Newport 23 Vs Stafford 17

So, a new season is upon us, along with a mix of 40+players over two age groups and a run of pre-season friendlies to start building connections and understanding would begin just over the border with a trip to Newport on a dry Friday evening.
The game was split into quarters and with a diaganol wind and a lowering sun in their face Stafford would kick off this 2024-2025 season.
Stafford looked good early on with phases being won along with penalities and a kick to touch would see their first foray into the opposing 22. Unfortunately, despite hard lines being run , Stafford would find themselves on the retreat as two penalties in quick succession saw Newport move downhill. A third penalty would see the home team opt for posts and Newport took the lead (3-0).
Stafford kept working and a break down the blindside by Will B saw a scrambling defence tackle high and Stafford kicked to touch and a lineout 5m from the line. The attacking threat ended after a knock on, and further penalties would cost the colts field position. Newport instead of kicking saw a slow retreat from Stafford, tapped and made ground seeing an over commitment at the breakdown and they then went wide and the winger went in from just inside his own half to extend the lead. (10-0).
Stafford continued to push and some good carries by Dexter, Mason (with the obligatory dummy) and Morgan again pushed Newport back. Another penalty stopped the good work and following a Newport scrum, the home team cleared their line with a long kick. Freddie covered well in his 22, the ball was recycled quickly, and Ethan broke out, on another day he may have gone the length, but a good covering tackle snuffed out the chance.
The quarter ended with a mix of knock ons, penalties and scrums with both teams playing in the central third.
A plethora of changes at the break saw no drop in the pace of the game. Newport continued to push and good cover by Tom dropping deep from his wing saw Stafford clean up a potential problem. Rich Austin in at centre ran a super line off quickly recycled ball to get Newport on the back foot, this was followed by further big carries by Jack and Farai only for the phase count to be stopped once again for a penalty. The phases were building, and you could see the connections growing only for small calls to stop any rewards.
The defence again held well against the bigger home team and after a good press in the midfield caused a turnover, Mason would find room to make some yards, the attack was backed up by a good run from Connor. The ball was quick and a switch move in the backs saw a gaping hole for Jack, who went round the prop, sat down his winger and open the colts scoring just before the half time break (Will B adding the conv) (10-7).
Quarter 3 started with Stafford keeping on the pressure, with the forwards making good ground. Having sucked in the opposition, Stafford went wide and the wingers made ground only to see a loose ball at a ruck squirt out and a Newport player scoot up the sideline for a try against the run of play. (15-7)
Stafford though came straight back. A solid scrum set a platform for Morgan to get space, Leon sold the dummy run and a miss pass to Jack saw the centre go in untouched. (15-12) from inside his own half.
Stafford were still well in the game and were starting to get the upper hand in the scrums and the breakdown thanks to tireless forward play, however penalties again would be the downfall as Newport cleared their lines each time. The home team continued to press and a tackle in the air saw another penalty, Newport ran the ball and a quick recycle would see them score in the corner to increase the lead (20-12).
As time ticked into the fourth quarter, Stafford continued to push for more. The backs through Leon and Jack continued the push and the forwards through Carter and Matty added to the yardage. One hard line from Jack saw the centre go through and a lovely reverse pass and a good support line from Ellis continued the attack. Eventually the ball came out to Connor (now playing in the back row) who put in a big step, an even bigger fend and powered through to score (20-17 missed conv)
As the light began to fade Stafford had one more push, but it wasn’t to be, a stolen lineout and penalty for a high tackle would see Newport kick a penalty and the game would end 23-17.
It was an encouraging start despite the loss as 32 players got game time, (including 8 wingers!), and you could see the work that had been put in over the off season. This is not the finished article and there is still much to be done, but as a starting point, there was plenty to be encouraged by.