Tuesday 4 March 2025 09:47
Anselmians 29pts v Newport 15pts
A beautiful early spring day together with the impressive Anselmians “Saints” stadium provided a fantastic backdrop for what was an entertaining contest on Saturday. Newport fell behind quickly in the first half, guilty of variously failing to clear their own twenty-two, lack of punch at the gain-line and a line-out that was at best dysfunctional. Port rallied in the second half playing noticeably closer to the gain line which provided a platform for much improved go forward and control of the game. Anselmians were restricted to one late penalty in the second half and but for some wayward finishing and more precision Port would have emerged with at least a bonus point or two and potentially a win. This is still a relatively callow side and we should all take comfort from the fact that they are competing well with the second in the table, experience that augurs well for seasons to come.
Due to unavailability and injury Ricky Bailey wore the number ten shirt and gave more than a creditable performance in that unfamiliar position. Jack Ingram took on kicking duties and gave a good account of himself from what were often difficult field positions. Port started the game brightly but despite consistent possession were unable to threaten the Saints try line. Momentum switched after ten minutes when the opposition showed a far more clinical edge when converting their first meaningful possession into a try which they duly converted. On fifteen minutes a Saints fifty-twenty-two brought more pressure on the Port line which was only relieved by a high tackle penalty by the home side. Port used this as a platform to enter the opposition twenty-two. A driving maul from a lineout was stopped and the ball was stolen by Saints. A resultant kick through by a second row was chased down, the clearing kick charged down and the loose ball run in for a second try which was duly converted, Saints 14 Newport nil. On twenty-four minutes Saints created a driving maul in the Port twenty-two. A break from the maul saw the ball through the hands for a further home score. Saints twenty- one Newport nil. On thirty-six minutes Port had advanced to the Saints twenty-two, but the ball was lost easily again. A chip through the disrupted Port line was gathered after a kind bounce, through the hands and a further score in the corner, Saints twenty-six Newport nil.
At this point Reece Morgan was introduced and immediately sparked some go forward from Port. A drive of ten yards by Morgan resulted in a penalty which Jack Ingram took quickly. An offload to the supporting Gamble resulted in Port’s first score. Half time Saints twenty-six Port five.
The second half saw a marked change in approach by Port with play much closer to the gain line which gave immediate dividends in terms of go forward. On forty-four minutes two penalties at halfway allowed Port to put the ball to the Saints five metre. A well-executed line out allowed Port to drive over in the corner. Saints twenty-six Port ten. Port failed to repeat the trick on fifty minutes when a blown line out at the Saints five allowed the home team to clear to halfway. A lack of a functional line-out proved to let Port down on a number of occasions during the afternoon. Port continued to apply pressure in the Saints red zone which resulted in a yellow card for the home team for too many penalties. Port were unable to capitalize however giving away a penalty of their own and allowing Saints to clear their twenty-two. Gamble then made an interception in Port’s own twenty-two and ran back to within two metres of the try line. Unfortunately, no supporting player had tracked the run closely enough, the ball was turned over and the chance was gone. A few minutes later Port playing some highly entertaining off-loading rugby, made another break. Unfortunately the supporting Chris Taylor who had bust a gut to get there was ignored with an attempted floated pass to Bailey going astray. The ball was collected by Saints and cleared. With the clock ticking down further pressure in the home twenty-two resulted in a further yellow card being shown to the home side, a situation Port capitalised on with Bird going over in the corner. Saints twenty-six Port fifteen. A further try would see Port emerge with two bonus points. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be with another line-out mistake turning the ball over for a free kick. Saints subsequently won a penalty and knocked it over with the last kick of the game, their only score of the second half. Final Saints twenty-nine Port fifteen.
It’s a cliche but the score did not reflect the balance of play in what was actually an entertaining and well-balanced contest. Some calmer heads in the opposition twenty-two and work on the line-out would have seen Port potentially winning this game. The difference between the two-sides was the clinical edge shown by Saints when opportunities arose which demonstrates why they are second in the league. Next game home to Stoke on Saturday March 8 th , Kick-off 3-00pm.
