Warwickshire Colts RFU

The last time these two sides meet earlier in the season Newbold won very convincingly however buoyed by a very vocal local crowd Southam came within a whisker of winning a totally enthralling game.
With the pitch just taking a stud a very muddy affair developed but this did not reduce the quality of the play on offer. Southam started a quite a pace and had their visitors on ther back foot from the off with some very aggressive and passionate play. In the previous encounter Newbold’s older and stronger forwards dominated possession but it was Southam’s turn now. At the breakdown they were fully committed and their defence was superb throughout the game. Good scrummaging also allowed the half backs a better oppurtunity and from this pressure Southam were awarded a penalty but this was missed. Newbold against the run of play allowed Newbold in for a try which was converted however they had not anticipated Southam’s resolve and the ever threatening Sam Bench scored a superb individual try racing past 3 defenders to score a well deserved try. With the conversion missed another penalty oppurtunity feel to Nick Middleton who slotted it over but Southam’s indiscipline gave Newbold an easy penalty oppurtunity in front of the posts that let them go into the interval 10:8 up.
Making a number of changes at half time Southam’s rhythm in the first 10 minutes of the second half faltered a little and they had to soak up some incredible pressure on the own line but they held firm and did not allow the opposition to breech their line. The game continued at a very fast pace but another penalty to Newbold 10 minutes from the end just stretched their lead. Southam threw everything they could at Newbold who also defended well and it went right to the wire with a relieved Newbold side just holding out.
Another very close defeat for Southam but a great team performance yet again.

Report by Mark Harvey, Southam Colts