The Gordon West Cup has a new look this season, were groups are now drawn randomly from a pool of teams, compared to the previous regional selection, disadvantaging Newrys hopes of progressing as they were going into the toughest group in the competition. This season sees Newrys group containing the Psni, Civil Service and Lurgan, a somewhat fresh change to previous years.
The opening fixture was held on Saturday when the Psni came to Telford Park, for an exciting game of Rugby. Newry got the better start when they pressured the away side for most of the opening minutes, the pressure paid off with a well struck penalty kick by Rhys Botha giving the home side a 3-0 lead. Following the restart Psni were temporarily reduced to 14 men for persistent fouling when entering the ruck, the penalty was converted to give Newry a 6-0 lead. With extra numbers Newry were unable to capitalise, with carries from Gareth Toal and Brendan Curran Newry were making ground, it was the final play when the unforced errors resulted in turning over possession.
The major turning point in the first half was a somewhat harsh decision by the referee, Psni picked up the tempo nearing half time, but were held back by committed tackles by Collie Stewert and Connor Marshall, with possession on the Newry five yard line, the Psni appeared out of options as Newry defence stood strong, when controversially the referee awarded a penalty try which was converted giving the Psni a 7-6 lead at half time.
The second half became a bit of stale mate when either team were able to take advantage of each other’s mistakes, it was the 60 minute when Newry were able to show their classes in the backs, a well won ruck from the forwards set up James Warren from 50 yards out, the number eight watched a gap appear in front of him, he took his chance and put the Psni on the back foot, he made up 30 yards before offloading in the tackle to Peter Jenkins who put Paddy Wentworth in for Newrys first try of the season, a well worked try was converted by Rhys Botha, the 100% kicking record remains intact, giving Newry a 13-7 lead. With the lead Newry went for the jugular, with time ticking down Newry had a chance in the oppositions 22, an attempted drop goal by number ten to bring the game to a two score lead was missed when it clipped the post.
The Psni had one last attack, they kept the ball in the pack and pinned Newry in their own 22, an attempt to put the backs in play with an offside advantage was stopped by tackle of the season when Marty Cunningham made sure the flanker remembered his trip to Telford Park, an early penalty for offside, the Psni had one more chance, deciding for a scrum they secured possession and carried the ball into the 5 yard line and after ten phases they scored in the corner in the final moment of the game. The Psni had one kick for the victory, fortunately the kick went to the left, a 13-12 victory for Newry was well deserved. This was a game of defence; thankfully the Newry squad were up for this game. Next up is Donegal in the league, Newry have had mixed fortunes in previous meetings, the trip up always sets the away side at a major disadvantage, but the team are picking up pace so they have every chance of winning this one.
J Collins, C Stewert, N Robertson, S Farrell, C Marshall, B Curran, G Toal, J Warren, N Shaw, R Botha, P Jenkins, P Wentworth, D Kelly, M Cunningham, J McCabe.
Youth
Youth were without a fixture this weekend, but training went ahead with large numbers, this weekend they head to Ards, the U13 were unlucky in their previous game, the U15 out performed themselves with a crunching victory but the major shock was the no show from the U17, they have all to prove on Saturday at Ards, can they turn things around and do them and the club proud. Minis training still goes ahead at Telford Park grounds at 9am.
Club Re-Union
In celebration of the rugby world cup Newry RFC committee would like to invite all its past players from the sixties to the noughties for a reunion at Telford Park Clubrooms on the 8th October. For more details contact newryrfc.explayers@hotmail.com or contact the committee.
Fixtures
Newry 1st XV v Donegal away,
Newry 2nd XV v Hollywood at Home at 2.30pm,
Newry Youth v Ards away bus leaving at 9am.
