NEWENT started their Regional One Midlands game at Bromsgrove at full throttle and spent much of the opening period in home territory, writes Paul Dando.

They went ahead with a well worked try after 10 minutes.

Tom Webb drew the defence before slipping the ball to debutant Joe Warner who picked a good line and sliced through the remaining opposition to dot down under the posts. Webb added the extras for a deserved 0-7 lead

Newent continued to press and, were awarded a penalty on the Bromsgrove 22 following a tip tackle which Webb easily converted.

With skipper Ben Vincent leading from the front, the visitors continued to press and what seemed an opportunity to score a certain was spurned.

The loss of Newent’s captain after 20 minutes seemed to change the match with Bromsgrove applying pressure.

The ball was spread wider where centre Ollie Ingram found enough space with fullback Rhys Williams converting.

Bromsgrove then rejected a kickable penalty to go for the corner where hooker Ellis Jenkins forced his way over for 12-10.

The sides went into the break at 19-13 after another Bromsgrove try and a Webb penalty.

The home side started strongly and kicked a penalty inside the first minute.

After a knock-on inside the Newent 22, Ted Bailey and Webb got their backline on the front foot once again.

Sweeping into the Bromsgrove half, it seemed odds on for another try but the ball was knocked on.

After Bromsgrove scored again, a great kick out from inside his 22 by Doug Long set Newent up for a prolonged period of pressure inside the home half.

Strong running by Dan Fletcher took play into the 22 where good interplay between forwards and backs set up a maul near the line where Jim Hartland powered his way over. Webb kicked the tricky conversion about 15 metres in from touch.

When Newent were penalised in front of the posts for going off their feet. Williams made no mistake with the kick.

More good play by Newent led to a thundering run down the touchline by Jac Devries who was denied an almost certain try by a brave tackle.

Having just about held the upper hand at scrum time throughout, Newent drove home their advantage with a great effort, pushing the home pack over the line with Jim Hartland getting the touchdown for his second of the match. Webb converted.

At two scores ahead and with minutes left to play Bromsgrove closed out the match completely with another try for 42-27 at full-time

Newent coach Sam Goatley said: “This was another really disappointing away performance leaving us with a lot to think about.

“What adds to the frustration is that in the first 20 minutes or so we played arguably our best rugby of the season, and we should have really had more than a 10 point lead after that spell.

“Then after that period, to Bromsgrove’s credit, they grew into the game and were good value for their win.

“They bullied us in the collision, defensively we were way too passive and it was too easy for them to get on top of us. “I know how good we can be and I’m confident the players will respond well and work hard over the next four sessions before Stourbridge.”