New-look Nuns sunk by never-say-die Kettering
NEW Nuneaton head coach Geraint Davies has overhauled the squad at Liberty Way, bringing in a raft of signings
Forward Reece Harris, Rob Turner and Tom Cheney followed him from South Leicester while prop Ben Spokes, number eight Liam Hucknall and back Harry Key joined from Leicester Lions. Rickie Aley has returned to the club at fly-half having played most recently for Stourbridge and Rugby Lions.
With eight players making their home debuts, it was two survivors from last season, Ben Cooper and Nemani Rayabo, who scored Nuns’ first tries against Kettering – who were then reduced to 14 men after Josh Cox’s second yellow was awarded after just 28 minutes.
However Kettering rallied and Damian Comyard’s try and a couple of penalties saw the visitors lead 16-15 at the break.
Rayabo’s second try, a dazzling effort, converted by Aley, established a six-point lead that Nuns held the final two minutes when an offload allowed Jordan Butlin under the posts for a converted try to secured Kettering a 23-22 away Midlands Premier win.
Broadstreet suffered a second successive defeat, going down 18-13 away at Sheffield. Chris Easton was the visitors’ only try scorer with Dale Glover kicking eight points in a game that included a controversial opening try for the hosts when Easton appeared to ground in-goal, only for Sheffield to be awarded a try.
MIDLANDS PREMIER (OTHER): Bournville 38 Bridgnorth 13, Paviors 28 Doncaster Phoenix 15, Peterborough Lions 8 Burton 34, Sandbach 17 Bromsgrove 13, South Leicester 7 Newport (Salop) 119
nNewbold’s search for a first win under new head coach Huw Thomas rumbled into a second game after conceding a late penalty to lose 24-22 at Worcester.
Having kicked off their Midlands One West season with a 24-24 draw at Ludlow, Thomas’ side scored tries through Reiss Boon, Tom Dixon and Lee Lightowler and seven points from Dan O’Brien’s boot established a lead that agonisingly slipped late on.
Thomas said: “We’ve had four or five players leave and we’ve had new players arrive so it’ll take a bit of time for things to settle down. We’re playing some good rugby but it’s winning rugby that we want to play.”
Kenilworth’s adjustment to Level Six rugby continues at a fast pace after a second-successive bonuspoint win was recorded away at Sutton Coldfield. Bryn Grantham ran home a hat-trick of tries while Will Davies, Nick Gerber, Nyle Beckett, Luke Truslove also all crossed for the Blues and Golds to claim a comprehensive 45-12 away victory.
MIDLANDS ONE WEST: Droitwich 5 Dudley Kingswinford 29, Old Halesonians 16 Ludlow 20, Stoke on Trent 44 Lichfield 26, Stourbridge Lions 46 Kidderminster 17, Whitchurch 5 Hereford 29
nIn the regional equivalent Midlands One East, Rugby Lions were soundly beaten at home by Old Northamptonians.
An early yellow card and a penalty try handed the impetus to the visitors to Webb Ellis Road but Martin Wood’s try, converted by Kris McFedries, brought Lions back within 12 points at the break.
Ben Nuttall’s try reduced the deficit but Old Northamptonians rallied to close out an ill-tempered game and win 35-14 as Lions saw Callum Hopkin red carded.
MIDLANDS ONE EAST: Derby 25 Lutterworth 10, Peterborough 28 Olney 21, Syston 50 Oadby Wyggestonians 10, Towcestrians 41 Melbourne 17, Wellingborough 22 Market Harborough 40, West Bridgford 31 Oundle 36
nNuneaton Old Edwardians, coached by Wasps duo Jimmy Gopperth and Ashley Johnson, kicked off their Midlands Two West South season with a home victory.
Ryan Southall and Tay Brown’s tries, both converted by Brad Darlaston, opened a 14-point lead over Old Laurentians at half-time.
Those two try scorers combined for Brown to register his second of the afternoon.
A late try from the visitors pulled the score back to 19-5 but the Weddington Road side held firm to secure victory.
Gopperth said: “It was a really pleasing start to the season.
“The boys showed great determination and their attitude was spot on.
“We still have a lot to work on but we are heading a the right direction.
“Looking forward to another good performance next match.”
Barkers Butts edged a thrilling game with Stratford-upon-Avon 28-27 with tries coming from George Adams, Joshua Palmer and Matty Walker’s brace.
A penalty try at the death denied Earlsdon an opening-day victory over Spartans.
Alex Binnie scored two tries and Sam Guy registered a third to move Earlsdon five points ahead but the late seven-point award saw Spartans claim a 21-19 win.
Also in Midlands Two West South, Leamington suffered late heartbreak at home going down 39-36 to Silhillians. The hosts were 15-0 up at the break as Lewis Kelsey and Dan Barber scored tries and James Dunne kicked five points.
Leamington moved 29-11 ahead with Kelsey’s second try and Jacob Cole’s wonderful try from deep.
A flurry of Sills tries followed to gain the lead but Barber’s second try appeared to retrieve the situation, but Sills had the final say with a late converted try.
Elsewhere, there were heavy defeats for Pinley and Southam, going down 71-19 to Malvern and 85-17 to Evesham respectively.
Shipston, who play in the regional equivalent Wadworth Southern Counties North, lost 25-15 on the opening day at Aylesbury.
In Midlands Three West South, Old Leamingtonians, coached by the Wasps duo of Tom Cruse and Ben Harris, were 40-19 winners at newly-promoted Burbage.
Liam Wellings’ try opened the scoring but the Leicestershire hosts rallied to lead 14-5 at the break.
But further tries from Tom Eales, wing Calum Semple, Bradley James, Andy O’Toole and Ciaran O’Connor plus five conversions from Henry Reynolds secured victory for the visitors.
Adam Moore was Manor Park’s hat-trick hero as they returned from Ledbury celebrating a 31-21 victory. Joe Reynolds and Dan Joyce also scored five pointers.
Ben Griffiths scored four of Stoke Old Boys’ tries in their 60-12 away success at newly-promoted Bedworth.
Alcester seemed on course for an opening day victory with tries from Louis Smith, Jamie Harland and Ben Hope but Woodrush’s late two-try salvo earned them a 21-17 away win.
Old Coventrians came out on top against Coventry Welsh winning 29-5 away from home.
Having fallen behind to an early try, OCs responded with Josh James, Paul Wilkes, Jake Shellis and Ollie Clark (2) crossing the line for Al Roberts’ side.
Berkswell and Balsall started with a 17-15 home defeat to Rugby St Andrews.
In Midlands Four West South, Old Wheatleyans thrashed Dunlop 61-7 away from home, Old Yardleians won 21-13 at Old Coventrians, Harbury hammered Kings Norton 57-7 and Claverdon were 22-15 winners against Pershore.
Atherstone were the pick of the bunch in Midlands Five West South winning 95-0 against Trinity Guild. Keresley won 33-17 away at Dixonians and Rugby Welsh also won on their travels, defeating Bloxwich 54-19.