Thursday 21 November 2024 16:19
Home to Anselmians 16th November 2024
Newport 12-27 Anselmians
Beaten by the better side on the day, Newport could not overcome a strong unbeaten Anselmians who were able to shut Newport out when the numerical advantage was against them. Newport shipped most of their points whilst with a player less in the first half whereas in the second half, for prolonged periods, Anselmians were able to withhold Newport’s advances despite suffering a similar disadvantage.
Newport started with threat, decent carries and movement, but twice knocking-on seemed to disrupt any early flow. Gaining a penalty 30-yards out and electing to kick, Anselmians were off the mark without having produced any real threat of their own.
Further Newport handling errors were compensated by their driving scrum and with Charlie Gamble and Ellis Deans-Smith eating up ground to claim territory. However, an intercepted pass and Anselmians quickly reversed Newport’s gains and then passing inside from their maul were ten points up.
Anselmians now, with a player advantage looked prepared to blitz Newport off the park and were soon twisting off another maul into the right-hand corner and kicking another penalty to put them twenty without reply. Restored to fifteen, Newport appeared to want to end the half regaining some momentum, but another handling error stole Newport’s opportunity to escape from their 22. With several quick passes Anselmians, with numbers over, were squeezing into the opposite corner.
Newport’s sustained attack in the second half drew a procession of Anselmian penalties. Electing to scrummage each time, Newport kept Anselmians under pressure, but somehow were unable to break through Anselmians dogged defence.
A chance to undermine Newport’s unrewarded dominance fell to Anselmians as they elected to kick a penalty, alas too low. Newport heeded the warning and introducing greater urgency started spreading Anselmians defence. Benny Elliot’s long pass finding Charlie Gamble and finally Newport had points.
Anselmians merited another yellow card and Newport again with numerical advantage elected to scrummage through endless penalties, this time with very real menace. A missed offload and another knock-on stymied Newport at the last. But unfazed, Newport persisted and when a rapid interchange between Elliot and Ricky Bailey created room for Billy Dinning Newport got their second.
With five minutes remaining and yellow cards still to come the match begged for a finale but none was forthcoming. Anselmians had won this game in the first half and although Newport rallied and scored points in the second without reply, Anselmians were superior overall. Newport though showed glimpses of what they are capable of, but seemed to undo themselves at times mostly with handling errors. Not at their best, Newport, but enough to build on and to expect a positive reaction.
| First half | Second Half |
| Tries | TriesGambleDinning |
| Conversions | Conversions Elliot 1/2 |
