Sat 3 Dec 2022
After a close defeat in the earlier reverse fixture against Handsworth, Newport were determined to make amends with a convincing and dominant performance. A try-fest of six in each half without reply did not flatter Newport’s Second XV, in fact, once the first few staccato moments were disposed of, Newport controlled the game both in attack and defence.
Throughout, Luke Kendall and Fin Barnes bossed the tempo with strength and guile, but it was after they grasped the game both making hard yards in those first uncertain moments that stamped Newport’s authority on proceedings. Sam Sergeant’s fly kick to Handsworth’s corner initiated Newport’s attack. Handsworth resisted desperately, only for their goalline drop-out to be collected by Tomasi Ratu who re-applied pressure and Matt Hubbard obliged with the final steps to open Newport’s account.
Newport’s pack then drove through Handsworth’s scrum twice and despite winning a free kick from Newport’s over-exuberance, Newport quickly won back possession and Kendall’s long pass opened attacking lines on the right wing for Josh Raqio and Tom Griffiths to exploit. It was the left wing though that Raqio broke through shortly after to register Newport’s second.
Handsworth knew they needed to get impetus into the game, but as they tried to push forward, they met steely resistance; Sergeant, Phil Bradley, Ben Turner, Fergus Lamb joining Kendall and Barnes, not only tackling Handsworth to a standstill but also driving them back. Handsworth escaped to Newport’s 22 through a series of penalties, but this only gave space for Newport to counter from deep; Sergeant finding Raqio, whose 60-yard sprint ended under the posts. Moments later, Lamb’s swervy run of a similar distance managed to complete to the tryline, despite Handsworth’s failed decapitation attempt which rightfully earned a sinbin.
Richard Biggins’ brace of mammoth tackles and then Turner’s to stymie Handsworth break ensured Newport maintained their shut-out. Newport convincingly ended the half with Barnes starting and finishing Newport’s fifth try with Griffith’s skilful chip and run in between, and then Barnes again, this time thwarted just ten yards short, but finding Lamb in support to pop-up to get the sixth.
Newport took a few moments to settle back in to the second half but were soon extending the try tally when Lamb broke free to find Henry Holmes and in turn Rhys Williams’ who flew down the left and right turned under the posts. Barnes’ unstoppable diagonal dart was then followed by Turner, whose interchanging passes with Holmes from short range charted Newport’s eighth and ninth respectively.
Lamb rode several challenges to plant his hat-trick, Charlie Gamble stormed to the left-hand corner and Gabe O Reilly squeezed down the right-hand wing for Newport’s last three tries. Raqio’s intervention to halt Handsworth’s full speed counter demonstrated Newport’s hunger and desire in all aspects to properly dominate this encounter.
Consecutive resounding victories with bonus points has significantly nudged Newport up the table and eager to maintain this level of performance for the next challenge against Harbourne.
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