Newport (Salop) RUFC

Sun 3 Oct 2021

Newport (Salop) Senior U18 Colts

24 - 20

Stafford Colts

Newport (Salop) Senior U18 Colts

Stafford Colts

Home to Stafford 3 rd October 2021

Newport 24-20 Stafford

The Stafford that arrived for this league fixture was a very different entity from the team Newport turned over in the pre-season friendly by six tries to one. In fairness, the earlier game had been much closer than the scoreline suggested; Newport being far more clinical with their chances. This Stafford side was brimming with size where Newport found themselves without their full complement of forwards. Stafford ran amok in the first half, Newport fighting to stay in the game and most importantly defended defiantly to limit Stafford to thirteen points. The second half saw Newport’s forwards use their skill and know-how to eliminate Stafford’s size advantage giving them a platform to chase down and surpass Stafford’s total.

Stafford elected to take the points early on from consecutive penalties after meeting resistance from Newport in the form of successive tackles from Harry Talbot, Ross Williams and Min Rae Hsieh. Stafford found they were able to make ground using their size and strength, but jackling, rucking over and fearless tackling often resulted in Stafford losing possession. Strong defence was also needed from the backs when Stafford tried alternative tactics; Jack Warrilow, Gabe O’ Reilly and Ollie Edwards’ mettle all tested and successfully passed. Eventually and inevitably, Stafford made the tryline but were unable to make any further inroads before the whistle.

Newport changed the whole complexion of the game from the restart when lively Joe Oakes closed down Stafford’s catcher and James Lohan’s ruck-craft earned Newport the penalty. Double act Talbot and Dan Haves backed each other’s’ carries in succession till Hsieh decided to charge through to earn Newport’s first points.

George McClelland’s clever grubber kept play deep in Stafford’s half and Haves’ pick-up from the back of the scrum put Newport ahead. Moments later, Haves was again picking up from the five-yard scrum, but this time Stafford halted him short of the line. Newport weren’t finished, Talbot picked up the baton and Fergus Lamb completed Newport’s three try rampage. Stafford were clearly stunned by Newport’s revival, prompting their collective headshake and renewed endeavour. Gaining territory, they ensured their possession counted when they were close enough, by reverting to using their size at their lineout to maul and drive to the line.

With one point in it, the stakes were now high and Newport faced a real test of character. Hsieh and Alex Bull combined to quash Stafford momentum from the restart and then Lamb, Lohan and Fergus Smith all making vital interventions followed by the indefatigable tackle-machine Talbot relentlessly confronting Stafford’s forwards in turn. Further vital tackles by Rob Taylor after an awkward bounce and by Edwards as Stafford dangerously threatened through a counterattack from Newport’s turned-over lineout all demonstrated a collective Newport ethic. 

As the tense seconds ticked by Stafford, determined not to lose by a solitary point, pressed forward for victory. A Lamb rip, a Rory Charlesworth clearance and a tackle off the ball gave Charlesworth the opportunity to give Newport some breathing space. To the left and almost the entire half, Charlesworth’s kick, as throughout the game, was exemplary. Seeing out the final moments, a famous victory for the relatively diminutive Newport had clearly been based on courageous and skilful forward play. Conceding considerable size, particularly to Stafford’s mammoth number eight did not mean conceding advantage. What Newport showed, particularly in the second half, was that rucking, ripping and jackling at the breakdown combined  with determination, speed and supporting your teammates can make up considerable differentials in size. Yet another superb display.