Newport (Salop) RUFC

Sat 1 Oct 2022, 14:30

Redruth

95 - 7

(HT 48-0)

Newport (Salop)

Redruth

Newport (Salop)

Newport made the long haul down to the depths of Cornwall broken up by an overnight stay in Exeter for what will be by far their longest trip of the season, but the hotel breakfast was all that could be celebrated on a miserable day for the visitors. 

Redruth came within a whisker of promotion to National 1 last season and although they have not made the best of starts this term, they proved far too hot to handle for last year’s Midlands Premier champions. 

Yet again, unavailability and injuries reduced Newport’s squad to the bare bones, so it was always going to be a tough test. Whilst Newport came up with their own production of “Comedy of Errors” Redruth hardly put a foot wrong all afternoon and produced an awesome display of how the game should be played. They were fitter, stronger, faster and clinical in everything they did, and the score doesn’t by any stretch flatter them. 

Newport wasn’t without support as a large contingent had taken the chance to book a long weekend amongst the palm trees and pampas grass of the Southwest but like everyone else in the camp were left very disappointed in their team’s performance.

It was basically one way traffic from the off. Once the impressive fly half Fraser Honey had knocked over a penalty when Newport failed to roll away after just two minutes Redruth were able to feed off the visitor’s mistakes and exert virtually non-stop pressure and possession until they crossed the try line. 

Not for the first time this season Newport struggled at scrum time resulting in either penalties against them or front football for Honey to orchestrate play. In all honesty he could have played all afternoon in his best suit, such was the dominance of the home pack.

Tries came for Will Trewin after seven minutes, Dean Bonds from an interception  when Newport were attacking (on twelve), Bonds again four minutes later, hooker Richard Brown one of several tries from catch and drives (on twenty-two), Bear Williams the home sides outstanding open side flanker (on thirty-three) then winger Lewis Thomas with a smart brace just before the break, Honey’s conversions making it 48 - 0 at half time. 

Sadly, no respite for Newport as Redruth dished out more of the same in the second period coming to within one score of racking up three figures.

Further tries for replacement Mackenzie Oliver who managed a second half hat-trick with scores on forty-five, fifty-four and seventy-eight minutes. Harry Bazalgette bagged a brace on forty-nine and fifty-six minutes. Ed Pascoe crossed on sixty minutes and there was also a penalty try to add into the mix. 

The biggest cheer of the day came on seventy-four minutes when at last Newport retained possession for more than a couple of phases and managed to create space for Charlie Gamble to race in for a try in “Hellfire Corner”, Jake Leonard knocking over a superb touch line conversion.

Newport was finally put out of their misery when the final whistle signalled the end of a thoroughly one-sided contest with a final score of 95 - 7. 

Needless to say, Newport have much to work on. The scrum needs fixing, the penalty count must come down although these two problems are probably interlinked, and individual players must take responsibility for their own errors and decision making.

A break next week, which is probably no bad thing, before they take on Loughborough Students at home on October 15th. This result will not define Newport’s season as in all sport you have the chance to make amends the next time, you’re on the pitch so everyone will be looking forward to proving that is very much the case.