Broadstreet RFC

After last week’s uninspiring performance against Old Northamptonians most neutrals would have had Broadstreet pegged as underdogs for the away match at Newport Salop RFC. Street’s selection for the match highlighted the previous week’s disappointment with only Nick Thatcher retaining his position in the back-line. The back-line shake up meant 3 people earned debuts with impressive colt Sam Vagg and Uni student Romey Vassell forming a fresh centre partnership and fellow debutant Ollie Marchon comes onto the left wing. Utility back Jordan Simpson became the 6^th person this year to have a crack at fly-half whilst Andy Skene was moved back to cover at full back and Tom Stokes moves off the bench to start on the other wing. Tight-head Blair Cooper recovers from his broken ribs and replaces Matt Dearden in a largely unchanged pack.

The match couldn’t really have gotten off to a better start for ‘Street and, barely 5 minutes in, new centre Romey Vassell more than justified his selection with an amazing solo try. Collecting a poor pass just shy of his own 40 metre line he neatly sidestepped the onrushing defender and accelerated into the gap left by the doglegged defence. With 55 metres to the line Vassell still had a number of covering defenders to beat, but he made light work of it smashing through the poor tackle attempts and cruising home to score beneath the posts which made Stokes conversion much easier. 0-7

Not to be outdone Ollie Marchon followed up with a try on the very next play, by capitalising on a good break by Jordan from fly-half who swung the ball wide which allowed him to get on the outside of his winger and show some good wheels to touch down in the corner. Chris Zutic was next to take advantage of the surprisingly weak Newport tackling when he picked up the ball on the Newport 22 and powered through at least 3 defenders before beating the fullback on the outside to score in the corner. Stokes was unable to convert either try from the touchlines. 17-0 after 22 minutes

A penalty earned by Broadstreet in their own half was drilled deep into Newport territory by Stokes which allowed an effective catch and drive to threaten the home sides line before it was dragged down just short. Dawes and then Blair Cooper hit the ball at pace off the consequent rucks and Cooper was able to crash through the Newport try-line defence to get the ball down for another 5 points. At fly-half Jordan Simpson was an ever present threat, often slipping through the defensive line whenever Newport assumed to drift. On such an occassion Simpson broke from his own 22 weaving his way uip the pitch to half way before firing out a pass to Tom Stokes on the wing, showing great pace to get round the outside of his man and beat him in a footrace to the corner. Stokes followed this up with an excellent conversion.

Half Time Broadstreet RFC 31 - 0 Newport Salop RFC

After the break and what was probably a big telling off by their coach, Newport came out a different side and spent the first ten minutes of the half camped in the ‘Street 22. This almost resulted in a try but unfortunately the dummy-half picked the ball up whilst having a foot in touch just before he dived over the try-line. After such a free flowing first-half it took until the 65^th minute for a try to be registered and it was Newport Salop RFC who roke the deadlock when fullback Eggerton crossed the whitewash after breaking some lacksidaisical tackles from the Broadstreet back-line. 31-5

Broadstreet responded straight away from the restart when Simon Morris got to the hanging kick first, kicked the ball through before it could be reclaimed and charged through onto the covering full-back. Morris grubbered the ball before the full-back could pick it up and raced through to touch down under the posts which Stokes kicked easily. 38-5

Broadstreet then lost 2 men to the sin-bin in the remaining time with Jamie Dodd and Nick Pratt both being judged guilty of killing the ball to prevent a potential try scoring opportunity. With the last play of the game Newport crossed the whitewash again when 2^nd row Woodhouse crashed over from short range after ‘Street had given away another penalty but it was too little too late as Newport were left to rue a poor 1^st half which had basically handed Broadstreet the game in the first 20 minutes. 38-12

Full Time Broadstreet RFC 38 - 12 Newport Salop RFC

MotM –

Good showing from the debutants but Nigel Mukarati was immense all day both carrying the ball and at the break down

DotD-

Without doubt Jamie Dodd who was sinbinned about 30 seconds after coming onto the pitch (probably a tactical decision by him to reduce the danger of him being picked for the 1^st team again)