Sat 9 Sep 2023, 14:15
Newport Architects of their own Downfall
Newport 29pts v Chester 32pts
Chester were the visitors for the opening home game of Newport’s second season in National 2, a game that was played in searing heat that made it difficult for both sides, drinks breaks being required at regular intervals.
Last week’s performance at Clifton, which resulted in a narrow defeat, suggested good things can be expected from this new look side that has been rebuilt somewhat over the Summer due to a number of retirements and departures. What better way to kick start the home programme than with a juicy local derby?
Newport won the toss and went up the hill making the most perfect of starts when Ethan Harley finished off a fine combination by the three-quarters that gave them a 5 – 0 lead from what was effectively the first play of the game.
Chester came more into the game and scored a fine try when Andrew McMinimee took a short pass on a great line to scoot in under the posts, James Preston converting to give the visitors a 5 – 7 advantage after eleven minutes.
Newport then made a mess of their own line out on half way, lively hooker Scott Robson sweeping up the loose ball before feeding Harry Wilkinson who outpaced the cover defence to score in the corner just three minutes later. Whilst the scrum remained solid Newport were turning over ball at the line-outs and spilling ball in contact in what was quickly becoming an error-strewn half for the home side. A penalty was conceded on thirty-one minutes which Preston knocked over to make it 5 – 15. Newport then knocked on in a good position trying to go through the middle of the ruck before another promising attack broke down through a loose pass which was hacked through by the pacy Harrison Vare who won the race to touchdown, Preston again converting to leave Newport 5 – 22 down at the break and with much to contemplate.
As the second period began it was clear to most that Newport would have to score first to get themselves back into this match but it appeared a similar story to the first when a couple of promising attacks were wasted by poor control of the ball before they put a penalty into the corner where hooker Charley Robinson was driven over from short range to reduce the deficit to 10 – 22 after forty-seven minutes. Much of the good work was undone when Preston slotted another three for the visitors following a scrum penalty on fifty-two minutes.
Matt Meek had been introduced at half-time and when he wriggled out of a tackle to make a half break George Boughey, also introduced from the bench, was up in support to continue the move and feed Josh Kent who Chester managed to hold up over the line to prevent the score. Goal line drop-out, kicked deep, spilled by Newport, position lost but only for a short period as Newport forced a series of 5 metre scrums which were held but good yards, again from Boughey saw the ball spun right for Timoci Waqadau to score in the corner to make it 15 – 25 after fifty-seven minutes and Newport were now within touching distance with plenty time left on the clock, queue another mistake! Newport attacking in Chester twenty-two, long cut-out pass, intercepted by Jac McGuffie who despite being hauled down inches short had enough men in support with Harry Wilkinson bagging his second, Preston again converting to extend their lead to 15 – 32 with eleven minutes left to play.
Realistically Newport were now chasing bonus points and they claimed their first, for scoring four tries when Harley scored his second after a neat chip through behind the defence, converted this time by George Castledine to bring the score to 22 – 32. Newport continued to press but then again inexplicably lost their own line out ball throwing to 2 just 5 metres out but another chance was to come as they turned down the opportunities of penalty shots at goal in favour of going for another try, a decision that paid dividends when skipper Connor Adams fed Lewis Sturgess off the back of a scrum with a deft inside ball that the No8 did well to take and dot down under the posts, Castledine converting which meant the scoreboard now read 29 – 32, the closest they had been since leading in the first minute. 40 seconds left to play wasn’t enough and the match duly ended with 5 league points going to Chester and 2 to Newport.
Difficult day at the office! On another afternoon Newport would have won this game with something to spare but they simply committed too many errors and executed poorly for long periods. Nevertheless, first points on the board and there are enough positives there to suggest that once this new side starts to gel they will be a force to be reckoned with.
Next week Newport travel to Costa Del Weston-Super-Mare to take on Hornets where kick off is at 2.30pm. This game will be preceded on Friday evening with a game between the two clubs Vets XV’s so a good weekend is in prospect.
Written by: Chris Wilde
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