Monday 20 January 2025 09:30
Home to Wirral 18th January 2025
Newport 19-24 Wirral
Keen to measure their progress against a tough and organised Wirral, Newport’s eagerness to catharise their October visit to the North-West perhaps came at a cost. Inventiveness brought risk, which on occasions worked, but on others proved counter-productive. And Newport’s regression to their former lineout issues, after seemingly being resolved, certainly hampered their ability to consolidate and arguably cost them deeply in this fixture.
When Wirral charged down Newport’s kicked clearance in just the second minute, only twelve yards out, their surge and momentum over two phases easily carried them over Newport’s tryline. Newport though responded positively, Tim Waqadau and Ricky Bailey combining to break Wirral’s line and Charlie Gamble adding distance. Fin Barnes’ offload kept Newport’s advance alive, Dalitso Ngoma and Matt Hubbart earning Newport their penalty which Benny Elliot despatched through the posts.
Turning over Newport’s lineout, Wirral pounced on their right wing, chipping into the danger area and bouncing favourably, Wirral’s winger efficiently harvesting Wirral’s next points. Leading by example, Bailey then bolted through and advanced twenty yards whilst steady-head James Tideswell secured the gained advantage in close support. Now in Wirral’s 22, Newport again fumbled their lineout, but this time, Uluaki Kale regained control, charged at Wirral’s tryline and imposed himself on their full-back in the goal-area. Newport’s growing confidence justified.
Further lost lineouts altered Newport’s approach in the closing moments of the first half. Kicking their penalty, Elliot put Newport to within a point of Wirral and when Gamble galloped half the pitch moments later, and a further ten yards gained from Wirral’s protestation, Elliot again kicked for the posts and suddenly Newport were ahead at the break.
Wirral maintained their discipline into the second period as Newport probed, searching for an opening. Hubbart refreshingly stealing from Wirral’s lineout, Elliot Dolphins’ crossfield punt finding Charlie Pugh on the left wing and Waqadau’s tricky movement all giving hope and territory. Now drawing the inevitably penalties, Newport twice elected to scrummage centrally under Wirral’s posts but failed to capitalise. As if to illustrate Newport’s profligacy, Wirral then kicked their penalty to nudge them ahead.
Wirral’s chip and chase into Newport’s corner, again bouncing kindly, stretched the game further from Newport’s grasp. But Elliot, kicking another three points brought an exciting climax. Wirral’s restart bounced out on the full and Newport went all out to snatch the game. Scrummaging in the right corner, moving out to the left and back again, whilst Wirral’s defence desperately held firm, Newport, ever- anxiously hunted for the killer-blow. But with the clock red and losing possession, Newport were foiled.
Newport gave a good account of themselves against a proficient, well-organised and strong team. Looking dangerous in offence but somehow lacking composure to nail home advantage, and frustratingly unable to capitalise from attacking lineout positions, Newport still have some work to do. However, considering the strength of their opposition, they demonstrated progress here with a character and spirit, which if maintained will no doubt bring them success.
| First half | Second Half |
| TriesKale | Tries |
| ConversionsElliot 1/1 | Conversions |
| PenaltiesElliot 3/3 | PenaltiesElliot 1/1 |
