Sat 14 Oct 2023, 15:00
National 2 West
Newport Brushed Aside by Unbeaten League Leaders
Luctonians 39pts v Newport 5pts
Newport travelled the short but complicated route into rural Herefordshire last Saturday to tackle current table-toppers Luctonians whose impressive start to the season had seen them win all six games to date so a stern test was to be expected.
In an attempt to arrest an alarming downturn in performances since their last gasp win over Hinckley Director of Rugby, Bob Adams, rang the changes with captain Connor Adams returning from injury and places in the squad for George Boughey, Jordan Grass, Will Galbraith, Jack Neal and Jack Dawson.
Torrential rain throughout the week had little effect on the Luctonians playing surface which was as good as ever as Newport kicked off with the slight slope and gentle breeze in their favour but disaster struck from the off when the impressive Rob Aikman fielded the kick and immediately broke two Newport tackles to burst into the visitor’s twenty-two, the ball was quickly re-cycled and fed to Archie Benson who, not to be outdone burst though two weak tackle attempts and strolled under the posts, Louis Silver converting to give Lucs the perfect start.
Worse was to come just minutes later after Henry Vaka was penalised for a high shot, Lucs putting it into the Newport twenty-two where following a catch and drive Joe White forced his way over and it was 12 – 0 after just six minutes.
Newport then suffered a repeat set of penalties that took the home side into the red zone and another catch and drive try resulted, this time for hooker Ben Link to notch his tenth try of the season and it was 17 – 0 in no time at all and very much one way traffic.
The visitors then found their way into the game for the first time but the Lucs defence was equal to anything that Newport threw at them eventually working their way back into a threatening position in the Newport twenty-two. Charley Robinson was then yellow carded for a head contact and Lucs opted for multiple scrums under the posts which Newport managed to repel but when Lucs chose to release it wide Charlie Grimes managed to squeeze over in the corner to make it 22 – 0 after twenty-six minutes and the four try bonus point was already in the bag. This was repeated in almost identical fashion some six minutes later with Lucs applying scrum pressure before spinning right for Grimes to go in again for his second. Newport managed to avoid further damage but it was 27 – 0. One slight chance for Newport when Lucs tried to counter from deep but coughed up possession, Matt Hubbart scooping up the loose ball but just failing to reach the line and the chance was lost. For the second week running, much to contemplate at the interval
Newport were much better second half but lacked the cutting edge to pierce a well organised and robust Luctonians defence. Jake Leonard, celebrating his 100th appearance put in a neat chip for Gamble to chase that nearly brought a score as did another scoot down the wing from Gamble but despite these efforts it was Lucs who extended their lead when Grimes went in for his third on seventy minutes to make it 32 – 0 but at least Newport were to gain some consolation when Vaka was able to wriggle over from short range to bring it back to 32 – 5.
Alas it was not yet the end of a painful afternoon when an aimless kick right down the full-back’s throat saw the ball run back with interest, some sloppy defence allowing Caleb Montgomery to saunter in for the home side’s seventh try, Tom Jones’s conversion bringing matters to a close at 39 – 5.
Newport will now have two weeks off to rest and re-assess as the league programme takes a break whilst the World Cup concludes in France. Close neighbours Bournville will be the next visitors to Stade Bloor on 4th November with Newport desperate for a win to ease themselves off the foot of the table. Kick-off is at 2.15.
Written by: Chris Wilde
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