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McAvoy hoping to build momentum as Blues defy Storm Darragh




Newbury Blues head coach James McAvoy was delighted with his side, as they braved the elements to win their third game of the season on Saturday.

They beat Petersfield 23-15, defying Storm Darragh and rising to ninth in the table thanks to tries from Harry Edwards, Josh Winfield and Rory Jones.

Josh Winfield catches a lineout - Photo: Peter Branch
Josh Winfield catches a lineout - Photo: Peter Branch

“We spoke about encompassing a character and not a skill,” said McAvoy post-match.

“We knew there would be skill areas today, we knew there would be knock ons, set pieces would be tricky.

“So it was ‘be resilient, let that carry you through’.

“They boys will be thinking that if we’d had that energy earlier in the season, then we’d be in a very different position.

“Last week they set a standard, and I do think that they upped it against better opposition today.

“They felt what it’s like to defend at that level.

“I don’t think they felt we were going to lose today.”

Such unique conditions provided unique challenges, but McAvoy was keen to use these to his side’s advantage.

“The transitions, with the wind, did make it a classic cliché tale of two halves,” McAvoy explained.

“We chose to play against the wind in the first half.

“Knowing that we could go in just behind, but we knew we’d have that advantage in the second half when boys were tired.

“Dan Thorne was really smart in saying how the conditions wouldn’t win us the game, we can’t just rely on that.

“I just asked for a few bits of clarity in defence.

“We were a little bit unsure around our spacing, and they did find some spaces wide against us.

“But we had three kickers on the park that can play us down in those areas.

“As long as our discipline is smart, no team is going to go coast to coast in that weather without making a mistake.

Blues had targeted this run of fixtures before the new year, beating North Dorset last week, taking out Petersfield on Saturday, and now facing Wimborne and bottom side Andover before Christmas.

As well as getting much needed points on the board, McAvoy is hoping that a run of positive results can help build momentum for the rest of the season.

Newbury's Man of the Match Kyle Doel leaps into action - Photo: Peter Branch
Newbury's Man of the Match Kyle Doel leaps into action - Photo: Peter Branch

“Next week marks the first repeat fixture,” McAvoy said.

“So the boys get quite excited when you then start to get the teams that you’ve played.

“In community rugby you can’t plan too much for the opposition, because people come in and out.

“But there’s a lot of wrongs that we want to put right.

“I think in two games time we’ll be in a position to take on those teams where we felt we made mistakes.

“I think it’ll energise us going through to the end of the season.

“We can certainly use the momentum to lift us.”

Spectators, players and coaches alike braved the conditions, with relentless rain and blistering winds battering all in attendance at Monks Lane.

Weather which saw local football matches called off and events cancelled proved to be no issue for the Blues squad, who stepped up and took the game to the visitors.

Playing into a brutal wind in the first half, Blues were faced with significant early pressure.

Petersfield made the most of this, going 3-0 up within the first five minutes.

Newbury retaliated with a strong defensive effort, as Jamie Futcher made a relief run which resulted in an offside penalty for Blues.

Tom Cole did brilliantly to put a kick into the corner against the wind, with Blues winning the resulting lineout.

Harry Edwards took full advantage of the fallout, breaking through to score Newbury’s first try of the match.

With Blues now 5-3 up, Petersfield reacted strongly, testing the home defence who did well to hold them off.

Captain Dan Thorne prepares to kick in terrible conditions - Photo: Peter Branch
Captain Dan Thorne prepares to kick in terrible conditions - Photo: Peter Branch

There was a case of déjà vu just before the half hour mark, as Tom Cole kicked for another Newbury lineout.

They took full advantage once again, with Josh Winfield going over to extend his side’s lead.

With half-time approaching blues got their third, as Rory Jones powered over.

Dan Thorne successfully converted despite the tricky conditions, making it 17-3 as the crowd retreated to the bar for half-time with a strong sense of optimism.

Skipper Thorne reminded his side at the interval that the game was far from being won, challenging them to close out the match with a strong display.

Petersfield proved him right, looking dangerous with ball in hand.

Ten minutes into the second half they pulled one back, finding a gap on Newbury’s flank to make it 17-8.

The back row of Harry Edwards, Rory Jones and Josh Winfield were dominating a lot of the collisions and Alec McCormack made a significant impact from the bench

Soon after, Blues extended their lead to 20-8, as Dan Thorne kicked a penalty.

This gave Blues some breathing space but there was to be no room for complacency, as Petersfield scored their second try with a strong run through the middle.

At 20-15 the game was in the balance, but excellent game management from Blues saw them win two kickable penalties.

The first of these hit the upright, keeping the pressure on Petersfield who were forced to concede a five metre scrum.

Dan Thorne was successful with the second kick to take the score to 23-15 and wrap things up for Blues.

Full time saw a rush for the bar, with spectators keen to get warm and celebrate Blues moving up one place to ninth in the league.

The Wickens Suite hosted the first of the club’s Christmas lunches, which saw 150 members seated pre-match.

The Soultones provided musical entertainment downstairs after full time, capping a day spent battling with the elements.



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