Newport posts that gave them their half time lead of 0 – 26 which would surely be
unassailable.

With the re-start the game took a turn with a noticeable shift in momentum as with
nothing to lose Newport threw everything at it Jake Reynolds racing over in the left-
hand corner and Jack Ingram, on his 50 th cap, adding an excellent conversion to
begin what might be an improbable comeback at 7 – 26. Spearheaded by skipper
Ricky Bailey, who made several incisive breaks meant Newport had their chances
for sure but a combination of wrong choices and a cruel bounce that denied Benny
Elliot perhaps summed up why this wasn’t going to be Newport’s day.

As the last quarter approached Newport began to dominate and on sixty-three
minutes Jake Goulson was driven over from short range, Elliot tacking on the extras
to make it 14 – 26 but just as the door appeared to be opening Stour slammed it shut
in their faces with a try in the corner to extend their lead to 14 – 31 but Newport stuck
at it and despite Tim Waqadau’s yellow card more dominance saw John Tuia wriggle
through to add a third try, Elliot’s conversion attempt brushing the upright and going
wide but at 19 – 31 they were still within two scores but running out of time.

Home hearts were then lifted when following Elliot’s penalty to eight metres out a
clever move at the front of the line saw Chris Taylor go over and with Elliot’s
conversion proving good made it 26 – 31 with seven minutes left on the clock but just
as Newport dared to dream Stour wrapped it up with a try in the right-hand corner
that made it 26 – 36 at the final whistle.

True, this was a disappointing way to end what has been a fantastic season but it
has been one of growth and development where virtually half the team are still
teenagers and will have learned a great deal from this experience.

Much of this can be put down to Director of Rugby, Steve Dolphin, who has guided
and overseen this development across all teams and to the coaching team led so
admirably by Head Coach Craig Ingram. There is much to look forward to and we
can’t wait to see this team back in action next September where we will doubtless
make further steps in the right direction.

The post Newport 26pts v Stourbridge 36pts appeared first on Newport Salop RUFC.

The post Newport 42-24 Burton appeared first on Newport Salop RUFC.

From the first moments, double tackles and terrific linespeed from Ed Udale and Henry Holmes set the tempo of Newport’s defence. And whilst Shrewsbury’s flowing move to the left curtailed with the ball sailing harmlessly out of play, Newport’s tight line looked remarkably assured. But when a quickly taken penalty, only yards outside their own 22, resulted in a Shrewsbury interception, Newport were turned inside out; Shrewsbury rounding under the posts.

Newport responded with some attacking threat with useful carries but Shrewsbury’s backs had speed in abundance, causing Newport real difficulties. Billy Parry and Rob Taylor managed to usher Shrewsbury’s fullback out of play and Shrewsbury’s winger at full tilt, was unceremonially halted. Alas the force and variation of attack inevitably led to Shrewsbury doubling their lead.

James Lohan hefted forward to create an opening which Jamie Robinson exploited with a sharp blast into midfield. Harry Peregrine, in support, maintained Newport’s advance with Holmes also then battering forward and with the recycled ball received on the left wing, Taylor completed Newport’s best spell and opened their scoring.

Newport now toiled to prevent Shrewsbury gaining any further points. Jack Charnock’s tryline tackle and hold-up, Robinson’s recovery tackle forcing the knock-on and Shrewsbury again sailed a dangerous pass to their winger out of play. But countless tackles at the tryline to deny Shrewsbury showed a steely determination which almost saw the half out. Of course, Shrewsbury achieved their third with only moments left before the whistle.

Newport initiated attack mode for the second-half but needed some time to click fully into gear. Once Udale snatched possession from Shrewsbury’s marauding second-row giant and Robinson again instinctively launched the counter-attack, Newport’s disjointedness seemed to disappear. Creeping their way forward, Parry’s pick-up at the rear of the scrum and unstoppable charge brought more points but more importantly, genuine belief.

Demitrius Constantinedes’ short lineout to Alastair Heath caught Shrewsbury napping and suddenly Newport were hammering at the door again. Then, giving the ball some flight, Newport whizzed left. Udale’s catch, change of direction and power to the tryline, under the posts, giving Kyle Smith a decent target and Newport just four points adrift.

Shrewsbury though sensed Newport’s revival and stepped up to the challenge. Newport, missing touch from a penalty deep in their 22, allowed Shrewsbury to re-pressurise Newport’s ragged defence with several phases eventually seeing them re-establish an eleven-point lead.

Despite there being plenty for Newport to go at, uncertainty and probably fatigued threatened to derail their efforts. A turnover lineout and further missed pass encouraged Shrewsbury to bully Newport toward submission. However, Taylor’s forty-yard spree, gaining huge territory, reinvigorated Newport. Chris Lindsey asserted control at Newport’s lineout, Smith found Taylor who in turn invited Ollie Chambers to dash over, earning Newport a bonus point and a losing point.

With a makeshift squad against a strong, organised Shrewsbury, to come away with two points can only be seen as a huge positive for Newport Second XV. However, most importantly, their promising attacking performance in the second half should build belief and confidence. Indeed, in retrospect, their battling first-half determination to keep themselves in the game and provide a platform to build their second-half should not be under-estimated.

The post Newport 24-28 Shrewsbury appeared first on Newport Salop RUFC.

Newport’s final away league match saw them travel to League champions Bournville who as well as clinching the title last weekend also boasted a 100% home record, whilst with only one defeat on the road all season Newport had the most wins away from home.

Newport’s continuing front row crisis with no less than 9 props either injured or unavailable meant that Jack Wells (259 1stXV appearances) and Tom Cowell (207) were both dragged out of retirement to fill the gaps in the squad caused by injuries and unavailability. The plan was probably to play half a match each but when Tom Clarke, their only remaining recognised prop, was forced off after just three minutes with a shoulder injury those plans were thrown into chaos. Both Cowell and Wells went on to complete the whole match and performed like the true gladiators they are throughout.

Not unsurprisingly the visitors were completely dominated when it came to scrum time but the rest of the play went Newport’s way with their defensive line speed, commitment and ferocity constantly bringing an end to Bournville’s attacking intentions.

Newport, shining bright in yellow, kicked off in icy cold conditions and with a near gale blowing straight across the artificial pitch. It was the home side who exerted the early pressure but Newport’s defence was resolute, so when Bournville overthrew at an attacking line-out Ricky Bailey pounced on the loose ball, breaking to half way before feeding the lively Jake Reynolds who raced away before chipping inside the cover for Jack Ingram to gather and go in by the posts for the opening score, to which he also added the conversion to give Newport a 0 – 7 lead after seven minutes.

Dominant at the scrum and drawing penalties Bournville then set up a catch and drive, rolling on in controlled fashion over fully twenty metres for Clarkson McCleod to touchdown, Jacob Fewtrell adding the extras and tying things up at 7 – 7 after sixteen minutes.

The home side struggled to put any concerted attacks together as the Newport defence continued to force them into handling errors or they would lose the ball in contact. Newport still looked the more likely and after a repeat set of penalties that allowed Billy Dinning, who had an outstanding afternoon, to put them into the home twenty-two. Line-out secured Newport were patient, going through several controlled tight phases before George Perkins muscled his way over for Ingram to convert again and restore their seven-point advantage at 7 – 14 after twenty-seven minutes. Bournville then worked their way into the visitor’s twenty-two but more great work at the breakdown, where Finn Barnes, John Tuia and Olly Bird excelled, turned over possession and Dinning and Reynolds were away down the left flank, Bailey eventually held up over the line forcing the goal line dropout.

Bourns had one last chance before the interval but it was Perkins who turned it over this time and Ingram was able to put the ball out to ensure Newport went in at the break with their seven-point advantage intact.

There was no doubt that Newport would have expected a reaction from Bournville in their efforts to go through the season unbeaten at home but the visitors added to their score almost from the off when Tuia burst through some weak tackling and won the race to the corner to make it 7 – 19 with only a minute played of the second period.

Bourns continued their scrum dominance but failed to make it count as they came up against more staunch defence from Newport. Chris Taylor, another with over 200 caps to his name had another excellent game – is there anyone better around this level at tidying up ball at the back of a retreating scrum?

Dinning then pulled off a fine try-saving tackle and as was the case for most of the afternoon Newport were first to the breakdown where Tuia won the turnover penalty to relieve the danger.

Bournville were still trying to attack but were now becoming frustrated with their lack of progress and when they again spilled it in contact Elliot Dolphin gobbled up the loose ball and put in a superb 50/20 that took them to within five of the home line. Newport secured their own throw in and after several more patient phases Cowell peeled off the advancing maul to plunge over. Conversion missed but Newport now led, with the four-try bonus point secured, at 7 – 24 with fifty-six minutes on the clock.

RAF recruit Tom Clifford, previously with Chinnor, replaced Barnes and immediately won a turnover penalty before Dolphin and Charlie Pugh broke up yet another Bourns attack, Dinning’s kick to the right-hand corner seeing Bird and Jake Goulson exchange passes at the front of the line-out for Goulson to add another score and put the game well and truly out of Bournville’s reach at 7 – 29 with just thirteen minutes left to play.

Entering the final stages, Wells’s afternoon was cut short by a few seconds when he was yellow-carded in the Red-Zone, Bourns managing to work the ball left for Kieran Henderson to cross for what was nothing more than a consolation score, Fewtrell’s conversion ending the contest at 14 – 29.

This was Newport at their very best, all the more remarkable given their stretched resources up front but a perfect example of what can be achieved with spirit, determination and togetherness, attributes all shown in abundance in a performance that will live long in the memory.

That said, over the course of the season the league table doesn’t lie and Bournville have proved themselves to be the best side in the division over the twenty-two games when the league programme ends on 11^th April. Everyone at Newport offers them our congratulations and wishes them the best of luck in their immediate return to Nat2 next season.

Whether Newport can join them remains to be seen in what will be a very testing play-off programme. With this result they have already secured home advantage on 25^th April against either Stourbridge or Newent. Bromsgrove are still in the mix but they would have to rely on both the above clubs losing without picking up bonus points.

If Newport were to come through this tie they will then face Topsham (Away) or Brixham (Home) dependant on who wins that match-up. A Play-Off Final then awaits (Away) against whoever finishes 12^th in Nat2 (West) on May 9^th

Any further questions on the play-off process by Postcard please!

Written by : Chris Wilde

The post Bournville 14pts v Newport 29pts appeared first on Newport Salop RUFC.

In what was a superb advert for local community rugby Bridgnorth deservedly came out on top in the battle of the two titans of Shropshire rugby, holding off a late surge from Newport to secure the spoils.

A large crowd assembled on a glorious Spring day with The Old Showground looking at it’s best bathed in somewhat rare sunshine. Newport won the toss and chose to go uphill inviting Bridgnorth to kick-off. There were good early carries from Luke Kendall and John Tuia before a Newport penalty took them to within five of the visitor’s line, George Perkins the beneficiary from a well-controlled drive. Jack Ingram added an excellent conversion to give the hosts a 7 – 0 advantage after seven minutes.

Bridgnorth were then able to exert some sustained pressure in the home twenty-two and they were soon over in the left-hand corner, another excellent conversion levelling things up with seventeen minutes played. Jake Goulson then took a wonderful ball at the line-out to set Perkins away on the charge and after breaking through several tackles over a twenty-metre rampage he was able to feed Ingram with an inside pass that saw the scrum-half scamper over for their second score and in converting his own try made it 14 – 7 with nineteen minutes played.

Port had several more half-chances but the common trait of late in trying to force the play saw those opportunities spurned and when Tuia was yellow carded for a high tackle the chance arose for Bridgnorth to take advantage of the extra man. Newport did well to survive without damage but as soon as he returned the visitors got over  in the left corner, the well struck conversion making it all square again at 14 – 14 after thirty-eight minutes.

Just as everyone thought the teams would go in at half time on equal terms some weak tackling in midfield let North in under the posts meaning they would go into the break with a seven-point lead.

All the locals will tell you that the slope at Newport is worth ten points so a seven-point deficit shouldn’t be too much of a challenge to overhaul but Bridgnorth had other ideas. Newport found themselves contained within their own twenty-two unable to find or execute an exit strategy meaning they were constantly under pressure.

North added to their tally with a straightforward penalty on fifty-three minutes to make it 14 – 24 before Newport eventually cracked under constant pressure to concede a further converted try on sixty-two minutes with the visitors well in command at 14 -31.

At last Newport managed to exert some territorial pressure of their own and hit back almost immediately when Tuia made a fine break down the left-hand channel, Jake Reynolds finishing in style in the corner. Ingram was unable to convert but Newport were back in contention at 19 – 31 with fifteen left on the clock.

North then put themselves three scores ahead with a long-range penalty, a score that proved decisive as Newport ran out of time to chase it down. There was only eight minutes left when Jake Goulson forced his way over from short range, Ingram converting for 26 – 34 and when Ricky Bailey scored with an excellent individual effort there was a glimmer of hope for Newport. The last five minutes was a remarkably tense and frantic affair as the hosts gambled everything throwing the ball around with Bridgnorth desperately trying to hold onto any ball they got to run the clock down.

Ultimately it was Bridgnorth who prevailed to claim a 31 – 34 victory in what was a pulsating and thoroughly entertaining encounter. Well done to them!

Newport will look back on three consecutive home defeats in which they have lost by three points or less, results which have seen Bournville clinch the title, and with it immediate promotion back to National 2, with two games still remaining.

Newport travel to Bournville next Saturday for what many were predicting would be a title decider several weeks ago but that is no longer the case. Their focus must now be to make sure they claim the necessary five points from their two games to ensure a home promotion play-off against Stourbridge or Newent.

The post Newport          31pts       v     Bridgnorth              34pts appeared first on Newport Salop RUFC.

Nuns would hope to start the second half well but Newport were in again virtually
from the re-start, Hurford-John and Reynolds doing the fancy stuff before feeding
captain Ricky Bailey, who was no doubt delighted with the showing of his young
charges, and he was able to cross by the posts allowing Elliot to add the extras and
extend their lead to 5 -38.
Matt Hubbart, who had a fine game in the “boiler-house” joined Tom Clarke, Lindsey
and Turner in making some hard yards that again drew the penalty as Nuns found
themselves under increasing pressure. Port again opted for the scrum, Elliot ghosted
through with ease and in converting his own try quashed any lingering idea that there
may be a remarkable comeback on the cards.
It was now 7 – 45 after forty-seven minutes with the home side staring down the
barrel of a hefty defeat. Several interchanges involving the bench ensued with
Okeyere and Rhys Morgan entering the fray and whilst not everything worked
perfectly as standards of execution slipped a little Newport continued to add to their
points tally.
Hubbart stole the Nuns line for maybe the fourth time of the afternoon before
charging downfield and setting up position on the Nuns twenty-two, the ball being
sent left for Hurford-John to squeeze in at the corner and bring up the fifty. John
Tuia, another who excelled on the day made a great break up the middle before
handing on to Morgan who, having made his customary ten yards handed on to
Reynolds who capped an outstanding performance by dancing through sublimely to
score by the posts, the conversion stretching the lead to 5 – 57 with sixty-six minutes
on the clock.
There was even time for veteran ex-skipper Tom Cowell to make a ten-minute
cameo appearance from the bench when he replaced Bird at hooker. Port then
attacked down the right for Gamble to jink here and jink there before popping the ball
inside for Luke Kendall to grab the solitary forward’s try on the day.
Elliot then chipped through for Reynolds to re-gather and although the full-back was
collared he managed to slip the ball to Gamble who sprinted in by the posts to end
the scoring at 5 – 71
Although the writing has been on the wall for most of the season this defeat
mathematically seals Nuneaton’s relegation back to Level 6. They are a great club
and will doubtless bounce back sooner rather than later having suffered terribly from
senior player retirements, season-ending injuries to key players and the temptations
laid before their better younger players to try their fortunes elsewhere.
As regards Newport, with just three fixtures remaining a return of six points will
ensure a play-off spot whilst seven would ensure that game would be played at
home against any of Stourbridge, Bromsgrove or Newent. Not as easy as it may
sound as they still have to travel to champions elect, Bournville, adding extra
importance to the home game against Bridgnorth on 21 st March, a fixture that will
play host to the annual Ex-Players lunch. Kick-Off is at 3pm.
Written by: Chris Wilde

The post Nuneaton 5pts v Newport 71pts appeared first on Newport Salop RUFC.

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

The post Newport 27pts v Stourbridge 28pts appeared first on Newport Salop RUFC.

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 28^th February in what is sure to be a juicy encounter.

Written by: Chris Wilde   

The post Hopes Hit by Banbury Defeat appeared first on Newport Salop RUFC.

Many saw this game as a potential banana skin following Lutts impressive win at the Old Showground back in October but whilst their main title contenders Bournville were slipping up at Newent, the result here was never in doubt as Newport put in probably their best showing of the season, most of which was due to a masterful display from their pack.

Uluaki Kale was given the honour of leading out the team for his last match having earned himself a full-time professional contract in Romania. The Tongan Under 21 international at both League and Union has been with the club for almost two seasons and quickly established himself as a “talisman” both at Newport and at Telford Raiders. He will be sorely missed but we wish him well in the next stage of his career and we will be following his progress with interest.

Newport had the advantage of slope and breeze first up and there was little sign of what was to come when they spilled the kick-off and found themselves under immediate pressure but Newport’s defence held firm just as it did virtually all afternoon. 

Newport then won a set of repeat penalties allowing Billy Dinning to give Newport a line out within eight metres of the Lutterworth line. The first drive was repelled by the home defence but good control set up the opportunity for a second and it was George Perkins who crossed for what was to be his first of three on the day.

The Lutterworth scrum appeared to be creaking somewhat under pressure from the Newport front row drawing a penalty that took the visitors back into a good attacking position where Mike Adams burst through the middle making good ground before being felled but Newport had got in behind and Elliot Dolphin floated a lovely long miss pass to Tim Waqadau who crossed at the corner and with the conversion going wide they led 0 – 10 after twelve minutes.

A rare home attack was then halted by Charlie Pugh who was deemed to have knocked on deliberately and was dispatched to the sin-bin to take a rest for ten minutes.

Jack Ingram then took a quick tap penalty on half way and scampered through a retreating defence before linking admirably with John Tuia, Chris Taylor and Adams who between them created enough space for Dinning to glide through for their third score, Ingram nailing the conversion this time to make it 0 – 17 after twenty-three minutes. Taylor collected the re-start, as he often does, and put Waqadau away on a weaving run down the left touchline. The damage was done and after several tight controlled phases Perkins was in for his second, four try bonus point already secured with twenty-five minutes on the clock.

Port were nearly in again but Dinning’s pass to Waqadau was intercepted but opportunities were constantly being created as they remained physically dominant, Dinning’s penalty to ten out setting up a catch and drive try for Adams to stretch their lead to 0 – 27

Lutterworth prevented any further damage before the break but it would take a monumental effort for them to get back into this game, especially in the light of Newport’s thrilling and clinical display so far.

They gave themselves some early hope when setting up a catch and drive try of their own on forty-four minutes to cut the deficit to 5 – 27 but any respite was short-lived when Ricky Bailey and Waqadau combined before popping Tuia through the gap, the flanker doing well to free his arms from a double tackle and off-load to Kale for a much-deserved farewell score, Ingram converting to give them a 5 – 34 advantage.

Lutterworth continued to compete but couldn’t find any real cutting edge to unlock the Newport defence. The game was then played between the opposing twenty-two’s before Jake Goulson was held up over the line that forced a goal line drop out which Lutterworth then put out on the full giving Port a five-metre scrum under the home posts. The way things were going it wasn’t a position that they looked likely to squander and sure enough after good, tight, controlled phases Perkins battled through to complete his hat-trick, Ingram tacking on the extras to make it 5 – 41 with eleven minutes left to play.

There was still more to come when a penalty into the corner set up another opportunity for a driving maul with Goulson on the end of it this time to register their eighth try and an emphatic scoreline of 5 – 46

Lutterworth gained some consolation with a late converted catch and drive try after which Newport again re-established their authority before the game was brough to a close and a full-time score of 12 – 46

It is some time since we witnessed such a complete and co-ordinated display from a Newport pack of forwards and they fully deserve credit for their efforts, James Tideswell, Adams and Luke Kendall for some excellent scrummaging, rock-solid defence and strong carries. Perkins and Goulson, a real physical presence in the second row allowing the back row of Tuia, Kale and Taylor to flourish off the efforts of the front five. Tom Clarke and Rhys Morgan also made big impressions after entering from the bench

A word too for Head Coach, Craig Ingram and the forwards coaches Jack Wells and Tom Cowell, all former Newport players of course who have worked tirelessly with the players to produce such a complete performance.

Prior to the weekend’s games it was very much Bournville in the driving seat but their defeat has really opened up the chase for the title and automatic promotion back to the National Leagues, a story which will doubtless unfold over the coming weeks. As insurance Newport now have an eleven-point advantage over the play-off chasers in fourth place and below.

Bournville will doubtless return to top place when they play at Drybrook next weekend to complete their game in hand whilst everyone else has a week off but their lead will be a maximum of one solitary point

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It was Newport who prevailed and registered another valuable, if rather patchy win proving too powerful for their struggling opponents. This win, coupled with the Drybrook versus Bournville game falling foul of the weather, saw them installed by one solitary point at the top of the table. Moreover, results elsewhere mean they now have a ten-point advantage over the fourth placed club in the chase for the play-off positions.

Rearranged fixtures always seem to cause availability issues and Newport found themselves without Charlie Gamble and Matt Hubbart whilst Charlie Pugh was a late withdrawal, having failed to recover sufficiently from an injury sustained against Lichfield. Jake Reynolds, Jake Goulson and Benny Elliot all made the starting line-up whilst Rhys Morgan was drafted onto the bench where he was joined by Callum Bradbury and Tom Clarke, the latter two easing back into it following injury.

Despite playing into the wind first up it was all Newport early doors and it was no surprise when after a long penalty advantage Elliot put it into the corner, Port securing the line out for Goulson to peel off the driving maul to the left to register their first score. Elliot missed the awkward conversion but after just six minutes Newport led 0 – 5 

Ricky Bailey then made a searing break only to be halted by a high tackle. Elliot then broke free in front of the stand and a try for Reynolds looked certain before Elliot’s pass was intercepted by a Dudley player running back to cover. Nevertheless, you got the feeling it was only a matter of time before Newport added to their score and so it proved when Tim Waqadau danced through some space after relentless Newport pressure to dot down by the posts, Elliot converting to make it 0 – 12 after fourteen minutes.

DK were not going to go down without a fight and they eventually established some field position after a couple of repeat penalties had put them in range. Newport defended their line extremely well but couldn’t break out of their own twenty-two the home side eventually forcing their way over by the posts, the conversion narrowing the gap to just the one score at 7 – 12 after thirty-four minutes.

Newport then put any nerves to bed with two quickfire tries before the interval to quash any thoughts of an upset. First, Chris Taylor crashed over from a catch and drive before Waqadau’s break set up John Tuia to sail through the gap and feed the supporting Billy Dinning who crossed by the posts allowing Elliot to convert and take the teams into the break at 7 – 24, hot tea being the choice of beverage rather than the usual oranges!

DK would need the first score of the second period if they were to have any chance of rescuing the game – they didn’t get it, Newport turning the screw from the off Taylor again driving over from short range for his second, Elliot’s conversion stretching their lead to 7 – 31 and putting the result beyond doubt.

It was only going to get worse for the home side as within moments, Bailey made another break to within ten of the home line, surviving yet another coarse attempt to de-capitate him but resulting in another penalty, from which Newport opted for the scrum and which also saw a yellow card for the offender. Newport got the shove on with the inevitable outcome – penalty try, the scoreboard now reading 7 – 38 after fifty minutes.

There was some respite to come for the home side when they raced in from half way following an interception to reduce the arrears to 12 – 38 just three minutes later and then another close range converted try on sixty-six minutes to give them a sniff of a four try bonus point but it wasn’t to be as Newport finished things off when Elliot Dolphin floated a lovely long miss pass to Luke Kendall, lurking on the right wing, the prop doing remarkably well to muscle his way over in the corner to make it 19 – 43 with just four minutes left on the clock.

Newport saw out the remaining minutes with Rhys Morgan allowed the privilege of booting it out of play for the full-time whistle to sound with players and spectators alike beating a hasty retreat to the warmer climes of the clubhouse with five league points safely secured.

Next up, Lutterworth away next Saturday, where conditions we are told are likely to be wet and muddy. This will be a key fixture in the run down, especially given they managed to do a number on Newport at Forton Road back in October. Hopefully, there will be a good level of support travelling to a venue they have never played at previously. Kick-Off is at 2.15pm

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