Sat 7 Oct 2023, 14:15
After finding themselves at the bottom of the pile following last week’s defeat at Dudley Kingswinford it was important that Newport regrouped and put in an improved performance back on the home turf of Stade Bloor. It didn’t happen! Outplayed, out-thought, out muscled it would be difficult to take any positives away from this game.
The Old Reds media was full of this being a “must win” game but that statement would appear more applicable to Newport than their visitors yet that didn’t translate onto the field of play as the Bristol based club controlled matters from start to finish.
The game was over by half time as Old Reds, playing up the slope and into the wind, built up a lead of thirty-three points that Newport were never going to overturn. To Newport’s credit they actually managed to win the second half but it was all too little, too late.
Old Reds were physically very strong and Newport were already dropping off tackles when Andy Butler took advantage of a driving phase of play to scamper over for the opening score after just two minutes., Ash Groves who had a field day at 10, controlling things as all 10’s aspire to do, slotted the conversion and Old Reds were well on their way to a convincing victory after just two minutes.
George Castledine then put a penalty to within five metres but Newport knocked on and the position was lost. Newport managed to work their way into Old Reds territory after good yards from the returning Henry Vaka and Matt Hubbart but having won the scrum knocked on from the pick-up.
When teams start missing tackles it spreads like a rash and the visitors were soon adding to their score when Butler sneaked in again, Groves converting for 0 – 14. Keiran Forbes then made some good yards but he became isolated and Newport conceded the penalty. Old Reds put their penalty into the corner and were immediately in again, Dom Sprague the beneficiary this time, Groves adding the inevitable extras for a lead of 0 – 21 after twenty-six minutes.
Josh Kent, as always, played with a spirit that others were sadly lacking but he was to spend ten minutes in the bin for a no-arms tackle. For what seemed the umpteenth time Newport lost their own line out and Old Reds drove forward with intent before releasing to Jalen Curry to score, the conversion making it an embarrassing 0 - 28.
All was not done for the half as Old Reds executed a rather too easy catch and drive resulting in a try for Harry O’Donnell. For the first time Groves could not convert yet the visitors led 0 - 33 in what had been a totally one-sided half of rugby.
Clearly, the game had gone and there was little more to play for other than pride and whilst Newport fared much better going up the slope, other than Charley Robinson being deemed to have been held up over the line there was only a Ricky Bailey score midway through the second period to soften what had been a lesson in how the game should be played.
Whilst admiring the skills of the opposition most of those present could not recall, if ever, thirty-eight points being recorded up the slope without reply so maybe history was being made but not in a good way!
Kent was the stand-out player for Newport, Hubbart wasn’t far behind and Keifer Laxton had a good second half but most of the rest were left wanting.
Where do Newport go from here? It couldn’t get any tougher as they have to go to undefeated table-toppers Luctonians next week before a World Cup break affords a much-needed rest and time for reflection. How do Newport turn this around – answers on a postcard please and pretty quickly!
Written by: Chris Wilde
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