NEWENT bounced back from their disappointing defeat in Trowbridge with their most complete performance of the season to earn a bonus point win,

The game was much more competitive than the score might suggest, but Newent took their chances well and defended strongly throughout to emerge as worthy winners, writes Hazel Cutting.

Tom Woodman returned from injury to anchor the Green Army’s front row and Peter Joynt resumed his second-row partnership with Matt Henry. With Ben Vincent unavailable, Jack Devries moved to No 8 and Ben Kindred to open-side flanker while Phil Middlemiss made his first start of the season on the blind-side.

In the backs, Rich Merrett returned at outside centre with Will Hartland moving to the wing. Nathan Brooks, having recovered from injury, was a backs replacement alongside new recruit Josh Jenson, back from international duty with Denmark.

Newent got off to a flying start with a try inside three minutes which stemmed from a turnover on their 10m line.

Jack Devries surged through a gap in midfield and carried deep into the 22 before being brought to ground  but the ball was recycled quickly and a couple of phases later Phil Middlemiss drove over from close range for the opening score. Tom Webb converted for a 7-0 lead.

Cheltenham served notice that their backs carried a threat but a break from Dan Fletcher soon took play back into the visitors’ 22 where a high tackle gave Tom Webb the opportunity to increase the lead with a three pointer.

Cheltenham were penalised for pulling down Newent’s maul the hosts went again and this time there was no stopping the men in green as loosehead Nathan Awford emerged from the advancing maul to cross for the try. Tom Webb added a fine conversion and Newent had established a 17-0 lead inside half an hour.

The half ended with Newent’s line threatened for the first time, following a quick tapped penalty but the defence did well to hold up a maul to win a turnover.

The first incident of the second half saw Tom Webb and Cheltenham’s blindside Sam Attwooll yellow carded after a disagreement at a breakdown.

A couple of penalties gave the Tigers position deep in Newent’s 22 and their patience was, and eventually, rewarded with an unconverted try.

Newent conjured a fine try after the visitors were penalised stemming from another turnover in midfield, before Dan Fletcher had the vision and skill to deliver a deft grubber into the path of flying wing Jacob Ivell, who showed good footballing skills to kick ahead and comfortably win the footrace to touch down. Another excellent conversion from Tom Webb took the score to 24-5.

Josh Jenson made his debut in a Newent jersey as a replacement for Rich Merrett and with his first touch sent a probing kick deep into the Cheltenham 22 to force a hurried clearance.

Newent secured their lineout, as they did all game and the ball was moved crisply along the line to Nathan Brooks on the right wing then back inside to Tom Webb who sold a dummy to break the line and cross beneath the posts and his conversion was the easiest kick of a flawless display

Cheltenham managed a second try but the game ended with Newent back on the attack, when another well-weighted grubber from Dan Fletcher just eluded the clutches of Jacob Ivell behind the try line.