Sat 16 Sep 2023, 14:30

Hornets

55 - 12

(HT 21-12)

Newport (Salop)

Hornets

Newport (Salop)

Dismal Second Half Display sees Newport dismissed by the Buzzing Hornets

Hornets 55pts Newport 12pts

Having lost out narrowly to two of the league’s better sides Newport travelled to Weston-Super-Mare confident of picking up their first win of the season but after an entertaining and competitive first half they were blown away in the second by a rampant Hornets side who registered six tries without reply to send the visitors packing.

The overnight rain had relented so there was only a fairly strong crosswind for the players to contend with on an otherwise perfect AGP surface.

All of the early play was between the 22's but after Newport lost their own line from a penalty to the home twenty-two Hornets stuck one of their own into the corner and after a couple of drives Hayden Tuttiet wriggled over and with Jamie Elswood’s conversion they led 7 - 0 after eight minutes. Newport will reflect on how a failure to execute the basics in the red zone led to them conceding at the other end, a trait that was to be repeated on a regular basis throughout the afternoon.

Good restart and George Castledine drilled a lovely 50/22 down the left hand touch-line to set up a promising attacking position. Line out secured this time but the resultant drive was well held by the home pack before Newport put some phases together and Ethan Harley crossed in the corner for his fourth try in three games. The conversion was missed but the deficit reduced to 7 - 5 after ten minutes.

In probably their best spell of the match Newport stringed some phases together through Finn Barnes, James Tideswell, Josh Kent and Tim Waqadau before being penalised on the home five metre line. However, Hornets missed their touch and Newport countered, Charlie Gamble making good yards, on his return to the side after a concussion enforced break, linking well with Kent who took his return pass to break the final tackle and cross by the posts, Castledine converting for Newport to lead 7 - 12 after eighteen minutes.

Newport then, rather reminiscent of last week, spilled the restart conceding an attacking scrum in their own twenty-two. Hornets apply the pressure and after Newport concede repeat penalties on their own line Hornets cross from a quick tap through Charlie Carter, Elswood converting to restore Hornets lead at 14 - 12 after twenty-three minutes.

Despite inviting pressure on themselves through basic errors Newport’s defence was standing up well but then having forced a turnover scrum they lose it on their own put in. Some great line speed and a couple of big hits draws a penalty that Castledine puts to within fifteen metres but after securing the line-out they spill the ball in contact and the chance is lost.

Hornets then bossed the remainder of the half, eventually getting their reward after consistent pressure to score in the left hand corner through Si Elrick after a full eight minutes of added time, Ellswood adding the difficult conversion to leave Hornets 21 - 12 ahead at the break.

With the game still very much in the balance Newport needed to start the second half with intent but alas they collect the kick-off then knock-on at the resulting ruck. More pressure from Hornets but held up resulting in a goal-line dropout

Youngster Dan Green was then shown a yellow card which triggered the start of Newport’s second-half capitulation. The resultant penalty was put into the corner and although the initial drive was held Hornets eventually crashed over through Courtney Harris. No conversion this time but Hornets led 26 - 12 closely followed by a second from Harris, finishing off a free-flowing counter attack, that made it 31 - 12 after forty-nine minutes.

Whilst Newport did manage to string some attacks together they inevitably broke down through wrong options or poor execution and the writing was, by now, very much on the wall.

Hornets proved lethal on the counter and when Newport suffered further cards, to Sam Clarke and Charley Robinson, more scores were inevitably conceded.

Carter, Oscar James, Alec Chase and Ayden Chenoweth benefitting from Newport’s generosity. Two more conversions from Elswood made a final score of 55 - 12 and a deserved win for the hosts.

Much to consider for Newport as they remain winless and await the visit of Hinckley, who are always a strong and physical handful, next Saturday for a 2.15pm kick off. Basic skills and discipline would be a good starting point but in all sport there is always the next game and Newport will need to improve in spades if they are to account for their Leicestershire visitors.

Written by Chris Wilde