Survival secured on emotional day for Newbury Blues

Newbury Blues ensured their survival with an emphatic final day win on Saturday.

They hosted Chichester in their last game of the season, knowing that if they failed to win results elsewhere could see them relegated from the Regional 2 South Central.

There was an added level of emotion for Blues, having received the news last week that much loved club member Adam Henderson had passed away.

Henderson’s son currently plays for Newbury’s Colts, while Henderson himself played for Blues and coached age group rugby at the club.

Blues made sure to pay fitting tribute to Henderson on the pitch, winning emphatically to ensure survival and relegate Chichester.

Dan Thorne kicked five penalties and a conversion, while Sean Siggerman, Harry Isaac, Will Osborne and Harry Edwards all scored a try each.

“With everything that was on the line this weekend, I think the boys handled the pressure really well,” said head coach James McAvoy.

“We turned that into a real positive, and I was happy that the boys built a lead.

“I was pleased that mentally we were in the right place.

“Dan had a great kicking performance to just move the scoreboard.”

The win caps a mixed season for Newbury, which has seen them finish eighth in their twelve team division.

Two wins in their last three fixtures have helped Newbury avoid the drop by six points.

“We’ve spoken a lot about momentum,” he said.

“One positive can lead to two positives, and all of a sudden it starts the change.

“We called it ‘positive stacking’.

“We had a good mixture of scoring from close range and some expansive play in the middle.

“But what a great way to finish.

“We’re not far off seventh, but I think we know where we’re going now.

Blues will not defend their Papa Johns Cup South Shield however.

They were due to play Old Centralians on Saturday, but will focus on recuperation instead.

“A lot of emotional energy was used this weekend,” he said.

“We also used that opportunity to remember someone very close to the club.

“It felt like a way to close the book on this season with some positivity.

“Now we’ll move onto what’s next.”