Match Report – Veseyans 32pts v Newport II 29pts

Veseyans 32-29 Newport II

Newport Second XV ran out of time as they sprinted toward the finish, to fall three points short, against an unyielding and surprisingly spritely Veseyans forward pack. Or more accurately, vacillated before returning to full speed in the second half, after conceding just before the break, to give Veseyans a cushion to defend.

Sussing each other out, Newport and Veseyans pecked and jabbed at each other for the first quarter without creating many clear openings. Steve Sawden and Marsden Humphries making ground from deep after collecting Veseyans’ probing kicks, Chris Tait’s thumping tackle, Ben Turner’s pop-pass for the on rushing Harry Fletcher and Fergus Lamb’s jackal all keeping the pressure on Veseyans until Newport were awarded a pair almost identical penalties in range. The first squarely hitting the post, the second breaking the deadlock.

Newport allowed the ball to bounce from the restart, Veseyans reclaimed possession and although Newport regrouped to hold Veseyans off, they were always on the back foot. Defending heavily in the centre Newport were then short to Veseyans overload on their right-wing squeezing into the corner. Newport’s ambitious halfway penalty kick fell short and in riposte, Veseyans added theirs from inside Newport’s 22.

Similarly, Newport’s defence, again found themselves drawn into the battle toward the centre, providing Veseyans room, this time to their left-wing, to stretch their lead. However, Luke Kendall and Cam Watson continued to pull the strings in attack and Michael Woodhouse’s offload nearly put Toby Egerton through. It was only moments later though, as Veseyans tried to play out from deep, that Egerton, alive to Veseyans mishandle, claimed Newport’s lifeline, running under the posts. Newport, with a five-point deficit, fancied their chances to turn around this fixture in the second half; just needing to manage out the remaining minutes. Veseyans, recognising the dilemma invoked a half-pitch press. Newport’s confusion of half-missed tackles allowed Veseyans to extended their lead to twelve points at the whistle.

Despite the setback, Newport’s plan looked back on target within three minutes of the restart, when Alistair Heath broke through Veseyans’ defensive line and finding Billy Parry in support. Still with half a pitch to navigate, Parry though was in no doubt; at full speed and an early change of direction, Parry blasted past Veseyans’ remaining backs.

Somehow lulling though, Newport failed to consolidate their momentum, despite Luke Kendall jackalling back possession and Phil Bradley rounding-up Veseyans dinking chip. Veseyans gradually upped their attack. Newport closed Veseyans off at the corner, but desperate defending under the posts saw Newport concede a penalty and yellow card for a high tackle. Newport started to look in trouble, after the three points bagged by Veseyans gave them a period of superiority and inevitably added another try, to more than double Newport’s tally.

As Newport’s personnel rotated, their play developed with more surety creating an action-packed final ten minutes. Now dominating Veseyans’ scrum and electing to do so from their eight-yard penalty, Newport’s pressure forced further Veseyans’ errors; Egerton capitalising for his second try, catching Veseyans unprepared from a repeat penalty.

When Newport, with advantage, avariciously rampaged forward, Veseyans earlier high-tackle was adjudged the priority, so reducing Veseyans to fourteen. Umbraged Newport maintained their discipline, focussed their attention on stretching Veseyans, aiming to build scoring opportunities, which Sawden provided. Collecting his measured grubber-kick and dropping over the tryline, left 45 seconds for Newport to manufacture a burglary of points. In dramatic fashion, Veseyans earned a penalty and elected to kick, which would surely do for Newport. But Sawden gathered the miss and Newport set about gaining territory whilst limiting risk with a red clock. A tall order and too much to expect; Veseyans got the chance to end the game and clutched it desperately with both clenched hands.

A bonus point and a losing point a reasonable exchange for Newport’s efforts. Their work-rate, second-to-none, provided them with chances against tough opposition, who probably feel relieved to escape with the lion’s share. A thoroughly exciting and evenly balanced game reflected in such a close scoreline.