Monday 14 October 2024 13:11
Newport II 7 – 50 Sutton Coldfield
Newport 2nd XV welcomed table toppers Sutton Coldfield to The Old Showground on Saturday as they went hunting for their first win of the season.
The Newport side was bolstered by some injury returnees and a few new faces, but didn’t get the start to the game that they wanted. Kicking off with the wind at their backs Newport applied good pressure, forcing a clearance kick but a knock on and then an offside gave Sutton an early penalty and a chance to attack from a lineout which was scored, a missed penalty kick attempt from Udale who had another strong game from 50m out was soon followed by Suttons second try. Admirable effort from Lewis Warren charged down the second conversion but Newport were 0-12 down with only ten gone.
Regrouping well after stern words from captain Kendall, Newport began to apply pressure to Sutton Coldfield, Ollie Birds excellent carry earnt a pen and with it earnt Newport their first real attacking opportunity, a clean lineout well taken and a strong carry from Henry Holmes who had the bit between his teeth after a week of rest and recovery. Newport couldn’t quite hold onto the ball but quelled the counter immediately holding up the Sutton man in a maul and earning the scrum. Billy Parry went off for a head knock after a golf balled sized lump appeared on his eyebrow.
Newport scrummed strongly, but a knock on in the backs saw them packing down almost immediately again, from which a penalty was conceded and Sutton are forced to play out. Newports defence reacted strongly hits from captain Ali Heath and props Evans and Longville forcing Sutton to kick through and ending up in touch, more fantastic Newport defence earnt Newport a penalty and snuffed out the attack, and there was a feeling on the touchline that Newport were well up to the challenge despite a rocky start. However, Newports lineout faltered and Sutton were able to gain good yards carrying in midfield, Newport concede a free kick and almost immediately Sutton are away for their third try, unconverted the score stood at 0-19.
Henry Holmes made the first of many huge hits from the kick off, Sutton knock on and Newport scrum well and attack, earning a penalty. A stripped quick tap from Udale doesn’t affect Newports momentum and Sutton concede more penalties, Newport begin a march downfield culminating in Longville cleaning up an overthrown lineout, charging towards a lonely looking Sutton full-back like a newly uncaged Rhino and scoring for Newport, converted excellently by Barker. Score: 7-19.
It looked as if Newport were heading into the break only 12 points down, but Sutton force a penalty from the restart, kicking to the corner Warren jumps high and keeps the ball in-field, right into the hands of the chasing Sutton winger who gratefully dots down for their bonus point try with 44 minutes gone, unable to convert its 7-24 at half time.
Uphill into the wind and driving rain for the second half, Newport were well aware of the challenge that lay ahead. Sutton kept them pinned in their 22 practically from the get go, great defence and turnovers bought Newport the time to clear, but were unable to get further than the 22 and Sutton continued to apply the pressure. A penalty conceded at the scrum and Newport were once again under their posts after a converted Sutton try.
Another monstrous tackle from the kick off by Henry Holmes kept Sutton under pressure, although soon after the Ying to Henrys Yang saw him penalised for some less than complimentary comments directed at the referee, reversing a Newport penalty into a Sutton one and Sutton breaking away and scoring again. 7 – 36 the score. Newport, to their immense credit never let their heads drop and fought hard for the entire 80 minutes, stringing together some phases and looking cohesive in attack, strong carrying from all the forwards including the newly introduced Ollie Chambers who as usual was doing his best impersonation of Scrappy-Doo, and keeping the Sutton defence occupied.
Sutton were however, up to the challenge. Despite dogged defence from the Newport side, particularly Toby Egerton who despite the number 9 on his back was running around tackling and hitting rucks like prime Jacques Burger albeit with less hair, Sutton scoring two more tries to reach their half century.
Newport were not able to enter Suttons 22 until around the 77 minute mark, where after an excellent carry down the wing from within the Newport half by 2nd XV debutant Ollie Thomas saw the wind carrying a Sutton clearance kick all the way beyond Newports dead ball line. Newport were gifted a midfield scrum just within the Sutton 22, but were turned over. With one more roll of the dice Sutton tried an up and under, snuffed out by Holmes who then tried his hand at amateur dentistry with his attempted kick through (best wishes to the Sutton player for a speedy replacement tooth) and some 82nd minute entertainment winding up his opposite man, the referee blew the final whistle.
While the scoreline is not complimentary to Newport, in Sutton Coldfields captains own words it was not necessarily reflective of the game. A hard fought physical battle where Newport never shied away nor let their heads drop, there is much to be proud of. Sutton were quick to seize any opportunity given to them, and with a strong set piece and defence deserved their win and a place at the top of the table. Newport can be confident that as this second team continues to develop they will be able to make a closer game of it when the two sides meet for the reverse fixture later in the season.
Tries: Longville
Cons: Barker
Man of the Match: Luke Kendall
Match report by Ben Turner
