C. cox
D. seabrook
G. Lawarence
Newi�s rugby league team suffered a second straight defeat in the Cheshire division of the student rugby league, against a vastly experienced and large squad of Chester University. Once again struggling for number n.e.w.i started the game with a squad of 14 players with the opposition having a squad of 21 players it was a miss match from the beginning,
The game did not start greatly with Chester scoring from their first set of six, however, heads did not go down and straight from the restart, the ball was one back, in the first tackle for newi to take the ball deep into Chester�s half, this lead to a try from prop Dan Seabrook going over in the last tackle. It looked like n.e.w.i where up for the fight, but Chester exploited newi�s weakness� out wide scoring a number of tries before the half time whistle, leaving the score 30-4 at half time.
Newi�s problems continued into the second half with Chester once again exploiting the wings and it looked like the score may go into triple figures, only for newi to show great fighting spirit with all the forwards taking the ball up well and making hard yards, and making space for Edwin Roberts to make runs through the defence, This led to two tries in quick section with an explosive burst from lose forward Geoff Lawrence, and a trade mark try from Chris Cox. Despite the score line newi,s defence stood strong with tackling from m.o.m Andrew Meadows, Graeme shepperd, Alan Hardy, Gwion Hughes frustrating the opposition. N.e.wi can only take experience from these hard games, and Captain Graeme shepperd is sure the team can have a great year playing and encourages an student at newi interested in trying rugby to come down to training at 4:30 at newis sport centre.
C.Cox (5)
A.Hardy (2)
A.Meadows
E.Roberts
NEWI inflicted an excellent away defeat on Bangor University last Wednesday by a dominating display in the forwards and slick running rugby in the backs. Chris Cox got the pick of the tries by scoring 5, the pick of his try�s his last a great supporting run paid dividend when winger Gwion Hughes superbly off loaded the ball in the tackle for Chris to run in from the half way line under the sticks.
NEWI started strongly and they were running the game in the first 20 minutes thanks to guidance and control from Captain Graeme Shepherd this enabled NEWI to pick up 4 quick tries from Chris Cox scoring his hat trick and strong running from Alan Hardy getting him 1 try. NEWI then got complacent and let in Bangor for a soft try. Before the end of the half NEWI were on top again with Andy Meadows scoring after great ball handling by Jordi Gibert and Ben Cheesbrough let the roaming loose forward pounce on poor defending and get his only try of the game.
As the second half kicked off the NEWI forwards set up excellent position on the pitch with their strong and relentless running, this gave way to the NEWI backs who were carving up the Bangor defence all game. Quick ball from the play of the ball released the pace of the NEWI backs with Ben Cheesbrough and Graeme Shepherd linking up excellently to put Edwin Roberts in the corner. Chris Cox picked up two more trade mark tries as he crossed over twice from short range. Discipline let Bangor in for another converted try as NEWI�s defence was in disarray. NEWI got back on track and strong running forward Alan Hardy opened up the Bangor defence from a penalty and strolled over to wrap up the game. Edwin Roberts was unlucky with the boot all game getting 4 out of nine kicks.
Thanks have to go to the NEWI substitutes who were patient but finally got their turn and didn�t let the team down at all with debutant Simon showing great character when he came on and Franck tackling really well.
