With yet another much changed side Holbrook travelled to new boys Newick hoping to exorcise the ghosts from last weeks performance and get their league campaign back on track. Starting strongly they were rewarded within 5 minutes when Fly half Alex Meredith slipped over from a quick tap penalty 10yds out. Conversion by James Brown. With most of the game being played in the Newick half it was unsurprising that a further try came after 20 mins when once again Alex Meredith benefited from a quick tap penalty which saw Darran shadbolt make good ground before setting up a ruck, the ball was passed out to Meredith, who, quickly changing the direction of attack, confused the defenders with his lack of pace to stroll over in the corner for his second try. A fine conversion from Brown put Holbrook into a good 14-0 lead and looking strong. Holbrook were begining to look strong and with George Heron performing well on his return from injury and Lee Taylor always looking for work they looked to be in a good position.

The rest of the half was to take place mostly in the Newick half, however, Holbrook lacked that final pass and precision to trouble the Newick line and several attacks petered out as balls were dropped or good tackles made.However, in almost their only visit to the Holbrook half, Newick scored just on half time to give them a mighty boost and dent Holbrook's confidence. Half time 7-14 to Holbrook.

Leading 14-0 with seconds to go to the end of the half, Holbrook could have been excused for feeling job well done, however, having clawed back 7 points on the stroke of half time and with the wind now at their backs Newick had other ideas and started the second half strongly. As is alarmingly becoming the pattern Holbrook started the half poorly, lacking concentration and intensity. Newick sensed an opportunity and increased their already considerable efforts to pressure Holbrook and force them into simple errors. Within 2 mins of the restart a penalty to Newick reduced the deficit to 10-14 and suddenly we had a new game.

Holbrook now started to look shaky and Newick seized on every mistake and pressured Holbrook at every opportunity. With Holbrook defending for long periods a penalty was soon awarded and Newick moved to within just one point at 13-14. Digging team and showing good team spirit Holbrook battled on and even began to gain some teritorial advantage, however, a combination of fine kicking by the Newick 10 and poor decision making by their ball carriers saw Holbrook retraeting time after time to their own 22.

With a couple of minutes left on the clock it did look as though Holbrook had scraped home, attacking well in the Newick 22 they again failed to be patient and concentrate on keeping hold of the ball, instead began seeking a winning score. Unfortunately this soon arrived as they gifted possesion to Newick allowing their 10 to kick into the Holbrook 22 for a line out, a loose clearance kick from the lineout followed by some pretty poor attempts at tackling saw Newick cross for a winning try and conversion 20-14.

An improved team perfromance from Holbrook who just lacked that final killer touch and a well deserved win for a Newick side that battled well throughout. Holbrook skipper Mark Devers was greatly disappointed after the game as well as frustrated by the constant changes neccessary in the team, as Holbrook continue to suffer from injuries and unavailabilities. On the plus side thsi does give us a chance to blood some of our promising youngsters and I am sure that this will be good for us in the long season.