Tuesday 23 December 2025 15:56
Some might say Newport Second XV were expected to rout Telford after smashing fellow strugglers Tamworth. However, a heavy pitch, changes to personnel and a determined Telford side, who would not acquiesce to Newport’s will, meant this fixture was half the world away from last week. Too many handling errors led to a stulted spectacle but Newport were more assured and victory always seemed certain.
A fast start was clearly Newport’s masterplan, Billy Parry picking up and surging from Newport’s scrum in the opening moments, allowed Sandy Stewart the space to pick out Sam Sergeant, whose jinking run heralded Newport’s first.
Telford relied heavily on kicking long to gain territory, but Stewart, Tom Griffiths and Ben Hurford Jones welcomed the opportunity and space to initiate supersonic counter-attacks. Indeed, electric Hurford Jones, collecting on his own 22, tore down the left-wing, shrugging off Telford attention, to double Newport’s lead. Griffiths then twice broke through. Firstly fly-kicking Telford’s knock-on, after Harry Peregrine’s crunching tackle earned Newport a penalty. And secondly, again collecting Telford’s long kick, rampaged through crowds some 50 yards, only to be halted at the tryline. Newport consolidated but held-up; Telford’s resistance could not live forever.
Jake Bowyer’s jackling kept Newport’s attack in the danger area, Ollie Bird’s underlapping run from the lineout and the unstoppable Ben Turner, powering under the posts, put Newport ahead three full tries to nought at the break.
Telford rejuvenated, started the second period with gust. A scrum, a penalty and a maul had them knocking the tryline door. Newport refused to let the momentum slide away and little by little dragged themselves back up to speed. Griffiths’ charging tackle bashing Telford off-field gave Newport the chance to reassert their upper hand; Hurford Jones’ diagonal rounded each Telford defender, reaching the tryline long before running out of width.
Vacillation in the goal area after stealing possession at Telford’s attacking lineout gifted Telford their first try but their second was well worked. Newport failed to roll with it as Telford broke off from the side of their maul, and from five yards out, breached Newport’s tryline in quick succession.
Hurford Jones then injected more urgency, carrying fifteen yards, chipping and chasing to Telford’s tryline. Telford appeared to gather possession but were in disarray. Whatever Telford’s intentions, Parry capitalised, not letting anyone get in his way, grounded in the goal area. With no more score, the tie petered out to a scrappy finish, but this should cast no shadow over Newport’s competent if not enthralling performance.
Newport’s continued positive progress during this season is what the story from this game is. Ending 2025 with another win and clear confidence growing, the potential for this team to achieve is an exciting prospect. There is still plenty to work on, but the attitude and spirit within the group should provide the environment for performances to evolve.
| First half | Second Half |
| TriesSam SergeantBen Hurford JonesBen Turner | TriesBen Hurford JonesBilly Parry |
| ConversionsBen Tagg 3/3 | ConversionsBen Tagg 2/2 |