Newport (Salop) RUFC

Sat 17 Sep 2022

Newport (Salop) II

39 - 19

(HT 0-0)

Harborne

Newport (Salop) II

Harborne

This Saturday the 2nd XV welcomed Harborne to The Old Showground for the 3rd game in their new league. Reeling from their close defeat to Handsworth the weekend previously, the 2nds were desperate for a first start. This came straight from the kick off, with Tom Higgins dropping the ball into a gap in the Harborne set-up, which was excellently taken by Billy Parry. Harborne infringed immediately, coming around the side of the ruck. Jack Ingram took a quick tap penalty, scythed through the Harborne defence, and got Newport's 1st try under the posts with just 20 seconds on the clock. Ingram converted his own try, 7-0 to Newport.

Harborne's restart was knocked into touch from a Newport hand, giving them the opportunity to get their attack going. After a few phases and some strong defence from Newport, Fergus Lamb expertly stole the ball in a tackle and made a break down the middle, offloading and then playing his own ball left from the resultant ruck, quick hands and some fast footwork saw Gabe O'Reilly dot down for Newport's 2nd try after just a couple of minutes. Conversion missed, 12-0 to Newport.

The next restart, Harborne kicked out on the full, gifting Newport a scrum on the halfway line. After a strong scrum from Newport’s pack, the ball was worked to the right wing to James Bent, who broke multiple tackles and surged forward. Good support play from Rob Taylor saw him collect the offload from Benty, and dive over for Newport’s 3rd. Again, no conversion, the score 17-0.

Newport’s bonus point try came from Fergus Lamb making a fantastic intercept and break down the left, despite being tackled into touch he was able to keep the ball alive , rolling it back towards tighthead prop Richard Biggin - who made the obvious decision to kick it downfield. Harborne’s full back collected the ball, albeit under huge pressure from Beeching and Ingram, and again Biggin was the quickest to react, pouncing on loose ball at the back of the ruck and earning a Newport penalty for holding on. Newport went quickly, moving the ball right to James Bent who finished strongly. Again, the conversion was missed. 22-0 to Newport.

For Newport’s 5th, Rob Taylor made the initial break, but his pass to the wing was intercepted by the Harborne fly-half. He was tackled quickly, and Taylor was first to react earning a penalty jackaling over the ball. Another quick tap, and a strong carry from Ross Hemming earned another penalty, tapped quickly again, and transferred right for Fergus Lamb to score. No conversion, 27-0 to Newport at the break.

Harborne struck back early in the 2nd Half, good pressure from their Maul and some strong carries saw them crashing over for their 1st try of the game on 42 minutes. Try converted, 27-7. Newport then enjoyed a strong period of possession, further indiscipline from Harborne saw Luke Kendall crash over in the corner after a quick tap penalty. Ingram converted. 34-7. Harborne came back quickly to score a try from an impressive rolling maul, something they had threatened to do all game. This try converted, taking the score to 34-14.

Energised by their two scores, Harborne continued to apply serious pressure on Newport’s 5m line, through strong carries in their forwards. Whilst attempting to move the ball wide, Harborne's wing knocked on in the tackle and Newport counter attacked immediately, charging up field through Sam Sargent and then Immanuel Shute, who stepped 3 Harborne defender sand then offloaded to Goulson. Goulson then offloaded out of the tackle to Ingram, who stepped Harborne’s full back and dotted down a fantastic team try. 39-14. The game ended with a well worked try for Harborne at the death, unconverted. Final score, 39-19 to Newport.

Congratulations to man of the match Will Parry and to debutant James Scott. Next weekend see's the 2nd's travel to Bridgnorth II for what promises to be an exciting derby day encounter.

Ben Turner