NEWENT have played near neighbours Ledbury many times over the years but last Saturday’s encounter was the first in the league, writes Simon Barker.

In front of a large crowd at the Ross Road ground, Newent continued their Midlands Two West unbeaten surge with a 0-38 lockout as they notched up six tries for the second week in succession.

Newent’s team showed just one change from the previous week’s win over Hereford.

With James Marshall unavailable, Leo Oakey stepped up to the second row allowing George Phelps to start at openside and Thai Hayward 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 line-out 20m out.

They worked through the phases to create space for blindside Jim Hartland to cross for the opening try. For once Tom Webb was off target with the conversion.

A couple of penalties against Newent – they were to concede 17, 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 back on the attack.

Jack Devries crossed in the left-hand corner to finish a fine multi-phased attack, but the referee ruled that the final pass forward.

Another multi-phased attack, featuring key breaks from Adrian Connelly and Doug Long, ended with George Clair touching down. Tom Webb converted.

Clair was injured as he scored and left the field so Webb moved inside to fly half with Will Hartland coming on at inside centre.

Newent came close to scoring on a couple of other occasions before scrum half Dylan Leney dummied over from a close-range ruck for the third try of the afternoon, converted by Tom Webb.

The final 15 minutes of the first-half were played in Newent territory, as they conceded more penalties.

Ledbury were held up over the line and a jackal from George Phelps won a penalty to lift the siege.

A penalty from just inside the Ledbury half was the last play of the half but Doug Long’s kick had the direction but not the distance,

Newent secured their bonus point try early in the second half.

Leney took a quick tap penalty and George Phelps, receiving the ball 20m out and tight to the left-hand touchline, showed great stredngth to cross in the corner taking several defenders with him. Tom Webb was unable to convert.

A steady drizzle for the rest of the game made handling difficult and Newent opted for a low-risk kicking strategy.

A fly hack from a loose ball was chased by Kyle Towers into the Ledbury 22, where the hosts were penalised for a tackle off the ball.

The ball was kicked to the corner and pack drove over with Jim Hartland claiming the touchdown. Tom Webb.

More penalties against Newent allowed Ledbury to monopolise possession for a long period, but they struggled to break the gain line as the defence refused to yield, preventing scores from a 5m scrum and two close range lineouts.

Another break from the lively 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 pack drove over, Jim Hartland claiming the touchdown to complete his hat-trick. Tom Webb converted to make the final score 0-38 Newent’s Head Coach Sam Goatley was delighted with his team’s performance, preventing Ledbury from scoring despite abundant possession.