Newbold now just one win from the title
NEWBOLD moved within one win of clinching the Midlands East One title and promotion to English rugby’s fifth tier with a 49-17 win over Dronfield.
Lloyd Warner got the scoreboard moving early on, before player-coach Phil Reed scored from close range.
As their forwards took control of affairs, winger James McGill scored a great individual try before centre Lloyd Warner claimed the bonus point score.
Although the visitors got on the board, prop Eddie Allen ensured Newbold held a comfortable 35-5 half time advantage.
Dronfield’s second and third tries were split by Newbold’s sixth – scored by Matt Titchener, before James McGill’s midfield break enabled Reed to round things off with his second score.
A win next Saturday at Huntingdon will clinch the title for Newbold.
Bottom-of-the table Kenilworth showed what might have been by administering an eight-try 53-13 Midlands West One thrashing to Worcester Wanderers.
Tries from Rhys Jones, Ed Hannam and Bobby Thompson gave the hosts a commanding 22-3 interval advantage before Mikkel Andresen’s score banked the bonus point two minutes later.
Veteran scrum half Gareth Renowden then claimed two further tries, while there were singles for winger Liam Leeson and fly half Harry O’Brien.
Rugby Lions stay top of the pile in Midlands Two West, but in the day’s shock result they slipped to a 26-29 home defeat at the hands of relegationthreatened Barkers Butts.
The visitors scored five tries to recover a 12-point deficit in the closing stages and throw themselves a lifeline. With three matches remaining Lions lead Silhillians and Spartans by four points at the top, while Barkers need a minimum of two wins to draw Leamington, Pinley or Nuneaton Old Eds into the relegation battle.