Monday 27 October 2025 12:22
Newport’s Director of Rugby Steve Dolphin and Head Coach Craig Ingram reacted to last week’s home defeat to Lutterworth by making some bold selection decisions ahead of the trip to Banbury. Out went experienced trio James Tideswell, Matt Hubbart and Benny Elliot whilst they also decided not to take a risk with Mike Adams who had been ill all week. With Oli Bird on an enforced concussion break Newport had little option other than to bring in Liam Wordley, who holds a very impressive CV but is now 46 years of age!
Ricky Bailey returned to skipper the side whilst Tim Waqadau moved out to the wing to replace Billy Dinning, who has been outstanding over recent weeks, following an injury suffered in training on Thursday. Young Sam Gibson came in at prop for his first time in the starting line-up and Callum Bradbury, fresh from a 4-week suspension, returned to the side in the second row, whilst Callum Cload made his first start at full back. Luke Kendall, Rhys Morgan and RAF recruit Joe Parkin were named on the bench.
A cold stiff wind was blowing sideways across the well grassed pitch which at times made it difficult for both teams, particularly at line-out time. There was a good gathering of Newport support in evidence but they had little cheer in a first half where they saw their side concede a multitude of penalties that meant they were always on the back-foot and other than a couple of rare sorties never made it out of their own half.
Newport were put under pressure from the off and after a series of penalty advantages and good hands Banbury crashed over by the posts for a converted score after just four minutes to lead 7 – 0. Newport’s troubles were compounded when Bradbury suffered a shoulder injury meaning his comeback lasted barely six minutes and he was immediately replaced by Morgan.
Gibson made a number of bustling charges as did Tom Clarke, Jake Goulson and John Tuia whilst Wordley produced an important steal at a Banbury attacking line-out. Morgan made good yards, as he always does, and Fin Barnes couldn’t quite hold on to the pass when he hit the line at a great angle but these “good bits” were few and far between as they continued to find themselves on the wrong side of the referee.
On the plus side Newport’s defence was far more organised, rugged and aggressive than it has been in recent weeks when they have conceded a flurry of points far too easily. Newport were fortunate to escape when the hosts hacked through after Newport spilled it on the Banbury twenty-two, Waqadau, who had an excellent game both in attack and defence, was back to save the day but was forced to concede a goal-line drop-out.
Wave after wave of Banbury attacks were thwarted by the excellent defence where man of the match Charlie Pugh set the standard. Luke Kendall, the front row replacement then came on to cover the back row when Morgan was withdrawn after a short cameo. Banbury, still picking up the penalties declined some easy points backing themselves to break the visiting defence which they managed to do eventually on thirty-one minutes when a quickly taken tap saw them run it left through the hands for winger Max Benson to round the cover and touch down by the posts to put them 14 – 0 up with Newport hardly having had a “sniff”
Banbury did manage to get over for another but were pulled back for “crossing” much to Newport’s relief. The visitors managed to hold out till half time to limit the damage to fourteen points and would be grateful not to be further behind after what had been a fairly one-sided affair but with Banbury not really having taken full advantage of a massive penalty count in their favour.
The first score of the second period would doubtless be crucial in the eventual outcome of the match. Newport attacked and a long pass from Cload put Waqadau clear down the left, his inside pass being intercepted but Elliot Dolphin collected the clearance and put Charlie Gamble into space where he made great yards before feeding Pugh who beat the last man to register Newport’s first points of the day. Jack Ingram struck an excellent conversion and what appeared to be a totally transformed Newport side were back in it at 14 – 7 with just forty-two minutes played.
A quick tap from Ingram, carried on by Clarke and Chris Taylor took them to within thirty-five metres where they won an attacking scrum. Newport were starting to look menacing but again conceded a penalty from what was an excellent attacking position.
The tide was beginning to turn and with the referee now looking a bit more favourably on the visitors it was they who began to pick up the penalties. Ingram and Kendall then departed to be replaced by the returning Morgan and debutant Parkin. With eighteen minutes remaining Newport were awarded a penalty twenty-seven metres out and Bailey had no doubt it was time to get some more points on the board, Dolphin duly obliging to reduce the arrears to 14 – 10
Morgan then barrelled forward before losing the ball in the tackle but redeemed himself immediately by winning a turnover penalty. There was then a good combination through Barnes, Tuia and Parkin but the latter’s offload to Goulson was adjudged forward.
A poor kick out of defence right down the full back’s throat allowed Banbury to claim a 50/22 via the corner flag, a position that would require some resolute defending. Yes, they kept them out but from an attacking scrum Banbury move it left and stretched over. Crucially, or maybe better described as fatally seeing as how things were to transpire, the relatively simple conversion was missed but Banbury still had a two-score advantage at 19 – 10 with just six minutes remaining.
Kendall replaced the effervescent Wordley who in completing a full seventy-five minutes had put in an amazing shift, probably a much longer one than he had envisaged when stepping onto the team coach several hours earlier. Newport were then able to mount an immediate attack on the counter, Wakadau and Tuia again combining down the left flank before feeding Gamble to finish, Dolphin converting to make it 19 – 17 going into the last rites
Morgan then dragged a Banbury attacker into touch where Newport then secured a penalty at a line-out on the Banbury twenty-two. Lo and behold we hear the referee’s whistle yet again but which way has the decision gone? It’s given to Newport and Dolphin has a chance to win it with a penalty fifteen in from touch. Dolphin takes his time, the home support starts booing, very impolitely but it matters not, Dolphin nails it and Newport take the win 19 – 20
Totally enthralling, a game that Newport never looked like winning until that very last kick but after a superb re-energised and determined second half performance.
The squad can now enjoy a week off to repair bodies and rest the minds before 8th November sees them make the short trip to Stourbridge, who still sit atop the league after their narrow win at Bromsgrove for what will surely be Newport’s biggest test so far. Based on the second half showing they will certainly be up for it and capable of pulling off a result