Monday 1 December 2025 14:46
It was February 2022 when Newport last visited their close neighbours producing what many still consider to be their most complete performance of modern times winning by fifty-five points to nil. If that is true then with the same opponents at the same venue last Saturday they ran it pretty close as Newport again claimed a convincing victory.
Only ten players remain from nearly four years ago, six on the Bridgnorth side and four in the Newport camp but the outcome was very much the same. Newport’s discipline was excellent, their defence impenetrable and their attack clinical when it needed to be. Simple stuff but mightily impressive when it all comes together.
There were changes in personnel after last week’s mauling of Nuneaton, Callum Cload went to full back with Tim Waqadau coming onto one wing and Billy Dinning on the other meaning Charlie Gamble would take his turn on the bench. In the pack, George Perkins reverted to his favoured back row position with Matt Hubbart returning at lock. Sam Gibson started at prop with Luke Kendall on the bench. Most pleasing of all was a spot on the bench for Uluaki Kale, returning from injury after a couple of months out of action.
Thankfully, the overnight downpour had abated and the entire game was played out in full sunshine following a warm and hospitable welcome from the hosts, pleased to see old rivalries resumed after a three-year break.
Newport had an early opportunity with a shot at goal but Elliot Dolphin pulled his attempt wide left across the face of the posts. Chance missed but Newport very much in the ascendancy. Good work from Joe Parkin and Hubbart was followed by a break from skipper Ricky Bailey but what looked like his scoring pass outside was intercepted by a Bridgnorth player on the retreat. They didn’t have to wait much longer, however, as after Parkin had just failed to get in at the corner they were awarded a penalty that gave them a line on the Bridgnorth five metre line – cue the catch and drive and it was Jake Goulson who emerged to claim the opening score, Dolphin’s conversion attempt hitting the post this time but they led 0 – 5 after fifteen minutes.
Bridgnorth then claimed the restart and won an immediate penalty when the visitors strayed off side, Elliot Murphy slotting what proved to be the home side’s only points of the day. With the penalty count against them being kept to a minimum Bridgnorth struggled to gain any territory or momentum so were forced to attack from deep, something the admirable Newport defence found fairly easy to cope with. Newport then had another drive on which the Bridgnorth pack managed to halt but when the ball was released out right Dolphin was stopped just short before Perkins crashed over to make it 3 – 10 after twenty-one minutes. Whilst they strived manfully the hosts just couldn’t get into the game and the large home crowd, normally most vociferous, were perhaps sensing that this wasn’t going to be their day.
Newport were going through the tight phases really well where John Tuia, Chris Taylor, Perkins, Hubbart and the entire front row of Tom Clarke, Mike Adams and Gibson were all carrying well and most importantly making sure possession wasn’t turned over too easily. This precision was rewarded moments later when space was created out right and Cload, always aware of the narrowest of gaps, cut through from twenty out and glided in under the posts for Dolphin to convert and give Newport a 3 – 17 advantage with twenty-seven minutes gone.
Newport had a couple of other half chances and continued to defend stoutly where Charlie Pugh was in his element leading the defensive effort whenever Bridgnorth tried to move it wide. With no further scores it remained 3 – 17 at the break.
If Bridgnorth were to get back into this game they needed to score first in this second period – it didn’t happen. Cload came close again and then Port looked to have added the bonus point try but were adjudged to have done a double-movement in the act of scoring so were duly penalised allowing North to clear the danger.
Newport then introduced their bench and after some more precision tight phases Waqadau found himself in acres of space out right and cantered in virtually unopposed. Cload, who had taken over the kicking duties, missed the conversion but Newport were totally in command at 3 – 22
There was some great defence again when North exerted some rare pressure on the Newport line. When it appeared that the hosts had actually broken the Port defensive line they were pulled back for “crossing” shortly before Bridgnorth were reduced to fourteen with a straight red issued for head contact.
It was all Newport now, as it had been for most of the afternoon to be fair, and there was somewhat of an inevitability when Kale forced his way over in typical forceful fashion, Cload converting to make it 3 – 29 with six minutes remaining.
Bridgnorth managed one last assault on the Port line but heroic defence from phase after phase kept them out. With the game won it would have been easy to concede but there is just as much satisfaction and pride to be gained from keeping sides out as there is from crossing the line at the other end.
Make no mistake this was a wonderful team performance that sent the travelling army of Newport support home very happy but not before they drank the Bridgnorth clubhouse almost dry!
On show now is a great togetherness, belief and no little skill in what is being produced on the pitch and this will be sternly tested when Bournville, the league leaders, visit Newport this coming Saturday. Kick off is at 2.15, not a game to be missed!