Newport (Salop) RUFC

Sat 4 Feb 2023, 14:15

Newport (Salop)

32 - 26

(HT 17-7)

Dings Crusaders

Newport (Salop)

Dings Crusaders

New sponsors Bloor Homes must be delighted with such an outstanding team performance at the Stade Bloor, cleverly and subtly named in recognition of the forthcoming World Cup in France later this year. This fixture was postponed in December and Newport took full advantage of this game in hand to claim five valuable points and move up the table to eleventh and now crucially ahead of Barnstaple, Bournville and Stourbridge.

Last week’s one cap hat-trick hero Tobi Wilson had his signature for Coventry confirmed on Wednesday so Director of Rugby, Bob Adams, was delighted to be able to bring in Dan Brough, on loan from Cambridge where he is studying but very much a local lad having played previously for Wolverhampton and Bridgnorth. He didn’t disappoint! Matt Meek, a prop who can play both sides of the scrum, was also signed on a permanent deal from Bishop’s Stortford and made a big impact. Add in to that a first start for youngster Finn Barnes who really impressed on debut giving everything for the cause in a tireless display. Newport were also able to name an experienced bench boasting over 850 caps between them, a club record!

Ding’s were sitting third in the table, being the only club to beat runaway leaders Leicester Lions so far this term and with former Premiership star Luke Arscott, in charge and on the bench, a stern test was expected but once the visitors had kicked off playing down the slope with a breeze behind them Newport tore into the Bristol side from the off. A series of penalties in their favour took them to within five of the Ding’s line and, having secured their lineout a series of good tight phases saw Perez Raqio crash over for the opening score, Jake Leonard converting for a 7 – 0 lead after seven minutes.

Ding’s responded but were stripped of possession in the Newport twenty-two who then countered through the excellent Charlie Gamble, who continues to grow in confidence after his nomination for last week’s National Leagues “try of the week”. The winger, although held, managed to link with his support and the ball was moved swiftly left where Brough finished in the corner to stretch Newport’s lead to 12 – 0 after nineteen minutes.

The visitors then began to come into the game and registered a regulation catch and drive try through hooker Joe Hawkesbury, converted by Ciaran Donoghue to reduce the arrears to five points after twenty-three minutes. Newport then had tries ruled out by Brough (crossing) and Matt Hubbart (held-up) and defences were then to dominate the remainder of the half before in the final minutes Dings were looking dangerous, especially having a numerical advantage with returning skipper Tom Cowell being despatched to the bin straight after coming on. Dings opted to take the scrum from a couple of penalties but Newport’s pack was rock-solid, a testament to all eight! Pressing and just thirty metres out winger Harry Tovey couldn’t hold onto the pass and Brough pounced, hacking the ball on no less than three times to beat the covering defence only to be tackled just short of the line before popping the ball inside to the supporting Leonard to cross for their third try, conversion missed but Newport headed into the break 17 – 7 up having played against the elements, so all in attendance were looking forward to a dominant second half with conditions set to be in their favour.

Clearly not happy with his side’s showing Arscott entered the fray and appeared to have an immediate effect, a charged down kick letting Dings in for Matt Smith to score and get the visitors back in contention at 17 – 12 and all of thirty-eight minutes still to play.

Ricky Bailey was then carded for a technical offence again giving momentum to Dings, they didn’t waste the advantage, opting for a scrum under the home posts. Again, the Newport scrum held but with the extra man out wide Tom Knight crossed for Donoghue to convert and Dings were ahead for the first time in the match           at 17 – 19. Having lost nine on the bounce how would Newport respond with the pressure back on? Not well it would appear when the re-start was put straight out of play on the full but with half-backs Connor Adams and George Castledine able to dictate play behind a solid pack they began to re-assert their authority.

Nick Murphy, Jake Goulson, Nat Titchard-Jones and Josh Kent were all carrying hard and with Dings struggling to contain them the ball went right to Brough who got over in the corner to put the home side back in front. More was to come, Gamble gathered the kick-off and weaved his way down the right before chipping over the last line of defence and winning the foot race to score another fine individual try, Leonard converting and Newport were back in control at 29 – 19 after sixty-nine minutes. Leonard was then able to knock over a penalty extending the lead to 32 -19 meaning Dings had about nine minutes to score the two converted tries that would give them victory and keep their faint promotion hopes alive.

Dings began to exert the pressure and Tovey was able to score inches from the right-hand touchline after a chip in behind the Newport defence meaning the conversion would be extremely difficult but Donoghue nailed it bringing them to within six of taking the spoils and a nervy last few minutes for the home supporters.

Castledine kicked the re-start deep and Newport were able to see out the game with Dings restricted to trying to run from their own half resulting in an important victory with an all-round excellent performance. This doesn’t look like a team who are even contemplating the possibility of relegation and hopes will be high of pulling further clear when Stourbridge, currently rooted to the foot of the table, visit Stade Bloor on 18^th February after a week’s well-earned rest.

Written by: Chris Wilde