RUGBY UNION: THE GAP between Midlands 1 East leaders Newbold and second-placed Old Northamptonians remains four points after Newbold picked up their 14th victory of the season at Melton Mowbray.
Dan O’Brien’s clearance to the half way line led to a Newbold scrum from which a superb driving maul and quick ball along the back line led to Ed Scott crossing the line for the opening score but O’Brien narrowly missing the conversion.
The restart led to an off side infringement which the Melton No 10 slotted over before both sides tried to gain an advantage.
O’Brien extended Newbold’s lead further before the home side scored a neat drop goal to keep them within touching distance and they took a 9-8 through a penalty following a deliberate Newbold knock on.
Dawes took the kick off and made good ground through Danny Facer and Ben Nutall. A deliberate knock on inside the home side’s 22 looked an easy three point option, however after opting for touch, Dixon majestically secured the lineout and the well rehearsed drive allowed Facer to claim the five points, with O’Brien adding the extras to put the visitors 9-15 in front.
Newbold’s kick off led to an immediate siege on the homes side’s goal line, with the line begging a knock on prevented the ball crossing the line.
The scrums in the first half had been almost equal, but as the game moved into the second half Newbold were beginning to show their dominance.
A repeated forward flurry paid dividends as Newbold finally crossed the line with Facer claiming his second, O’Brien adding a touchline conversion increasing the score to 9-22.
Newbold received the kick off and Dawes again charged forward making a good 40 yards, offloading to subs Mark Hyde and Sam Thompson finishing, by crossing the line, O’Brien’s boot doing the rest.
Melton refused to accept defeat running the backs forward Hyde prominent in halting the move. They won a scrum on Newbold’s 22 and although shunted back they came away with the ball, the visitors failing to stop the early running producing a well taken try scored wide out, unconverted.
Newbold finished the game on a high, securing a scrum on the opposition 22, an almighty shunt a blind break to Warner and Scott added his second try, the kick narrowly short.
A hard earned victory against a strong scrummaging side, this victory keeps Newbold at the top of the table, ahead of Saturday’s fixture away at Wellingborough.
