Tuesday 23 December 2025 15:55
Newport welcomed Newent to the Old Showground for the very first time last Saturday when the recent trend of incessant rainfall during the week leading up to the match prevailed yet again but a reasonably dry Friday ensured the game was never really in doubt given the durability of their well-maintained pitches.
It was an intriguing round of matches at the top of the table to take us into Christmas with 3rd playing 1st and 2nd playing 4th but as it turned out it was the top two who prevailed in both games.
Newport shuffled their cards once more with Charle Gamble and Benny Elliot returning to the squad having notched an incredible forty-six points between them in last week’s 2ndXV victory over Tamworth, whilst there was a 100th appearance for Matt Hubbart and a starting place for Luke Kendall.
Whilst there was more or less parity in the set piece with just the odd steal here and there it was Newport’s dynamic rolling maul that gave them the upper hand leading as it did to four of Newport’s five tries.
Newport were given the benefit of the slope first up but the breeze was, uncharacteristically, blowing up the hill providing some balance to any advantage that may be gained.
Just as they did last week Newport made a near perfect start, a couple of early penalties dispatched to touch by Billy Dinning gave them a line out just ten metres from the visitor’s goal line. The first indication of the aforementioned rolling maul was put into practice as Port got the drive on allowing Mike Adams to claim the first points of the day on six minutes, Jack Ingram converting to give them an early seven-point advantage.
Newent had barely laid a hand on the ball at this stage but when they did demonstrated that they too could be threatening in attack, albeit they were well contained by a resolute Port defence. After being constantly repelled the visitor’s took the option of an easy three points from in front when Tom Webb slotted a penalty to make it 7 – 3 after eleven minutes.
Newport applied good pressure from the re-start earning a turnover penalty that again resulted in an attacking line out close to the visitor’s line, a repeat exercise well executed saw Uluaki Kale the one to be driven over this time, Ingram again converting to increase the Newport lead to 14 – 3 with sixteen minutes played. Both teams tried to release their backs but in bitterly cold conditions it was never likely to be a day for the threequarters.
Newport’s third score was virtually identical to their second, Kale again the beneficiary of a well-controlled driving maul and with Ingram’s third successful conversion they led 21 – 3 with twenty-one minutes gone. The evergreen Chris Taylor was having an excellent game and like a fine wine seems to get better with age and just doing what appear to be the simple things extremely well. John Tuia was also his usual rampaging self and always difficult to haul down whilst the backs today were largely restricted to defensive duties, ones that they completed particularly well with Charlie Pugh and skipper Ricky Bailey at the forefront.
Newent were now trying to spread the play at every opportunity but found themselves making little headway before Kendall won a great turnover that allowed Port to clear any imminent danger. Newport should have scored their fourth, and bonus point try, but with numbers out left chose the wrong option.
Newent then had the final chance of the half, putting a penalty into the corner and producing a catch and drive try of their own, Ethan Allen claiming the score but with Webb’s conversion attempt dragged across the front of the posts, the teams went into the break at 21 – 8.
With the advantage of the slope Newent began to show why they have had such a successful season and clearly weren’t going to go down easily but again they could not demonstrate the necessary cutting edge to breach the home defence. Having weathered somewhat of a storm Newport again gained control and forced their way over for the fourth try, Hubbart claiming the score on his special day so after fifty-four minutes Newport had the bonus point in the bag and a healthy lead of 26 – 8.
Will Roddy, Finn Barnes and Elliot all came on from the bench. There was then some “handbags” in front of the dugouts following a scrummage, eventually resulting in a penalty to Newport, cue kick to the corner where a short line-out move saw Roddy in for the fifth to make it 31 – 8 with around thirteen minutes remaining.
Kale was then presented with a “Yellow” following a high tackle helping Newent set up some late pressure. A lovely cross-kick from Webb went straight into the hands of Adrian Connelly who, whilst not quite able to score himself, set up the position for some multiple phases that saw George Alvis force his way over. Webb couldn’t add the extras and the game ended 31 – 13.
An excellent all-round team performance that sees Newport go into the Christmas break well placed in 2nd spot just four points behind leaders Bournville and now crucially eight points clear of fourth place meaning they will be looking to secure a promotion play-off spot at the very least whilst the top spot still remains up for grabs with nine games still to be played where the usual twists and turns can surely be expectedLeague rugby recommences on 10th January when Port visit near neighbours Dudley Kingswinford who will doubtless be looking to turn round what has been a very disappointing season so far whilst Newport will strive to add five more points to their tally to keep their momentum going.