Newport (Salop) RUFC

Sat 25 Feb 2023

Newport (Salop) II

55 - 15

(HT 10-7)

Bridgnorth Bulls

Newport (Salop) II

Bridgnorth Bulls

Newport Second XV’s failure to capitalise pointwise on their domination during the first-half gave a fast and agile Bridgnorth hope, if they could stay in touch, that they could rescue something later in the game. However, Newport found a ruthlessness in the second-half, running in seven tries to put Bridgnorth to the sword.

Newport’s big carriers Rhys Morgan, James Lohan and Mike Woodhouse occupied Bridgnorth’s defence allowing Sam Sargeant to find Rhys Williams on the wing and back inside to Sargeant who registered Newport’s early points. Newport pushed forward, Freddie Elliot making quick ground, Morgan interchanging passes with Alastair Heath, and Woodhouse making space for Billy Parry whose stretch across the tryline adjudged as double movement; not given. Newport’s rapid linespeed kept Bridgnorth under pressure, but their speedy winger took advantage of the press to counter attack to take the lead.

Emboldened Bridgnorth sought to exploit further but Newport were resolute, Parry, Heath, Luke Kendall and shortly after James Scott smothering Bridgnorth’s advances. Newport reasserted their authority; Morgan’s backhand pass set Williams away, only to be buffeted from the tryline by Bridgnorth’s desperate defence and Heath held-up. With the clock ticking, it felt as though Newport would not benefit from their repeated attacks. But, James Bent worked himself free from a half-tackle and went again to ensure that Newport went in at the half ahead.

Jackling James Lohan won possession for Newport to give them their first opportunity of the second-half and once Sargeant had pick his gap to run through for his second of three, the shackles of tension seem to dissipate and a new clinical Newport emerged. The momentum created by Morgan battering forward from short distance for Newport’s fourth was not hindered by Bridgnorth kicking points from their penalty, as first Richard Biggin crossed the goal-line, having already added yardage-plenty in the build-up and Parry’s show-and-go gave him the space to add his own try.

Bridgnorth continued to compete as best they could, enjoying flurries where they could and again their fast winger, who this time slithered down Bridgnorth’s left-wing and evading two tackles, scored Bridgnorth’s second try. Then, electing to scrummage fifteen yards out, Kendall’s pick-up and drive preceded “man-mountain” Woodhouse’s deft turn over the line to add another, and when “man-possessed” Rob Taylor’s zig-zagging forty-plus yards scamper found Sargeant in support, there was only ever one outcome.

Phil Bradley gratefully accepted Newport’s final try in a resounding and convincing performance throughout. Newport came not to rue their missed points from the first-half having created ample opportunities by executing a callous efficiency in the second period resulting in a scoreline which justly reflects their endeavours.