Blues defence is praised by Archer

Newbury beat Marlborough to maintain their 100 per cent record this season

NEWBURY Blues head coach Paul Archer praised his side’s defensive display in Saturday’s 32-22 victory against Marlborough at Monks Lane.

The result leaves Blues as the only unbeaten side in the South West 1 East as they collected their eighth straight win.

The home side went behind early on, but responded well, and held a 24-16 half-time lead.

“We started a little bit slowly,” admitted Archer. “They were out of the blocks right from kick-off and they tried to blitz us in the early stages and we weathered that storm, which was pleasing.

“They scored early on and it was a good test for us because we’re not used to going behind, but we responded really well.

“I thought we kept the ball, we built phases and scored a couple of nice tries in the first half.”

Blues secured an eighth try bonus point before half-time and Archer believes it helped settle his players in the second-half.

“To get the try bonus point before half-time was pleasing,” he said. “It allowed us to play a lot more freely in the second-half.

“To defend in the way we did during the second-half, where we forced many turnovers was excellent and it’s one of the best defensive performances that I can remember,” Archer said.

Blues now face a trip to Witney on Saturday looking to collect another victory and maintain their six-point lead at the top.

“It keeps us up there, we know our standards have to continue and it’s important that we don’t stand still,” said Archer.