Monday 2 March 2026 09:59
Newport Let it Slip at the Death
For the second game in a row Newport contrived to pluck defeat from the jaws of victory in the final minutes. With the game seemingly won at 27 – 14, two careless errors towards the end let the visitors in to steal the spoils.
As if this game wasn’t destined to be juicy enough as it was the return of two former Newport players in ex-club skipper, Connor Adams and experienced veteran hooker Liam Wordley who were named in the Stourbridge line-up, the latter named also as skipper, certainly added a bit more spice to the contest
Newport were granted the benefit of the slope for the first half and for a pleasant change it was good underfoot and there was little wind to speak of.
The first few minutes was rather messy with both sides struggling to settle before a high tackle by the visitors allowed Jack Ingram to scamper away after a quick tap penalty. Tim Waqadau, back in the side, looked to have blown a glorious opportunity when he failed to gather the pass with the line at his mercy but it mattered not as Port were playing a penalty advantage and when Billy Dinning put the kick to within five of the Stour line, Jake Goulson won the lineout which then led to Ollie Bird, also back in the side following a long absence, being driven over for the opening score after eleven minutes, Ingram adding the extras for Newport to lead 7 – 0
The visitors hit back immediately, however, when Port were penalised under their own posts. Rather than take the easy three, Stour opted for the scrum and although the home pack held firm a neat switch move in the backs saw them go in by the posts and tie it up at 7 – 7 with fifteen minutes on the clock.
John Tuia then took an attacking line out and put Fin Barnes away on a great line to get in behind the Stour defence but the chance was lost as they conceded the turnover penalty. Newport were calling the shots at this point. Ricky Bailey sliced through a gap in the visiting defence and fed Charlie Pugh who was up in support to set up position in the Stourbridge twenty-two. Wordley then wiped-out Chris Taylor and was sent to the bin to contemplate his actions, Ingram opting to add three points from the resultant penalty so it was now 10 – 7 with the first quarter completed.
Stour then missed a couple of opportunities themselves, scuffing a penalty shot well wide before Jake Kelly galloped through the home defence to set up an attacking option but George Perkins was on hand to execute a perfect “steal” and set off on a mazy run of his own before handing on to Tuia. His inside pass looked to have put Ingram in but as he was collared Ingram was able to hand on to Elliot Dolphin to finish a fine attack with a try by the posts, Ingram converting to make it 17 – 7 with thirty-four minutes gone. Wordley returned to the fray and Pugh won an important defensive penalty before the half came to a close with no further scores
Newport started the second period on the defensive having conceded a number of penalties but somehow they managed to survive before breaking down the right wing where Dolphin, Waqadau and Charlie Gamble all combined beautifully before Gamble chipped ahead for Ingram to win the race to touchdown. He couldn’t convert his own try but Newport led 22 – 7 and were looking reasonably comfortable with fifty-two minutes gone.
Stourbridge then began to exert some scrum dominance and with the Newport pack in retreat multiple phases created enough space for Dan Rundle to dodge his way over, the conversion reducing the arrears to 22 – 14 with around a quarter of the match still to play. Matt Hubbart, another who hasn’t featured for a while, replaced Barnes and Rhys Morgan came on for Taylor along with Llewellyn Evans who replaced Luke Kendall at prop.
Repeat penalties up the left- hand touchline then took Newport to within five of the Stour line. The initial drive was held but Perkins managed to get over at the second time of asking to put Port back in control at 27 – 14.
Or so it seems!? Newport then try to run it from the re-start and concede an interception try almost within seconds of their own score bringing the visitors right back into it, the converted score now making it 27 – 21 with eleven minutes left on the clock.
Five minutes later, play repeat, Stourbridge intercept again and are in under the posts for a converted try that sees the visitors lead for the first time in the match at 27 – 28. Newport have around six minutes to rescue the situation but despite some barrelling runs from Rhys Morgan to get the crowd going they failed to breach the Stourbridge line although in the final play with Newport having the drive on it is them that are rather controversially penalised much to the disbelief of most of those on or around the scene. Stourbridge take the tap and put it out of play to give them an important victory that brings them very much back into play-off contention.
For Newport the two bonus points mean they are still in the driving seat to secure second place, and thereby a home tie in the play-offs, but their chance of the title now seems remote