Blues in Pink always seem to raise their game on this great Charity weekend and Saturday was no different, Pink Blues kept the Pink win record intact on a warm Sunny afternoon.
Before the game the lunch was a sell out with lots dressed in pink, the auctions were a great success as were the raffles, halftime kicking competition and other fund raisers, a great day for a great cause, and lots of money raised
A big thank you to all the organisers and helpers who made it a great day

Blues kick off and put North Dorset under pressure but they manage to kick clear, the next few minutes are spent in midfield before Blues get a penalty in their own half which is kicked to touch Blues attack from their lineout getting into North Dorset’s 22 before a penalty lets North Dorset clear to touch on their own 22, lineout won North Dorset run but a knock on gives Blues a scrum still in North Dorset’s half.
Blue get a penalty at the scrum and another at the lineout deep in North Dorset’s 22, Blues take the scrum and their forwards pick and go before the ball is spread wide and Blues are tackled into touch, Lineout won North Dorset run the ball and get a penalty at the tackle which is kicked to touch still in their own half, they spread the ball wide left from the lineout but a forward pass gives Blues a scrum in North Dorset’s half.
Blues attack from their scrum and after several phases win another scrum just outside North Dorset’s 22, Blues spread play wide but cannot break North Dorset’s defence a knock on gives North Dorset a scrum just outside their 22, scrum won North Dorset kick into Blues half and they get a scrum when Blues knock on, North Dorset attack from their scrum and get a penalty which gives them a 5m lineout, their forwards try driving but good Blues defence holds them out and get them a penalty at the tackle which is kicked to touch, North Dorset steal the lineout and take play across the pitch, Blues manage to steal the ball at the tackle and kick, Blues have strayed off side so North Dorset kick to touch deep in Blues half.
Lineout won North Dorset attack but lose the ball in the tackle, Blues run the ball taking play into North Dorset’s half before conceding a penalty at the tackle, they kick to touch on Blues 22, lineout won they attack taking play across the pitch and back getting into Blues 22 before a knock on gives Blues a defensive scrum, North Dorset’s pack get a penalty at the scrum which is kicked to touch giving them a 5m lineout, their forwards maul and eventually get over to score, the conversion is wide, 0-5 30mins
Blues restart and mange to get hold of the ball and soon have a scrum in North Dorset’s half, Blues attack from their scrum taking play wide right then back in field, Kyle Doel breaking tackles and taking play into North Dorset’s 22, Blues keep the ball live and get a penalty which is kicked to touch giving them a 5m lineout, Blues forwards maul from their lineout getting over the line for Harry Waye-Branch to score, Dan Thorne slots the conversion 7-5 35 mins
Duncan Craigen on Jonny Lees off
North Dorset’s kick off is straight out so back for a Blues scrum on half way, Blues run from the scrum and get a penalty which is kicked to touch on North Dorset’s 22, lineout won Blues take play wide right and some great backs interplay results in Jamie Futcher releasing Ali Magee in North Dorset’s 22 and he is over to score, Dan Thorne adds the long conversion, 14-5 38 mins
North Dorset restart and soon get a penalty at the tackle, which is kicked to touch in Blues 22, lineout won their forwards maul getting over the line, Blues defence manage to hold them up and the half time whistle is blown

Half time brings the kicking competition for supporters, committee and youngsters raising money for the charity, some good and bad kicking on show, also the tackle bag hitting

North Dorset kick off the second half Blues gather and kick clear, North Dorset run at Blues taking play up to Blues 22 before a knock on halts their progress, Blues spread play wide from their scrum North Dorset get a scrum still in Blues half, scrum won North Dorset attack through several phases getting another scrum then a penalty which is kicked to touch in Blues 22. Lineout won North Dorset put pressure on Blues defence getting close to the try line and getting a penalty, they tap and go again putting Blues defence under big pressure, Blues manage to hold them up and the ref calls time and chats with both captains who then have a team talk.
Blues take the goal line drop out, North Dorset gather and run taking play close to Blues 22, Ben Hicks intercepts the pass and is gone running all the way to score wide left, a great solo try, Dan Thorne adds the conversion 52 mins 21-5
Will Osborne off Jonny Lees on

North Dorset restart Blues gather and run before sending a grubber kick through North Dorset’s defence a good chase keeps North Dorset in their own half, they get a penalty which is kicked to touch in Blues half, lineout won they take play wide left and get another penalty which is kicked to touch in Blues 22, lineout won their forwards maul and soon have a penalty scrum, North Dorset attack through numerous phase’s but cannot break through Blues defence, eventually Blues get a penalty at the tackle which is kicked to touch on their own 40m line, Blues attack from their lineout taking play into Nort Dorset’s half before conceding a penalty at the tackle, North Dorset kick to touch still in their own half.
Will Osborne on Harry Edwards off 62 mins

North Dorset attack from the lineout, Blues manage to steal possession at the tackle and put pressure on North Dorset’s defence getting a scrum, Blues attack from the scrum getting a penalty which is kicked to touch on North Dorset’s 22. Lineout won Blues attack before a crossfield kick is put up, Blues win the race and score, the ref brings play back for offside.
Alec McCormack on Sikeli Lewavakula off 67 mins

North Dorset kick to touch still in their own half, lineout won their forwards maul getting close to halfway before Blues manage to steal the ball getting a scrum when North Dorset knock on, scrum won Blues spread play left before losing possession in the tackle, North Dorset attack getting a penalty, they tap and go quickly getting another penalty, the kick is kept in by Blues but puts them under pressure, North Dorset manage to charge down Blues clearing kick which rolls over the dead ball line, Blues take the 22 drop out North Dorset gather and run the ball back at Blues, they get a penalty which is kicked to touch in Blues 22, lineout won their forwards maul before they spread the ball wide and get a penalty and Blues a yellow card. North Dorset take the scrum and spread the ball wide left to score in the corner, the conversion is wide, 21-10 75 mins

Blues restart North Dorset gather and after several phase’s take play back into Blues half, Blues manage to steal the ball and run back to halfway, North Dorset get a penalty at the tackle which is kicked to touch in Blues 22, lineout won their forwards maul, Blues defence holds firm and they get a penalty bringing the final whistle.
Blues defence has held out to get them a vital 4-point win and keep North Dorset at bay not letting them get a losing bonus point in this relegation battle
A great game of rugby hard fought by both teams, massive credit to North Dorset who kept pressure on Blues defence throughout the match, good luck for your remaining two games and hope to see you next season
Thanks to the ref who kept control of this vital match

MOM – Ben Hicks

Newbury Blues Squad
1-8, Ben Hicks, Harry Waye-Branch, Callum Varrall, Ashley Doel, Kyle Doel, Will Osborne, Jonny Lees, Harry Edwards
9-15, Harry Johnson, Dan Thorne, Sikeli Lewavakula, Ali Magee, Josh Bartlett, Harry Isaac, Jamie Futcher.
16-18, G Stewart, Duncan Craigen, Alec McCormack

Blues next Fixture is Sat 22nd March Away v Petersfield KO TBC

Blues 1st Papa John’s Cup game is April 12th away @ Old Centralians, Regional 2 South Shield - Round 1

Big thanks to the faithful Blues supporters your support is invaluable

Big thanks to our match day photographers Peter Branch whose photos can be found on Facebook
Newbury RFC Seniors Supporters Photography Page
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063526195463
And Ian Jack whose photos are on the Pitchero website

Big thanks to Kennet Radio for their support, https://kennetradio.com/category/sport/

Big thanks to the NWN for all their support and match reports

Big thanks to all our Player Sponsors and our Club Sponsors, your support is much appreciated