Monday 15 December 2025 14:34
Newport were treated to some superb hospitality after which there followed an equally absorbing contest that eventually went Newport’s way. That said, when you outscore the opposition by 6 tries to 3 you perhaps don’t expect to win by the narrowest of margins but with Newport conceding penalties Bromsgrove were happy to chip away at the scoreboard to keep themselves in contention right to the end. Five penalty goals conceded by the visitors tells it’s own story and discipline will need to be better if they are to keep up their challenge for the title.
More changes to the squad saw Callum Cload and Tim Waqadau return in the backs whilst James Tideswell was recalled at tight head and Matt Hubbart replaced Jake Goulson who was taken ill on the eve of the match. There was also an appearance on the bench for Will Roddy, home from Oxford University for the Christmas break where he was joined by Luke Kendall and Finn Barnes, interestingly all forwards.
Newport made the very best of starts when a number of controlled tight phases saw Uluaki Kale make good ground before putting Waqadau in at the left flag, Jack Ingram nailing an excellent conversion that gave the visitors a seven-point lead after just two minutes.
Bromsgrove were straight back at them, however, with some good, hard and direct carries primarily through veteran No8 Steve Leach who was a thorn in Newport’s side all afternoon. Penalised under their own posts Rhys Willams took the easy points to make it 3 – 7 after four minutes, a lead that was extended to 10 – 7 when Bromsgrove found themselves with extra bodies on the right having sucked in the majority of the Newport defence. Ellis Jenkins cantered over with Williams adding the extras.
A high tackle under the Newport posts gave Williams another easy three points in extending their advantage to 13 – 7 with fifteen minutes gone. Newport then claimed possession from their own re-start and Kale combined nicely with Chris Taylor to get Waqadau in again, Ingram’s kick striking the left-hand post but it was now 13 – 12 after just eighteen minutes with every indication that this was going to be a high scoring affair.
It was Leach again who burst through for the home side before Cload was binned for ten, Williams adding another three from the resultant penalty but when Grove conceded a penalty forty metres out an ever-alert Ingram took a quick tap and once he had beaten the first defender scampered away to score under the home posts for a fine opportunist try, tacking on the easy extras and Newport were back in front at 16 – 19 with twenty-three minutes on the clock. Yet again Williams takes the three when Newport stray offside and it’s all square with twenty-eight minutes gone.
A period of virtual calm then ensued before Newport get the drive on, forcing Grove back a full fifteen metres before conceding under their own posts, Ingram taking the easy three this time and Newport led again 19 – 22 with half time approaching. Williams had one last chance to send the teams in level but pushed his penalty attempt across the face of the posts.
Newport made another outstanding start to the second half. There was a great break from Waqadau that took them deep into Grove territory where again Newport got the drive on, Kale being held up to force the goal line drop-out. Bromsgrove were struggling to clear their lines and when Taylor won a turnover penalty they had another line ten out. The drive was held this time but when it was spun left Elliot Dolphin floated a pass that Billy Dinning did well to pluck out of the air and wriggle over to extend Newport’s lead to 19 – 27 with fifty minutes played.
Newport then failed to exit under pressure and Tideswell this time incurred the wrath of the referee and was dispatched to the bin. Will Tanner, taking over the kicking duties from Williams who failed to appear for the second half, added yet another Bromsgrove penalty to bring it back to a one score game at 22 – 27.
Grove then suffered a card of their own and with the Newport bench emptied a penalty to just seven out resulted in Taylor being driven over for their fifth try of the day, Ingram converting to make it 22 – 34 as we entered the last quarter. Newport then found themselves under some severe pressure and it was Harrison Osborne who crashed over by the posts, Tanner adding the easy conversion to haul in Newport’s lead yet again 29 – 34 with sixty-three minutes gone and all to play for.
Grove then put a penalty into the Newport half but Hubbart produced a great “steal” to give momentum back to Port, working their way upfield to win a scrum just five metres out. Newport were patient and precise, going through the phases well before creating enough time and space to give Waqadau his third to make it 29 – 39 with eight minutes left to play.
Another failure to exit from the re-start gave Grove an opportunity they weren’t going to waste and it was James Constantine who crashed over by the posts, Tanner’s conversion making it 36 – 39 and very much “squeeky bum” time with Newport left with a nervy four minutes to see out the victory. Port managed to keep the home side at distance and when Grove knocked on trying to counter the match was brought to a close with Newport securing a valuable five points to keep them in second spot behind Bournville.
An entertaining match but one where Newport will be asking themselves how they let Bromsgrove get so close after being dominant for most of the match but this is now history and they now move on to the last game before Christmas when they entertain Newent with kick-off scheduled for 2.15pm.
Those that made the trip to the Forest of Dean back in September will recall a game where everything that could go wrong did go wrong. An early injury to George Perkins that forced him off after just four minutes, a total of four yellow cards and the sending off of Callum Bradbury at the start of the second half, all of which resulted in a 33 – 29 victory for Newent as they scored two converted tries in the closing stages. What more motivation could you need in front of what is sure to be a large crowd in true Christmas spirit.