NEWBOLD-on-Avon continued their build-up to the 205/16 season with a resounding 73-21 victory in Staffordshire when they took on Newcastle Under Lyme in a pre-season fixture.
Ben Thompson captained the side in Dan Facer’s absence through illness and it was the visitors who started well by taking the lead when a quick penalty by the posts saw Phil Reed score the first of 11 tries with Josh Andrews adding the extras from the conversion.
The visitors took control in all areas and created a number of chances before scrum half skipped over for try number two with Andrews making it 14-0.
Ben Dawes set up the next attack by catching the ball high from kick off and forcing his way through the middle before allowing Stuey Houghton to set up Joss Andrews to score a third and he made no mistake from the conversion.
There was an initial scare for Newbold when James McGill went down clutching his ankle but he looked to have just rolled it and was replace by debutant Jon Bean as a precaution.
It was Bean who supported both Ben Thompson and Pails as Ben took a return pass to score the next to improve the score to 26-0 and by this point the visitors were in top gear.
KJ Henry burst through again and as his team won the ball against the head, Henry picked the ball up and scored his first try of the match with Andrews taking the total to 33.
The hosts had rarely threatened during the first half but they did manage to score to make it 33-7 but Dawes set up Shaun Pollared score score before the break.
Connor Gallagher, Eddie Allen and Simon Smith took the field as Newbold rang the changes at half-time but Newcastle showed courage as the responded with a try from close range to make it 14-40.
But normal service was resumed when Sam Thompson picked up from the back to score and Simon Smith’s catch and driver led to Warner powering through to score with Wookey adding two points for 14-52.
Wookey then ghosted through to score himself before a Newcastle kick landed straight into the arms of Simon Smith who crossed for try number ten with Wookey adding the extras.
The final try was scored by Dawes and Wookey improved it for 14-73. Newcastle scored a consolation try right at the end for 21-73 but that did not overshadow a convincing victory for Newbold who face Ilkeston in the league this Saturday.
