Newent secured a hard-fought victory over Lichfield to complete the remarkable record of taking five points from every home game this season, writes Simon Barker.

The Green Army have now gone two seasons undefeated in the league at the Rec after being promoted to Regional One Midlands last year.

They last tasted defeat on January 6 2024 when eventual champions Silhillians won 19-23.

There was a double celebration at The Rec as Newent Phoenix secured the Gloucester and District Two title with a 74-24 win over Chosen Hill Former Pupils.

Newent’s starting line-up saw Garrett Myers move from the back row to loosehead prop in the absence of Tom Woodman with Jim Hartland taking his place at wing forward.

Tom Webb was among the replacements, his first appearance since being injured against Bournville at the end of January, and in the event played most of the game at inside centre after Nathan Brooks took a knock to the head with the match just a few minutes old.

Lichfield were the last team to win at the Rec, a Papa John’s Cup tie in April of last year, and as anticipated proved tough opponents in an attritional contest.

Newent looked more likely to break the deadlock, but it took them half an hour.

A penalty against Lichfield for a high tackle provided the platform for an attack which swept along the line to the left then back to the right, where Kyle Towers came off his wing to make the extra man and break a tackle to finish well. Doug Long’s conversion was off target.

A break from Will Hartland – who revelled in the bit of extra space provided by moving to outside centre, showcasing his ability to ghost through the tightest of gaps – from a scrum on halfway took play to 15m out, but the ball was lost forward so scrum put-in to Lichfield.

The visitors secured their possession but Webb charged down the attempted clearance kick, regathered the ball and off-loaded to James Marshall for the second row to touch down under the posts.

Doug Long’s conversion gave Newent a useful 12-0 half-time lead.

Early in the second half the hosts suffered another injury blow when Leo Oakey had to be helped from the field.

Ben Brown moved into the second row, Thai Hayward coming off the bench to take his place at blindside flanker where he made an impact with a typically hard-working display.

Newent’s pack were more than holding their own against bigger opponents at the set piece and a secure scrum on their own 10m line was the platform for their third try.

The ball was spun wide and Kyle Towers again came off his wing to make the key incision, this time turning provider as he gave the pass which enabled his fellow winger Fin Mellis to squeeze home in the right-hand corner.

Doug Long added a fine touchline conversion to extend Newent’s lead to 19-0.

Newent defended with their customary commitment as Lichfield enjoyed their first prolonged period of

The Staffordshire side’s No 8 Richard Burton crossed from close range for a converted try to make it 19-7 going into the last quarter..

The next score was important and it went to the hosts, whose pack drove forward at a scrum on Lichfield’s 10m line to win a penalty.

Lively scrum half Dylan Leney took a quick tap but was tackled before he went 10m, earning Newent another penalty and a yellow card for Lichfield’s second row Harvey Wooton.

Newent opted to take a scrum, from which Tom Webb broke through and stretched out under the posts. However, the referee ruled that the ball had not been grounded but went back for another penalty 15m out. Newent opted for the scrum again, from which Dylan Leney broke right and fed flying full-back Adrian Connelly who finished well for the bonus point try.

The conversion was missed, but at 24-7 with 10 minutes of normal time left the Green Army could breathe more easily.

Lichfield spent much of the rest of the game camped in Newent’s 22, but found the home defence difficult to break down.

Second row Chris Bennnett was held up over the line, before Newent were reduced to 14 men when Webb – who moments earlier had made a superb break into Lichfield territory – was yellow carded for a ruck offence.

The hosts continued to defend their line with complete commitment, but the dam was finally breached when Lichfield’s tight-head Rory Davis crashed over. Charlie Milner’s conversion was the final act of the game, allowing Newent to start their celebrations of an outstanding achievement in their first season of rugby at Level Five.