Northampton Old Scouts 28 - Nuneaton 27

The Nuns travelled to Northampton Old Scouts looking to put the disappointment of last week’s defeat behind them as they took on the early season league leaders. Changes to the team saw a debut for new signing Ben Dawes at tight head, Elliott Brown had a late positional switch from wing to back row after Augy Clarke broke down on the way, Tom Smitham and Harry Beverly came into the backline.

The Nuns kicked off into the breeze and in the opening stages of the game controlled some possession and put the hosts under some pressure around their 22m put couldn’t convert into points. The hosts broke clear and after a midfield off side penalty was awarded they opened the scoring on 11 minutes with a straight forward penalty kick, 3-0.

From the kick off the hosts were caught offside themselves this time and a kick was put to the corner. Lineout ball was secured and a maul set up, as the Nuns worked closer another infringement was penalised and again the ball was sent to the corner. Lineout ball secured and after a few phases the ball was moved to fly half Lucas Brindley who shimmied and crossed the line for a try to the side of the posts which he dually converted to give the Nuns a 3-7 lead on 15mins.

The Nuns carried on to have some dominance at set piece and worked the ball into the host territory but couldn’t push for further points. Old Scouts had a line out on the half way then after a phase and a missed tackle, they broke up the middle of the pitch and finished off for a try under the posts to lead 10-7 on 28mins.

This lead was extended to 13-7 just a couple of minutes later after a break down penalty was converted into 3 point from the boot.

The Nuns got back into the game and retook the lead on 38mins when after intercepting the ball just outside their own 22m they took the ball deep into Old Scouts territory. The ball was recycled a couple of times and Ben Dawes crashed over for a debut try which was converted, 13-14.

The host finished with some pressure at the end of the half which earned them a penalty which they kicked to take a 16-14 half time lead.

The second half started well for the Nuns and they retook the lead on 44mins. After some phase play around the 22m a penalty was awarded for a high tackle 5m from touch which Brindley struck sweetly to take the score to 16-17.

Back came the hosts again, after some Nuns pressure they got themselves up the pitch then put a high kick which wasn’t dealt with around the Nuns 22m. Having turned over the ball they had a 5m scrum from which they moved the ball out for their centre to split through and score under the posts. The conversion took the score to 23-17 on 51mins.

From the kick off the Nuns came firing back and were pressuring the host on their 22m. From a strong scrum the ball popped out the back of the scrum and Danny Southall gathered the loose ball. As they pressured the home line a loose ball came from a ruck and the hosts picked it up and with a pass went the length of the pitch to score in the corner and take the score to 28-17 after 55mins.

The Nuns were keen to get back into game and from the kick off, old Scouts kicked long. Harry Beverley caught near half way a returned it well taking the ball deep into the 22m and offloaded inside to James Lloyd who couldn’t hold the ball with the try line in his sights.

On 62mins, the Nuns had a lineout which was secured and the ball moved into midfield. As Elliott Brown was tackled he was taken beyond the horizontal and the host’s flanker was yellow carded. From the penalty Brindley slotted the penalty to bring the score to 28-20.

The Nuns now pushed on to claw back the score board. As they started to create pressure they were awarded a scrum penalty on 70mins. The ball was put into the corner and from the resulting lineout catch and drive; Toby Dearden appeared from the bottom of the maul having crossed the line with Brindley adding the extras. 72mins gone with the host 28-27 up.

The Nuns pushed on and from a centre field scrum, Tom Smitham broke up field. The ball was recycled a number of times. The ref then, correctly, stopped play for a home injury. Play restarted with a Nuns scrum on the 22m and 2 minutes left. The ball was fed and from the pressure a penalty was awarded. The hosts were then marched back a further 10m for back chat. Lucas Brindley stepped up to take the kick, but on this occasion he struck the post. The ball was re-gathered but then turned over a couple of phases later and the hosts cleared the ballot take the game 28-27.

This was a game where Nuns dominated possession and territory against a side that showed their attacking threat when they had it. There were enough scoring opportunities created to be encouraged about and the set piece was dominant. Work to cut out some final play errors to needed but confidence can be taken from a lot of the play.

1 James Redman 2 Toby Dearden 3 4 Rudi Reid 5 James Lloyd 6 Elliott Brown 7 Dan Southall 8 Todd Bullions 9 Tom Smitham 10 Lucas Brindley 11 Harry Beverley 12 Tom Eales 13 Travis Bennett 14 Ryan Southall 15 Stewart Davies; 16 Fin Aherne 17 Huw Thomas 18 Max Carter