley scoring the first try after putting pressure on the Uttoxeter scrum half. Uttoxeter then had a period of pressure but a great counter attack and a try scoring pass from Christian Prince put Rich Sale into space, he then sprinted 50 yards to score. Dan Jones converted. Uttoxeter kept attacking but Newcastle’s defense was on top with some excellent tackling by the whole team. Strong defense led to a turnover and Sam Evans sprinting away to score another try. Half time and 17 v 0.

Both teams started the second half well with Uttoxeter scoring a try, followed by another Sam Evans try for Newcastle. A great break from Tom Martin led to a try for man of the match Liam Bailey and a nice chip from Tom Martin led to another try for Sam Evans. Uttoxeter never gave in and scored a try near the end to make the final score 32 to 10 to Newcastle.

Location – Away

Both teams started well with the defences on top. On the 20 minute mark Dan Jones took a quick free kick on the half way line and sprinted 50 metres to score.He converted his own try. Both teams continued to play well with fierce competition for the ball. Newcastle began to get the upper hand and Dan Jones again scored and converted from a quick free kick. Half time and 14 to nil.

The second half continued in the same vein with both packs working very hard. Nnewcastle began to achieve dominance and after several driving phases in the pack the ball was moved swiftly for Sam Evans to score in the corner.This was one of the best trys of the season. Newcastle continued to apply pressure and Dan Jones converted a penalty. With 5 minutes to go again after strong forward play a well executed backs move put Liam Bailey under the posts for a try which Dan Jones converted.

Wednesbury never gave up and scored a try close to the end of the game. Final score 29 to 5.

This was a very strong performance particularly from the pack, newcastle are now 3 points behind Wolves with a game in hand and are away at Wolves next week.

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Both teams started well with the defences on top. On the 20 minute mark Dan Jones took a quick free kick on the half way line and sprinted 50 metres to score.He converted his own try. Both teams continued to play well with fierce competition for the ball. Newcastle began to get the upper hand and Dan Jones again scored and converted from a quick free kick. Half time and 14 to nil.

The second half continued in the same vein with both packs working very hard. Nnewcastle began to achieve dominance and after several driving phases in the pack the ball was moved swiftly for Sam Evans to score in the corner.This was one of the best trys of the season. Newcastle continued to apply pressure and Dan Jones converted a penalty. With 5 minutes to go again after strong forward play a well executed backs move put Liam Bailey under the posts for a try which Dan Jones converted.

Wednesbury never gave up and scored a try close to the end of the game. Final score 29 to 5.

This was a very strong performance particularly from the pack, newcastle are now 3 points behind Wolves with a game in hand and are away at Wolves next week.

Location – Away

A view from the opposition

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/handsworthrugbyunionfootballclub/s/match-report-21847.html?official=1&fixture_id=294044

Location – Away

Newcastle were forced to make several changes due to injuries away at Handsworth. Handsworth started well, they were highly motivated and playing well. Unfortunately Newcastle were not at the races. Handsworth dominated the first half scoring 2 tris, 1 conversion and 1 penalty.

Handsworth scored two more tries to lead 25 to nil before Newcastle starting playing. Unfortunately all the back 3 suffered injuries which meant playing 2 forwards on the wings. Good pressure in the last 20 minutes saw a try for Rich Sale converted wide out by Dan Jones.A great break by Liam Bailey should have led to another try.

This was a very disappointing performance and Newcastle will need to raise their game for visit of Uttoxeter next week.

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Match report – link to Harborne’s website.

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/harbornerugbyfootballclub/s/match-report-19797.html?official=1&fixture_id=294036

Location – Home

Newcastle continued their good form with a comprehensive win over Harborne. Newcastle’s scrum was dominant and the lineout provided lots of good ball for the backs who attacked with style.

Newcastle scored 12 tries, Kev Edwards and Sam Evans scored 3 a piece, Josh Morris 2, Liam Bailey,Stuart Tait, Ash Martin and Dan Jones 1 each.Dan also converted 7 conversions and 1 penalty with Ant Edwards dropping a goal. Stuart Tait and James Staley were awarded jointly the man of the match award for their outstanding play.

Final score Newcastle 80 Harborne 19.

Location – Away

This was always going to be a hard fought derby between 2 in form teams. The first 20 minutes was very close with both defences on top. But then a long cut out pass from Ant Edwards gave his brother Kev some space to run in his own 22. He put on the burners and sidestepped the cover to score a try from 80 metres. Ecclehall responded with a penalty and then Ant Edwards put over a drop goal from 40 yards out. Half time and 8 v 3 to Newcastle.

In the second half the Newcastle forwards applied the pressure in the scrum, Josh Morris playing at no 8 broke left from an attacking scrummage and gave the scoring pass to Dan Jones. Half way through the second half Newcastle attacked the left hand side recycled the ball and moved it quickly to the right wing where captain Kev Edwards scored his second try. Both teams continued to play attacking rugby with 100% commitment. With 10 minutes to go Josh Morris picked up at no 8 and ran 60 metres to score. Eccleshall never gave up and Newcastle spent the last 10 minutes defending. 23 v 3 was the final score a great result from an impressive Newcastle side.

Next week Newcastle have a friendly with Leek at Newcastle who are third in the league above.

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Newcastle bounced back with 8 tries and a comprehensive win over second from bottom Cleobury Mortimer. Newcastle started strongly with tries from Sam Evans, Ash Martin and Chris Prince. Liam Bailey converted one of the tries. Newcastle were in charge at the scrum and lineout but Cleobury never gave up showing lots of spirit. It was not long before Sam Evans scored again and Kev Edwards had a very strong run for another try. Liam Bailey converted both tries. Half time 31 to 0.

The second half was closer with Cleobury scoring first with a converted try but Newcastle responded well with some strong forward drives and tries for Liam Bailey, Kieron Johnson and Dan Jones. Liam Bailey converted his own try.

A good performance which means Newcastle are 1 point behind leaders Veseyans. Next week Newcastle have a tough trip to fourth placed Eccleshall.

Location – Away

Newcastle travelled to Earlsdon who are leading their division with a perfect 6 out of 6 playing record, in the 3rd round of Senior Vase Cup. Newcastle needed to bounce back from the defeat against Veseyans and they did show an improved perfomance against a strong team. Newcastle made 5 changes mainly due to injuries. The game was a lot closer than the final score indicated and was not helped by a penalty count of 3 to 1 against Newcastle which led to 15 of Earlsdon’s points. Newcastle competed well and scored 3 tries, 2 from Sam Evans and one from Ash Martin. Dan Jones and Tom Martin converted a try each.

The Earlsdon coaches complimented the Newcastle team at the end saying Newcastle were the best team they had played all season.