Sat 15 Oct 2022, 14:15
National League 2 West
Newport Pluck defeat from the Jaws of Victory
Newport 22pts Loughborough Student 24pts
Not even a hat-trick from Hendry Vaka on his 150th appearance for the club was enough for Newport to claim victory in what was a thoroughly entertaining and ultimately see-saw match that ended in huge disappointment for the hosts. Newport will look back on this match knowing that, having grabbed the initiative in a very impressive second half, they should have come out on top and taken the spoils. Alas, If’s and But’s and Maybe’s they will have to settle for just the two bonus points.
Not unexpectedly there were changes to the line up that travelled to Redruth with Vaka, Max Himbury, Ollie Buckley and Kieran Forbes all restored to the starting line-up alongside new tight-head prop Kaid O’Neill who on first showing looks to have helped solve some of Newport’s problems at scrum time.
Newport won the toss and gave the visitors the advantage of wind and slope and play immediately found itself very much in the Newport half where despite a few sorties from the home side it would remain for most of the first period. Despite having the bulk of the territory and possession the visitors line-out was malfunctioning and they were also coming second best at the scrum where O’Neill was doing exactly what he was brought in to do.
Newport generally play the slope very well but less so today. They coughed up the ball too easily and were guilty of some fairly aimless kicking that either went down the throats of the Student’s back three or went sideways into touch. It was only a matter of time before the visitors clicked and on fourteen minutes prop Tim Hoyt muscled his way over after a series of quick tap penalties for the opening score. Tom Smith was unable to convert so not too much damage done at 0 – 5. Newport continued to huff and puff but without too much cohesion so were easily contained by a resolute and well organised Loughborough defence.
There was one bright moment for the home side when Jake Leonard, Vaka and Charlie Gamble combined well down the right flank but the ball was spilled in what might have been a scoring pass. The visitors were running hard and straight onto the ball and busting the gain line almost at will but still the Newport defence held until the twenty-fourth minute when Hoyt, again, found himself at the back of a driving maul and buried over for the second try to make it 0 – 10.
George Castledine made a good break up-field but lack of support meant it came to nought before a shanked clearance kick gave Loughborough great field possession and they didn’t waste the opportunity, Tom Smith gliding through by the posts after constant pressure, the conversion of his own try extending the lead to 0 – 17. Newport did enjoy a period of possession but with little penetration and judging by the way they were playing a seventeen-point margin looked ample to see the Students through the second half safely despite the fact they would be up against the elements.
Much better would be required from Newport if they were to get anywhere near the visitors but suddenly they were transformed and produced probably their best half hour’s rugby of the current campaign.
Leonard put a penalty to within five metres and a series of driving mauls took Newport ever closer until Connor Adams popped a pass to Vaka on the charge who dotted down for an important score, Leonard converting to reduce the deficit to 7 -17 after forty-three minutes.
Suddenly Newport were playing with style and confidence, retaining possession with Buckley showing the way and at the forefront of most things, Josh Kent and Nick Titchard-Jones also coming more and more into the game. Just three minutes later another set of good phases made ground before Himbury was released down the left. He was brought down short but Vaka was close at hand to force his way over in the corner and bring it back to 12 – 17.
Everyone at Forton Road, visiting spectators included, sensed a momentum swing and this time after another good run Himbury did make the line to score and draw things level at 17 – 17 and still twenty-six minutes remained for Newport to use the elements to good effect and force another score and it came just four minutes later, on fifty-nine minutes, truly a magnificent team try, multiple phases eventually creating the space for Vaka to ghost in under the posts to complete a memorable day for him.
Inexplicably though, Leonard pulled his conversion attempt wide so the lead was only five rather than seven. Although they led the worry was that the Students would surely get another chance and so it panned out, a series of penalties taking them into the Newport twenty-two where they patiently maintained control of the ball before hooker Seb Smith plunged over, Tom Smith converting to make it 22 – 24.
Fifteen minutes left for Newport to rescue it. Make no mistake, Newport should have won this in the time available. Gamble was held up over the line, Leonard had a penalty shot to win it but again pulled it wide but generally they failed because panic set in. Passes were forced when simple was all that was required, more lessons to be learned from this landmark season in National League Rugby.
Next week a trip to local rivals Stourbridge who are experiencing their own struggles this season and a game that both sides will be desperate to win.
Written by: Chris Wilde
.JPG?v=638050476508783149){kind=link}
.JPG?v=638050476516421137){kind=link}
.JPG?v=638050476527323943){kind=link}