Monday 16 February 2026 10:26
Firstly, a mention for the sterling work undertaken by Gary James, Neil Furniss and the rest of the Grounds team for getting this match on in the first place after the endless and unprecedented rainfall over such a lengthy period. Thankfully, Saturday proved to be a rain-free day and the match was able to be played in reasonably good conditions, albeit a bit soft underfoot.
Newport have won so many games this season by the odd score so it was, perhaps, only a matter of time before one went the other way and so it mapped out against a competent Banbury outfit, fresh off a 50-point mauling of Stourbridge and keen to avenge their last kick defeat to Newport back in October.
This loss hands back the advantage to Bournville in the race for the title but some other strange results at the weekend mean they still have a 10-point advantage over fourth placed Newent meaning a play-off spot is still very much well within reach.
Newport went uphill first half and whilst it was all Banbury early doors the defence was robust and resolute keeping the visitors out after several dangerous looking attacks. Port were struggling for both possession and position at this stage but they had a fleeting sortie into Banbury territory when George Perkins broke free up the middle but Newport were caught offside, not an uncommon occurrence throughout the afternoon’s play and something they will have to work on going forward, so the position was lost.
Ricky Bailey ended another dangerous attack when he was able to take out Quinten Blythe in the home twenty-two, the visiting full-back who proved to be a slippery customer throughout. The first meaningful attack for Newport came when Billy Dinning broke down the left touchline before switching the play to the right where after a chip to the corner Charlie Gamble was able to force the catcher into touch close to the Banbury line. Jake Goulson secured the line-out before Newport again took play to the left where they won a penalty, Elliot choosing to put it into the corner rather than take a shot at goal. Goulson again took the ball at the line-out where it was transferred to the back of the maul before Chris Taylor was driven over for the first score of the day after eighteen minutes, Elliot’s conversion attempt striking the upright.
Right from the re-start, Taylor then collected the ball and set Perkins away again but following a penalty to the left hand corner they were penalised at the line for obstruction, another good opportunity lost.
Banbury had some real “beef” in their pack in the form of Immanuel Togia-Setiu and Quade Leo who were frequent carriers in an attempt to wear down the Newport defence. One such “carry” resulted in a Banbury penalty and they decided to let Regan Botham have a crack at goal but the kick was both short and wide. Mike Adams then took a knock which saw the introduction of Llewellyn Evans at prop with Luke Kendall taking over the hooking duties.
Banbury then wasted another chance when they spilled the ball whilst crossing the Newport line but they put that right moments later when Blythe won the chase to touchdown after they chipped through, whilst playing a penalty advantage, to tie things up at 5 – 5 after thirty-seven minutes.
Playing up the slope, Newport will have been well-pleased to have restricted the visitor’s but things were to get better when Bailey made a great break from the re-start to set up a position under the Banbury posts. Newport disrupted the Banbury scrum on their own five metre line, the ball shooting out of the back and the ever-alert Jack Ingram scampering through to beat the defence to the touchdown. Elliot converted and Newport led 12 – 5 at the break.
Port started the second period well. Good carries from John Tuia and Fin Barnes took them to exactly where they needed to be, playing rugby in the Banbury half. All was going to plan then when Elliot put a penalty into the corner, Luke Kendall finishing off another catch and drive which made it 17 – 5 after forty-nine minutes, Elliot’s conversion attempt striking the post for a second time.
Despite the slope advantage it all went a bit wrong from hereon in. Newport were clearly on the wrong side of the referee resulting in a stream of penalties that put Banbury in territorial control. Two repeat penalties following Kendall’s try took Banbury to within ten of the Newport line and they then produced a well-executed catch and drive try of their own, the conversion of which made it 17 – 12 and gave Banbury real belief that they could snatch this.
Rhys Morgan replaced Taylor and Callum Bradbury came on for Perkins. Port won their own scrum but Banbury then ripped it free to give them a really good position. A chip to the corner then saw Banbury win the chase to score and with yet another conversion attempt hitting the post it was 17 – 17 with nineteen minutes remaining.
Newport then butchered an opportunity when with a three-man overlap they contrived to knock-on. That was to be their last chance as Banbury continued to look the more likely. Port survived an ambitious drop goal attempt from forty out but still continued to concede the bulk of the penalties, Botham nailing the winning score with just three minutes to go.
There was to be one last chance for Newport but they again knocked-on in the process and when Banbury won the resulting scrum they were able to put it out of play and claim what was in the end a well-deserved 17 – 20 victory.
This game carried an uncanny resemblance to the reverse fixture at Banbury when Elliot Dolphin was able to seal a one-point win for the visitors with the last kick of the game. Newport, and the pitches, now have a week’s rest before entertaining Stourbridge on the 28th February in what is sure to be a juicy encounter.
Written by: Chris Wilde