Match report: New Milton RFC stage dramatic comeback to seal second Hampshire Counties One victory of the season with 29-27 win over Trojans RFC
NEW Milton finally got the reward they deserved after weeks of much-improved displays, picking up their second win of the season after staging a dramatic comeback on Saturday.
It has been a miserable campaign for the league’s lowest-placed side, who last won on the opening day of the season, but they gave their supporters something to cheer with a remarkable come-from-behind victory.
“The game itself was good”, said New Milton scrum-half Dalton Thomas. “Our backs worked well and spread the ball wide – it was coast-to-coast rugby.
“Our forwards dominated the set pieces, and our scrums were always going forward, which gave me at nine a solid platform to release the backs who broke the game line every time. The line-outs were also strong; we were winning our throws and stealing a strong percentage of theirs.”
Thomas added: “Having the three Colts bolster the first team really has been a breath of fresh air. After losing games the way we have recently, we really have felt like nothing has gone our way.
“Thankfully, most things clicked Saturday, and with a refereeing performance that made the game flow, we got what we deserved: the five points.
“Next season is going to be a big rebuild, and the youngsters coming up will make it very exciting.”
The hosts, Trojans, who have themselves been in abject form, led the contest 27-8 at the break and looked on course for a routine win. However, New Milton had other ideas.
The New Milton players showed true grit and determination to battle back, with Nathan Smith, playing at centre, scoring a try in the final moments of the game, levelling the score line at 27-27.
The drama was far from over. With the weight of the world on his shoulders, scrum-half Thomas lined up his kick and executed it perfectly, slotting the conversion to seal the win at the final whistle.
“The final kick – blimey”, Thomas concluded. “I actually missed a penalty in the same position at the end of the first half, which was in the back of my head.
“I asked the ref how long was left when placing the ball for the conversion, and the way he replied, I knew it was the last kick. In all honesty, I didn’t think about it too much and got the kick out of the way.
“I instantly turned around, and the lads were all cheering; it was such a relief and sealed the win. It was an all-round team performance, and everyone chipped in for the win!”
New Milton’s man of the match, Max Russell, finished with two ties, while Nathan Smith and Thomas grabbed the others. Thomas was also responsible for three conversions and a penalty.
New Milton have a challenging task ahead of them, hosting runaway league leaders Havant seconds, who have won all 20 of their matches, next Saturday.
The club’s final match of the season sees them take on Guernsey seconds – the side New Milton defeated 17-10 on the opening day of the season – away from home on the 5th of April.
New Milton: H. Chung, H. Duell-Merritt, G. Shortland, J. Corbett, L. Thompson, R. Pearce, G. Warne, T. Hawkins, D. Thomas, J. Eldridge, M. Mycroft, A. Bolter-Jackson, N. Smith, N. Miller, M. Russell. Subs: L. Booker, R. Richardson, A. Cross.
