Newsome Season Imploded over the last 5 days
Going into the game against Wyke away on the Saturday in second place, 1 point behind Wyke, playing for the league title, it was a must win game to take the league title. Unfortunately, after the physical game the week before against Westgate, the Newsome squad was reduced further by injuries to 4 players, and many others playing wounded. Coach Phil Joseph was able to call on the services of 4 current U18 players who had finished their commitments to their team, into the squad.
On a heavy ground against a very well drilled Wyke team, Newsome failed to win the game going down by 27 points to 16. Performances from new boys Ben Cuttell, Josh Cuttell, Sam Dalby and Austin Barrowclough, were the highlight of the game, while a very under par Ben Feehan scored a outstanding individual try, it wasn’t to be Newsome’s day.
Last night, Newsome faced a resurgent Emley team, knowing that whoever won the game, would be promoted, Again, a further two under 18 players in Matthew Bravo and Jack Davis, joined the battle weary squad, while Emley, who looked fresher, after their game against Calder Valley at the weekend was declared a walkover.
In a tight game, where everybody gave their all, the game finished in a 16-all draw. Newsome unwisely at 14-16 down with 10 minutes to go believed that a draw would take them up, and converted a penalty. Only after the game to find out that a rarely used Pennine League rule stating that the earlier defeat by 5 points at Emley, meant that Emley were promoted over Newsome, although the league table shows Newsome second, with a points difference over Emley, over the season of more than 120 points.
A question must be asked how can the current rule be justified in such circumstances ?
As in any situation, there will be always be positives and negatives, Ok, Newsome will stay down in the second division a further season, to rival Slaithwaite, knowing that the bulk of the previous seasons under 18 squad, will be challenging the previously established open age team players for their places.
In retrospect, the massive mistake made by the referee at Staningley game resulting in a loss, much earlier in the season, and the high level of season finishing injuries to the Newsome squad have took their toll, on what can still be seen as a successful season, that finishes leaving the Newsome team in a much stronger position than when it started.