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Newbury produce battling display at Tottonians




NEWBURY Blues coach James McAvoy praised his side’s second-half performance in difficult conditions at Tottonians on Saturday.

Blues looked to be heading for a heavy defeat as they trailed the high-flying Hampshire side 21-0 at half-time in Regional 2 South Central.

Newbury Blues head coach James McAvoy
Newbury Blues head coach James McAvoy

But Blues rallied after the break and drew the second-half 7-7.

McAvoy said: “For the last two seasons we have struggled to travel there.

“It is always a boggy pitch and we caught them at the end of a week of heavy rain, which played to the strengths of their pack.

“We knew what their game plan was going to be and wanted to stop them early on and make them switch to a kick strategy.

“But our discipline was poor at times and that gave them field position.

“They scored two tries from pick and goes and one from an interception.

“We struggled to get any continuity and our ball retention was not good enough.

“In the second half we switched to a more up tempo game and that was much better.

“The game was a lot more even, but the damage was done in the first half.”

Blues have a week off on Saturday, but it doesn’t get any easier as they bid to pull clear of the danger zone.

On March 16 they face a daunting trip to leaders Jersey, who have won 17 of their 18 league games and are 16 points clear at the top.

But there is cause for optimism as, at last, several players are returning from injury.

Forwards Josh Winfield, Jonathan Lees and Dylan Stewart returned to the side.

And, although Newbury Stags were beaten 45-37 by local rivals Tadley, they were delighted to welcome back Tom Cole, who has been out for more than a year with an ACL injury.



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