Friday 27 September 2024 10:30
21/09/2024
Newport seconds returned to the showground in round 3 searching for the season’s first win but even a break for a passing storm couldn’t break the losing streak.
Holmes got the team off to a good start, planting the opposition 2 on his arse from kick off, a tip from Tuner to Heath sent the team rumbling up the pitch, the team looks to be off to another promising start. But the back and forth starts earlier than Newport would have liked, strong carries from Spartans sends the home side all the way back to their 22, their big players being troublesome to bring to a halt. Udale gathers a well read intercept and back up the pitch they go only to be turned over after a few phases.
Newport capitalise frequently from a rather wonky Spartan lineout and lady luck seems to be with Newport, Thackeray gathering a fortunate bounce from kick tennis, the passage leaves NP in a good attacking position from a scrum. Tagg and Peregrine show off their dancing feet to send Turner over for the first try, Barker converts, 7-0.
The opposition 2 must have upset Holmes as he sits him on his arse from KO again- the energy seems to be with the home side. Pugh in the centres makes a good carry, getting stripped and re-stripping. But the ominous clouds want to have their say; rain begins and the ball gets scrappy. A closer game suits the oppositions dominant scrum, and after smashing their way to the 5m their pressure causes NP to drop the ball over their own try line for a free try. Warren charges… still converted from their 10 who had a great day from the tee.
With the rain descending harder the game devolves into a gladiatorial battle. Taylor makes a good run up the pitch but despite his best efforts the ball returns with hard carries quickly. The side lost Holmes to a yellow card just before the game is paused for the lightning storm.
The words from Mike and Lippy at half time must have worked as NP make a good start with a penalty kick converted from Barker, 10-7. Unfortunately the positive start is soon stunted when missed tackles let the Spartans in for a quick return score and penalty conversion. NP respond with another penalty shot at goal converted from Barker 13-15. Finally some good phases of possession; Taylor carries from the back allowing Turner and Lindsey to tip through the defence. Methani makes a big difference at scrum time and carries strong too.
Despite a conversion from Spartans, 18-13, NP are still capitalising on their frequent errors. Weston brings some much needed physicality to the back row but his match commentary leaves much to be desired, marched 10. Regardless, NP now have their opponents pinned in their half, good kicking from Udale and Tagg deny escape and yield a 50-22. Hands from back row Pugh almost see the side through but they just can’t quite break the solid defence. Captain Heath who has taken a battering leaves the field, definitely leading from the front with his trademark physicality.
Newport can’t crack the egg on this occasion, senseless penalties give Spartans a shot at goal, converted 21-13 putting any hopes of a comeback out of reach. The team will feel tender after the encounter, MoM Udale and his team of backs showed great promise when they had the ball. The screw will need to be tightened up front when the team faces Stafford away next week.
