Sun 4 Nov 2018
This top of the table clash went the way of the leaders, St Mary’s Old Boys Ladies, who made it five from five at the expense of Newton, who hadn’t lost for well over a year.
The Bristol-based visitors adapted better than their opponents to the conditions, showing considerable handling skills in spite of the rain, wind and mud.
Newton tackled admirably all afternoon and did well to restrict St Mary’s Old Boys to only four tries. The first of these came as early as the fifth minute, when lively scrum-half Tamara Howells caught the Newton defence napping with a quickly taken short-range tap penalty.
Twenty minutes later, Howells tapped and went again, this time setting up a try for her flanker Victoria Shakespeare.
On the half hour mark, centre Joanna Smith – who had converted the first try - added a penalty for a 15-nil half time lead.
In worsening conditions, second half chances were few and far apart with St Mary’s Old Boys crossing twice thanks to full back Chloe Tucker and fly half Samantha Knighton.
Newton remained competitive throughout, but couldn’t break down a well-organised defence.
This rare defeat sees Newton drop down to third behind Chew Valley; they are one of three teams on 14 points.
Next up for Newton are to second from bottom Hucclecote on Sunday 18th November.
