Points shared; Blues credibility re-established
Newbury Blues shared the points with North Dorset in a good, physical match where the result was about right.
Two lively and committed teams made a good start. The Blues put the first points on the board after 9 minutes with a Dan Thorne penalty. But the Blues conceded more than they gained and, at half time, had conceded four penalties to North Dorset to go in 3:12, with North Dorset’s No. 10 Ashley Monagham-Phelps in fine form.
The Blues bounced out for the second half with a good deal more self-belief. A bright period in the next 20 minutes saw two tries by the Blues, one of stupendous athleticism from Harry Waye-Branch and both converted by Captain Dan Thorne. The Blues were ahead.
But, after that, the Blues lost a bit of momentum and, probably, so did North Dorset. In the final quarter, it was them, then it was the Blues, then it was… back and forth, with one or other modestly in the ascendant. The visitors found a try. It concluded 17:17.
There’s a bit of a gap in the schedule but Newbury Blues are away at Keynsham RFC on 8th November and back home on again on 22nd November to host Royal Wooton Bassett. Come on you Blues!
Photo by kind permission of Peter Branch
