Blues lack that finishing touch in season opener

BEN Hurford-John scored a hat-trick of tries on his Newbury Blues debut – but still finished on the losing side.

The young winger showed plenty of pace and the ability to ghost past opponents.

But it all proved in vain as Blues were edged out in a thrilling clash at home to Gloucester side Longlevens, eventually going down 36-31.

Blues head coach James McAvoy said: “It was a shame because we gave ourselves a lot of attacking opportunities to finish the game off.

“But several times the bounce of the ball just didn’t go our way.

“Our scrum was dominant throughout and Ben Hurford-John, who was making his debut, scored a hat-trick.”

McAvoy knows there is still a long, long way to go this season and that Blues will have to tighten up in defence if they are to challenge at the top end of the table.

He said: “We do not want to become a side that has to outscore other teams in high-scoring games so we have to get our defence sorted.”

There were plenty of positives for Blues to take from the game, with the front row bossing their opponents and the second row of debutant Dave Barber and Ashley Doel giving them solid support.

And McAvoy will be hoping to cash in on Saturday when they travel to a Cheltenham side walloped 93-0 by Cleve in their opening fixture.

Blues will start as favourites to open their account for the season, but they can’t afford to be complacent, especially as they will be playing a rare fixture on a 4G pitch.