Teams from these near neighbours have met on many occasions over the years, but this was the first time that their first XVs have met in the league and the fixture attracted a large crowd to the impressive facilities of Ledbury’s Ross Road ground. They saw Newent claim the honours as they notched up six tries for the second week in succession, with blindside flanker Jim Hartland (Ecclesiastical) claiming a hat-trick, and prevented their hosts from scoring thanks to a committed defensive display.

Newent’s team showed just one change from last weeks win over Hereford. With James Marshall (Paul Dando) unavailable, Leo Oakey (ACE Landscapes) stepped up to the second row allowing George Phelps (UNSPONSORED) to start at openside and Thai Hayward (Steve Winney Patio & Drives) to provide the back row cover on the bench.

Newent’s long kick-off put Ledbury under pressure from the outset, a hurried clearance giving the visitors a lineout 20m out. They secured the ball and worked through the phases to create space for Jim Hartland to cross for the opening try. For once Tom Webb, (Boulsdon Lifestyle) perhaps struggling to adjust his angles to Ledbury’s big pitch, was off target with the conversion. A couple of penalties against Newent -they were to concede seventeen during the course of the game, the only blemish on their performance- gave Ledbury a 5m lineout which they chose to run, but a series of dominant tackles forced them backwards and the visitors were soon pressing again. Jack Devries (David & Kaye Gibbard) crossed in the left-hand corner to finish a fine multi-phased attack, but the referee ruled that the final pass had been forward. The second try was not long in coming, however, as another multi-phased attack, featuring key breaks from Adrian Connelly (Paul Dando) and Doug Long (Gary & Georgina Gardner), ended with George Clair (UNSPONSORED) touching down. Tom Webb
converted, but Clair was injured in the act of scoring and had to leave the field so Webb moved inside to fly half with Will Hartland (Always Shine) coming on at inside centre.

Newent came close to scoring on a couple of other occasions before scrum half Dylan Leney (Gary & Georgina Gardner) dummied over from a close-range ruck for the third try of the afternoon, converted by Tom Webb. The final fifteen minutes of the first-half were played in Newent territory, as more penalties allowed Ledbury to dominate field position. They came closest to scoring when second row Harris took a quick tap from a penalty 5m out, but he was held up over the line. A jackal from George Phelps to win a penalty allowed Newent to lift the siege and when Ledbury were penalised again just inside their half the visitors opted to go for the posts, knowing it was the last play of the half. Doug Long’s kick had the direction but not the distance, so the score at half-time was Ledbury 0 Newent 19.

Newent secured their bonus point try early in the second half with a taste of vintage George Phelps. When Ledbury were penalised in midfield, Dylan Leney took a quick tap to launch an attack. Phelps, receiving the ball 20m out and tight to the left-hand touchline, showed great strength to cross in the corner taking several defenders with him. Tom Webb was unable to convert.

The remainder of the game was played in a steady drizzle which made handling difficult and Newent opted for a low risk kicking strategy. A fly hack from a loose ball was chased by Kyle Towers (Mark James) into the Ledbury 22, where the hosts were penalised for a tackle off the ball. The ball was kicked to the corner, the lineout secured and Newent’s pack drove over with Jim Hartland claiming the touchdown at the bottom of the maul. Tom Webb converted to take the visitors over 30 points.

More penalties against Newent allowed Ledbury -who had a very efficient lineout- to monopolise possession for a long period, but they struggled to break the gain line as the visitors’ defence refused to yield, preventing scores from a 5m scrum and two close range lineout drives.
Another break from the lively Dylan Leney sparked a final attack by Newent. The ball was lost forward in the 22, but Ledbury were shunted backwards at the resultant scrum to win a penalty which Tom Webb kicked to the corner. Once again the lineout was secured and the pack drove over, Jim Hartland claiming the touchdown to complete his hat-trick of tries. Tom Webb converted to make the final score Ledbury 0 Newent 38.

Head Coach Sam Goatley was delighted with his team’s performance, especially their character and commitment in preventing Ledbury from scoring despite an abundance of possession. To complete a memorable afternoon for the club, the Phoenix beat Ledbury 2nds, the Lions, 29-31 in a thrilling game where the lead changed hands four times in the closing minutes before the Phoenix edged it with a well struck stoppage time penalty – cheered on by the 1 st XV whose game on the neighbouring pitch finished earlier. The large contingent of Newent supporters who enjoyed the afternoon included a reunion of ex-players from the class of 2008/09, who did so much to lay the foundations of the club’s subsequent success – success which will reach new heights if this form continues.

Newent: D Long; K Towers, N Brooks, T Webb, A Connelly; G Clair, D Leney; M Emery, W Tanner, E White; Jack Devries, L Oakey; J Hartland, G Phelps, B Vincent (capt.).
Replacements: T Woodman, W Hartland, T Hayward.
Newent scorers:
Tries: J Hartland (3), G Clair, D Leney, G Phelps.
Con: T Webb (4).