Ledbury RFC put up impressive fight despite defeat at Newent

The away side’s performance provided their fans with some worthy consolation after managing three tries against a high-flying unbeaten side.

From the outset Newent were pressing inside the Ledbury 22 but the defence held firm, before Jack Hughes manoeuvred a deft intercept and ran the length of the pitch to score and convert at the Newent end (0-7).

The try was an early jolt for the favourites who retaliated swiftly to make it (7-7) within the first 15 minutes.

Iolo Bubb attempted a sneaky pick and go with Jock Welch in support before a Newent scrum released their backs to run the length and score out wide (12-7), closely followed by another from a well worked maul and a quick ball down the line to make it (19-7).

Ledbury’s drop out did not go 10 and Newent seized the opportunity to soon make it (24-7).

Beginning to enjoy their dominance the Newent backline again pierced the Ledbury defence for another try out wide (31-7).

Emboldened with their performance prior to the break Ledbury came out with strong intent, exerting pressure through Zak Bonfield, Jamie Rayfield and Tom Manning before Jack Hughes nudged a little grubber through and Newent started to infringe.

Bubb then placed an excellent penalty kick on the five-metre line following a deliberate knock on, Charlie Barber-Starkey caught cleanly and from the rolling maul Jock Welch grounded and Jack Hughes converted (31-14).

Tails up and, from a solid scrum, Ledbury were in once more from a break blindside by Hughes to score out wide (31-19).

Newent realised that Ledbury were not just going to roll over and immediately turned on the afterburners as their well drilled speedy backline clicked into top gear, always seeming to have an extra man outside to make it (38-19).

Ledbury were caught napping at the restart as Newent drove and were in for another try all too easily (45-19).

A tiring Ledbury could not contend with the Newent back line who ran rings left and right before notching up another try (50-19).

Ledbury’s late goal was to secure a losing bonus by scoring a fourth try but despite numerous penalties against Newent for crossing, high tackles and scrum infringements inside their 22 Ledbury could not quite manage to pick the lock despite the efforts of Tom Assal and Ben Mason as they ran out of time and space.

Ledbury have a home derby against Malvern on March 8 following the VP lunch sponsored by Westons Cider and Cleftbridge Ltd.