A Blues win – only just but still… !

The Newbury Blues faced Guildford at home at Monks Lane on Saturday and, with both sides having struggled this season and needing a change of fortunes, the Blues took the win 23:20.

Both sides were very clear how important the match was, with Newbury third from bottom of the league and Guildford second from bottom.  Guildford set off with purpose and, just two minutes in, took the first points, with a super try.  Making clear they meant business, Guildford scored another try after eight minutes, this time converted, to add another seven points.

The Blues weren’t flustered but weren’t, for a while, doing much about it.  But Captain Dan Thorne rose to the occasion and scored a lovely try, which he also converted, 14 minutes in.

Another try each (which the Blues converted again) three-quarters through the first half, settled to a tie at half time when Dan Thorne took 3 penalty points and the teams went in at the break 17:17.

The second half was an inconclusive “to and fro” for most of the time.  Both sides were good.  Neither could find a way to push through and dominate.  The Blues missed a penalty and then both teams scored a penalty, standing at 20:20 with ten minutes to go.

Then the breakthrough.  The crucial 3 points from another Dan Thorne penalty to push the Blues just enough ahead.  Fans endured the worst possible final 10 minutes, with a Blues player sent into the sin bin with Guildford in the ascendant, in the final, final minutes.  The Blues hung on and, at last!, the final whistle came to preserve the Blues’ win 23:20.

The Blues are at home again next week to Chobham, kick off at 2.30pm.  Come on you Blues!

Photo by kind permission of Newbury RFC