Monday 3 February 2025 12:47
North West 1
Sometimes There Are More Important Things in Life Than Rugby
Rossendale 17pts v Newport 6pts
(Match Abandoned after 31 Minutes)
Newport’s first visit to Rossendale proved eventful for all the wrong reasons last Saturday when the home team’s manager, Ian Jones, collapsed on the sidelines having suffered a cardiac arrest. Many players from both sides were visibly distressed but Newport’s Chris Taylor and Rossendale skipper Lewis Allen sprung into action to perform CPR for thirty minutes or so before two ambulance crews and HeliMed arrived on site to put him into an induced coma and transfer him to Blackburn hospital where he continues to be treated.
The game clearly couldn’t continue with referee Harry Bailey and the two captains agreeing to abandon the game.
For what it’s worth in the thirty minutes that were played Newport gave a good account of themselves, the lineout fragilities of recent weeks appear to have been rectified and playing up a stiff slope the visitors gave every indication that they could close the gap and make a game of it with the elements in their favour for the second period. Indeed, when the game was called to a halt it was when Newport had just been awarded a scrum inside the home twenty-two in what would have been a good opportunity to close the gap even further.
That said Rossendale are a classy outfit and looked dangerous every time they had the ball and clinical when setting up positions in the Newport red-zone. The visitors monopolised possession for large parts and George Perkins, Will Galbraith, Taylor and Uluaki Kale all made good ground across the gain line but without finding the cutting edge to break down what was in fairness a very resilient Rossendale defence. Newport’s points came through two Benny Elliot penalties (3mins, 18mins)
The day will not be remembered for it’s rugby or for the fantastic hospitality provided but for the actions of two young men who through their efforts have saved the life of a fellow human being. Whilst Ian remains in a critical condition we are hopeful that he will be fit enough to take his rightful place on the touchline when the game is replayed on 22nd February.
All at Newport wish Ian and his friends and family a positive outcome at this worrying time.
Meanwhile, Newport resume action with a tough home game against Manchester this coming Saturday, another re-arranged fixture following the postponement in January. Kick-off is at 2.15pm
Written by: Chris Wilde
