NHSOB suffered their 1st real defeat of the season to a well drilled and very skilled Bridgend side. Bridgend began strongly and from the off they unleashed wave upon wave of attacks on the Old boys defensive line. Within 8 minutes Bridgend were 4 - 0 up and were cruising.
The Old Boys looked shocked and it took a weaving run by Connor Bowen-Downes to get their 1st score of the game. That woke Newport up and they began moving the ball across the line and opening up gaps in Bridgend’s defence. NHSOB began working through the phases and got their rewards when Harvey Smith received the ball after some excellent supporting running and touched down for the Old Boys 2nd score of the third but it wasn’t enough to stop Bridgend taking the 1st third 7 - 2.
The 2nd third went the same way. Even with Spenser Smith showing his usual commitment Bridgend exerted their dominance and it took an excellent individual run from Steffan Owen and a great team effort which led to Liam McDonald touching down to get points on the board with the 2nd third finishing as the 1st , Bridgend winning 7 -2.
As the last 3rd began the Old Boys came out fighting and they stepped up a gear. Led by captain and man of the match Elliot Williams NHSOB took the game to Bridgend. With the ever dependable Thomas Brenan showing strength in defence and the players displaying excellent team spirit they attacked from the off and Ellie Robinson touched down to put the Old Boys 1 up. Bridgend responded with 2 scores of their own but some dogged attacks and a determined team effort led to Dylan Pollock scoring a brace for the Old Boys to go 3 - 2 up. Again Bridgend hit back twice to take the score to 4 - 3 but NHSOB didn’t give up. They pressed hard and moved the ball well across the line and it paid off when Liam McDonald touched down to draw the scores level.
As it looked to be ending in a draw and the last play was underway Bridgend turned the ball over and sprinted for the line to score what was the winning try leaving the final score 5 - 4 to Bridgend. A fantastic performance by Bridgend and a great team building exercise for the Old Boys who will most definitely learn from this loss and come back stronger.
