Sat 15 Apr 2023, 15:00
Sometimes these end-of-season games can have a “dead-rubber” feel about them especially as Newport had secured their National League status several weeks back but there was none of that for Dings who were “gunning” for the runners-up spot and no doubt keen to gain revenge for their defeat at Stade Bloor back in February
With Nat Titchard-Jones, Matt Meek and Oli Buckley all missing from the front five there were starts for Jack Wells, Kaid O’Neill and George Boughey but Newport’s cause was unfortunately hindered further when early injuries brought their bench in to play rather earlier than intended.
The opening skirmishes were fairly even on the 4G pitch at the wonderful facilities on show at Shaftesbury Park on the outskirts of Bristol until Newport were caught off-side, the resultant penalty dispatched to touch five metres out and hooker Joe Hawkesby driven over for the first try of the day, the extras added by the impressive TJ Wilstead to give Dings a 7 – 0 lead after eight minutes.
Newport then knocked on thirty metres out and from the solid home scrum the ball went quickly right where Matt Jones gathered a clever cross-kick to finish in the corner for a twelve-point advantage but on twenty-two minutes Chris Taylor broke the defensive line and popped Finn Barnes through the gap allowing George Castledine to dink through and score by the posts, converting to narrow the gap to 12 – 7. The recovery was only brief, however, when good fast hands got Soloman Taufa over in the left-hand corner to make it 19 – 7. By now top try-scorer Danny Brough had limped off to be replaced by Jack Ingram and Jake Leonard was struggling with a knee injury. Dings took advantage of the visitor’s woes with Wilstead ghosting through out wide before Jones added his second moments before the interval which finished with Dings well in control at 29 – 7.
Leonard would play no further part and was replaced by Nick Yeoward at half-time who gave an assured performance in his place. Not the start to the second period that Newport would have wanted when they were caught napping whilst a quick throw in from touch saw scrum-half Tom Knight race in down the right touchline from fifty metres out. When Wilstead added two more converted tries, in part due to some fairly soft defending from Newport, all within four minutes of each other it looked as though Newport were falling apart with a 50 – 7 scoreline and still another twenty-six minutes remaining.
Queue Ricky Bailey who as always looks dangerous when given the opportunity to run from deep and he duly obliged, tearing through from fifty out to score a fine individual try, converted by Castledine to make it 50 -14. Newport appeared re-energised and spurred on by skipper Connor Adams and through the promptings of Castledine they looked like a different side. Although Dings added another through Chris Rovery, Rhys Morgan was battering over the gain-line freeing up Castledine to score his second duly converted for 57 – 21 and what had seemed worlds away just a matter of minutes ago they were now in with a chance of picking up a four try bonus point which duly arrived when, after a period of pressure Matt Hubbart stretched over following a quick tap from Adams, Castledine making it a perfect day with the boot and a score of 57 – 28. Dings had the last laugh, however, when Rovery bagged another converted try to finish the scoring at 64 – 28.
A weakened Newport squad were deservedly beaten by a skillful, well-drilled Dings outfit who do indeed move into second spot following Clifton’s defeat at Luctonians. Despite not having the best of things they dug in when needed and showed some serious fighting spirit to take a point home to Newport.
The season concludes next Saturday with the visit of Old Redcliffians who will arrive at Stade Bloor for the very first time. Please note to comply with League regulations the match will kick-off at 3pm.
Written by: Chris Wilde
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