Sat 3 Sep 2022, 15:00
A historic day for the club did not go to plan on the pitch as Newport were well beaten by a very accomplished outfit in Old Redcliffians. Reds have previous experience at this level and it certainly showed on this opening day of the season.
As well as Red’s excellent play Newport did not help themselves with a series of individual errors that occurred regularly throughout the afternoon. In their defence Newport weren’t best prepared having had pre-season games cancelled and looked distinctly ring-rusty whereas their opponents had racked up plenty of game-time.
Having made several summer signings there were debuts for Tristan De Jager, Josh Kent, George Boughey, Nick Titchard-Jones, Storm Hanekom and Nick Murphy as well as the returning Max Himbury who were all included in the match day 20.
Newport won the toss and went up the hill but soon conceded their opening penalty at the first scrum of the day. The resultant kick went into the corner where the home pack drove to the line before releasing their backs, the elusive Ezra Caven getting the first of what was to be his four tries on the day. The score was converted by the impressive Ash Groves to give Reds a 7 – 0 lead after just five minutes. Early days but Newport were conceding a series of penalties allowing the home side to set up threatening field position. The second Reds score followed a similar story to the first try but this time run in down the left by Finn Murphy extending the lead to 12 – 0 with ten minutes gone.
As Newport began to find their feet a little it was still errors causing them problems brought about by the sheer line speed and ferocity of the Bristol side’s defence. At least Newport had started to make life a bit more difficult for the home side so it was no surprise when Groves decided to take the three points on offer after thirty-two minutes to stretch the lead to 15 – 0.
Just as Newport were thinking they could get through to the break with a recoverable deficit, disaster struck. The visitors were attacking only to see a pass intercepted and Caven streaked away to score in the corner. The same player completed his first half hat-trick by scooping up a loose ball on half way and racing under the posts for Groves to convert and a 27 – 0 advantage at half time.
Newport would need the first score to give themselves even the slightest of sniff of getting back into the game but they soon created an overlap down the left and Tristan De Jager was over in the corner, Connor Adams nailing a difficult conversion to reduce the deficit to 27 – 7. Cue the restart, De Jager collects the kick beats the chasing pack, then weaves his way through numerous defenders to score under the posts for what was a wonderful individual score from around seventy metres out, converted again by Adams. Newport were suddenly back in it, or maybe they weren’t! Having swung the momentum back in their favour they then conceded a number of needless penalties and Reds took full advantage. Groves slotted another penalty on fifty-two minutes to make it 30 – 14 before the floodgates opened.
Bob Adams made full use of his bench to try and regain the initiative but to no avail. Newport’s front up tackling had been fragile at best and as the game progressed Reds talented backline exposed them even further. Jon Cook crossed on fifty-four minutes, Will Luxford (on fifty-eight) followed by Caven who added his fourth (on sixty-six) and Jamie Collier (on seventy-five), all of which were converted by Groves for a final score of 58 – 14.
A chastening experience for both coaches and players alike bringing a stark realisation of what is required to compete at this level. The work begins immediately in readiness for the visit of old foes Bournville this coming Saturday. Please note ALL 1st XV Home fixtures will kick off at 2.15 this season.
Team: 15 Castledine, 14 Himbury, 13 Leonard, 12 Bailey, 11 De Jager, 10 Adams, 9 Brown, 8 Kent, 7 Morton, 6 Boughey, 5 Buckley, 4 Goulson, 3 Grass, 2 Cowell, 1 Titchard-Jones
Bench: 16 Wells, 17 Hanekom, 18 Murphy, 19 Hubbart, 20 Perry
Written by: Chris Wilde
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