Superb Blues impress despite defeat against unbeaten league leaders

Newbury Blues delivered one of their best performances of the season despite a narrow 31-20 defeat at home to unbeaten league leaders Marlborough.

Marlborough arrived in Berkshire having won all of their first 15 games this season, including a 50-3 demolition of Blues earlier in the campaign – but Saturday's performance was a fine indicator of how far the home side have come.

Blues were competitive and unfortunate to be behind following Lemeki Moala's controversial 15th minute try but went ahead after half an hour when the quick-thinking James Macaulay kicked a loose ball forward and great pressure led to a Marlborough mistake before excellent presence of mind from Josh Winfield set up Toby Thorne who powered over to make it 13-7 to the hosts.

Marlborough snuck back in front right before the break when full back William Revee crossed after a spell of sustained pressure and staunch Blues defending.

The visitors extended their lead to 21-13 after the restart as Akariva Seruvata, who had pace to burn, scored out wide and Blues would've been forgiven for letting their heads drop, but instead the home side responded with impressive determination.

When hooker George Robinson-Slater crossed and the impressive Dan Thorne added the conversion Blues were back within a single point and the Monks Lane crowd were on their feet, right behind their side.

It proved a bridge too far as two more tries for Marlborough, who ended the game with 13 men, put paid to Blues hopes of a comeback but it was nevertheless an afternoon to be proud of.

"We're a little bit disappointed because we felt we had a real chance to end Marlborough's run," head coach James McAvoy said.

"But we're so proud, we were magnificent.

"We don't usually have a specific game plan but we worked in the week on how to stop Marlborough, we wanted to see out the first 10 minutes and stand up to them physically to let them know they were in a game.

"Josh Winfield was man of the match and superb at the lineout, Ali Magee and Harry Waye-Branch were brilliant again and Oli Rhoads did well on his debut but as a team we matched Marlborough.

"We made it hard for them for the entire 80 minutes and you've got to say well done to them, I almost hope they go and complete a full unbeaten season now because that's such a difficult thing to do."

Blues welcome third placed Witney for their annual Pink Day, raising money for Newbury Cancer Care, on Saturday.