Newbold 31 Old Leamingtonians 5: One-sided scoreline fails to reflect OLs’ contribution as handling errors cost

From the kick off, Newbold took the game to OLs and the first home try came five minutes in following a number of forward mauls.

The try was converted and pressure continued but OLs were slowly getting a foothold in the game and presenting problems to the home side without success.

A number of promising moves broke down due to careless handling at critical times allowing Newbold to retrieve ball and relieve pressure.

The ebb and flow nature of game continued but it was Newbold’s better handling that enabled the second try to be scored when following another forward surge the ball was touched down near to the posts.

The final 15 minutes of the first half were dominated by the visitors but only resulted in an unconverted Dee try wide out on the left.

OLs had further chances with a defence-splitting run from young full-back Bradley James seeing him commit his opposite number before passing out for the overlapping runner who knocked on to thwart the score.

A crossfield kick to the right-winger was also spilled when a try looked a certainty to leave OLs trailing 14-5 at the break.

The second half was dominated by Newbold whose clinical finishing allowed them to add 17 points for a comfortable bonus-point win.

However, Old Leamingtonians were again made to pay for handling errors as they spurned further promising opportunities.

Old Leamingtonians will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways tomorrow when they welcome Nuneaton Old Edwardians to The Crofts (3pm).