Sat 10 Sep 2022
On Saturday the 2nd XV travelled to Handsworth for their first away game of the season. After the weeks rain the pitch was in fantastic condition, albeit on a considerable slope from end to end. Electing to play uphill in the first half, Newport were unable to cleanly exit after the kick off and conceded a penalty which allowed Handsworth to apply pressure through their forwards first with a maul and then with some pick and goes before they crashed over. Conversion missed, 5-0 to Handsworth. After the restart, Handsworth were playing out from their own 22 when Biggin knocked the ball out of the Handsworth's no9's hands in the tackle. The referee deemed this to be cynical play, and Biggin was yellow carded. This allowed Handsworth to apply more pressure, kicking long downfield and in almost identical fashion to their first try, they eventually got their second. The conversion was again missed, the score 10-0. Down to 14 men, Newport battled hard against the hill and Handsworths pack, conceding two more penalties which were both kicked to make the score 16-0 to Handsworth. Newport finally made a breakthrough right at the close of the first half, playing immediately wide right off the top of a lineout, and then straight left again for Jake Lucas to score in the corner. Half time score, 16:5.
As the 2nd half began, Newport applied serious pressure forcing multiple infringements by Handsworth in their own 22, with a strict warning from the referee that any further infringements would result in a yellow card, Newport continued to apply pressure forcing more penalties from Handsworths indiscipline - however despite the penalties, Handsworth retained their full complement of players and Newport opted to take 3 points. Unfortunately, Keiran Farges kick was just wide, so the score remained 16:5. From the resulting 22 dropout, Handsworth's fly half kicked the ball straight out so Newport were given a scrum on Handsworth's 22. After multiple phases, Phil Bradley was quick to react to a hole at the side of the ruck, scoring Newports 2nd try, converted by Dillon Finnegan. The score, 16:12. From the kick off, Newport quickly progressed down the hill towards Handsworths tryline, and quick ball from the base of the ruck saw Billy Parry take advantage of a massive overlap to the left-hand side to score under the posts, again converted by Finnegan taking the score to 16:19. Handsworth hit back quickly with another try after strong carries from their forwards, who despite Newports scrum and lineout dominance were beginning to impose themselves on the game, with the conversion the score stood at 19-23.
From the kick-off return, the ball was recycled quickly right, and debutant Rob Taylor made a sublime break from inside the Newport 22, weaving through Handsworths defense and putting in a perfectly weighted grubber kick under the posts, unfortunately Rob was tackled off the ball by the Handsworth full back and was unable to touch the ball down for what would've been a contender for try of the season. This was not deemed a try scoring opportunity so was just a penalty, however finally Newport's pressure paid off and Handsworth had a man sent to the sin bin. A brace of tries from Fergus Lamb soon followed, firstly from a quick tap penalty and a fine pass from Sam Sargent to put him through the gap, and then the second was after quick recycling off the ball and simple hands for a strong finish in the corner. Finnegan converted the 2nd, and Newport led 23:31 heading into the final ten minutes. Handsworth fought desperately to regain possession, winning penalties, and marching up the hill towards Newport's tryline. Neiko Modhi was sent to the sin bin for an offside, and Handsworth, as they had done all game used their powerful forwards to score a try which was converted. With a minute on the game, Handsworth trailed by 2 points. They were able once again to use penalties to gain possession and territory, and with the clock in the red were awarded the opportunity to win the game with a penalty kick, which was scored meaning the final score was a heartbreaking 32:31 to Handsworth.
Congratulations to Handsworth for the win, and thanks for hosting. We look forward to the return fixture at The Old Showground. Congratulations also to man of the match Fergus Lamb, who backed up his performance last week with another stormer and two tries in what was his second senior game. Congratulations also to Rob Taylor for his Newport senior debut. The 2nd XV host Harborne at The Old Showground next, where they will look to bounce back against the table toppers.
Please enter your page detail here. This can be HTML or text. To edit click the first menu icon on the small HTML menu that appears when you click on this text. Please use the elements on the right if you wish to construct a richer page content with headers, images and layout grids.
.JPG?v=638050476508783149){kind=link}
.JPG?v=638050476516421137){kind=link}
.JPG?v=638050476527323943){kind=link}