Newton RFC Holds Firm in High-Intensity Clash Against Ceres

Wellington | Carlo Small | 24 March 2026

The atmosphere at Newton Park (Bombela Park) this past Saturday, March 21, was electric as Newton RFC secured a hard-fought 39–29 victory over a resilient Ceres Rugby Club. The win keeps Newton’s perfect record intact—three wins from three—propelling them to third on the log, while Ceres continues to search for their first win of the season, sliding to tenth.

Newton’s victory was built on a clinical first half. Flyhalf Natanael Young delivered a masterclass in tactical kicking, consistently finding grass and putting his runners into space. By the time the halftime whistle neared, Newton had surged to a commanding 19–3 lead.

However, the game of rugby is never won in forty minutes. Ceres, known for their intimidating forward pack, dominated the scrums and rucks, clawing their way back into the contest during a fierce twenty-minute spell after the break. However, this was not enough to shift the game in their favor. The home team stuck to their game plan and sealed the victory through consistent game management.

Moments of Magic

Gilroy Philander Scoring for Newton RFC

The "Play of the Match" belonged to the halfback-fullback connection. Scrumhalf Damian August and fullback Gilroy Philander exploited the blindside with surgical precision. August executed a perfectly weighted stab-kick, which Philander gathered at pace, dancing past the Ceres wing and fullback to ignite the home crowd.

Rowan Gordon earned the Man of the Match honors. His performance was a defensive clinic; Gordon was seen making "match-saving" tackles, returning to his feet instantaneously to contest turnovers, and piercing defensive lines with blistering runs.

Room for Improvement

Despite the win, Newton Chairperson Kenneth Williams noted that the work is far from over. The Newton lineouts struggled against the Ceres giants, an area Williams confirmed coaches will prioritize during this week's practice. Adding to the concern is an ankle injury to captain Colin April, whose leadership will be missed if he faces a stint on the sidelines.

Reflecting on the opposition Mr Williams said, "Ceres never lay down. They showed immense character. They are a side that just needs to 'click' for things to fall into place."

Newton will head to Ceres this coming weekend where they will face Delicious in a mouthwatering clash.

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