Newport 10 Vs Stafford 17

After a host of injuries and illnesses, Stafford took 17 players to Newport to play a team who we know will be big up front and play mainly down the central third, which meant the forwards were going to have to go big and front up.
With the forecast of a storm over the weekend, it was surprisingly dry and mild but with a strong wind running from try line to line, it was going to be a case of who could use the wind to their advantage, it was no surprise then that the home team played into it to start the game.
It was a slow start to the game with some of the players looking like they had enjoyed their weekend and with Stafford slow to compete at the rucks, Newport was able to extinguish the early Stafford forays into the Newport half. With the ball being turned over Dylan stepped up and tackled the Newport 8 breaking from the scrum, got straight back on his feet and made a second tackle to set the precedence for the rest of the team. The next to start putting in the hits was Jonah, who despite not being captain today (Danail stepping in) was leading by example as he often does.
It was going back and forth with decent carries by Rich on the wing as Stafford pushed wide and by Oli going up the middle, but penalties kept stifling the effort. Stafford were in the ascendancy and after Rich now in defence made two big tackles on the wing, the ball was turned over. Carta carried really well in the centres and offloaded with Danail making a bullish run breaking tackles into the Newport half. Ed, Carta again and Oscar all ran hard and the recycling was quick and the backs went left from a quick recycle. Connor playing on the opposite wing went hunting for work and hit a lovely line to burst through and open the scoring, Harry W adding the two (0-7).
It is often said that you are at your most vulnerable in sport to conceding from the restart. Well, that is something we are going to be working on. A knock-on from the restart gave Newport good field position and despite more tackles from Jonah, the opposition winger carried well twice and broke through some poor grabs to close the gap. (5-7).
The game continued with Newport pushing forward with an increased confidence, however Danail was acting like a wrecking ball as he carried big again, bouncing 3 wannabe tacklers , only for the offload to be knocked on and the promising attack stalling. That would start a strange 5 minutes of play which was frustrating am sure for the players and coaches alike, in simple form from my notes, Dylan tackles, Jonah turnover, Tyler carry, someone knocked on, Newport attack, Matty turnover, Stafford knocked on. Newport scrum, Connor, Dylan and Jonah tackles get penalty , turnover Stafford lost line-out. Thankfully it was then half time, as the Terriers just needed a reset and to stop pushing for the glory pass or offload and just trust themselves in attack.
With the second half underway and a new combo at 9 and 10 (Will V & Will B), it was the home team who got on top. A Stafford knock on in the Newport half and a fly hack saw the ball and Stafford retreat back within their 22 where a scrum would restart the game. Newport took it against the head and from a quick recycle scored to take the lead. (10-7).
Stafford though looked unfazed (and slightly more awake than the first half) and some hard carries by Carta and Oscar following some good pods by the pack got the Terriers back up the pitch. A free kick against the home team saw quick thinking by Will Vn to tap and go and Will B made a super run to get the Terriers into the opposing 22, another free kick and another quick take was soon followed by a penalty near to the sticks and despite the wind in his face, Will B knocked it over to level things up. (10-10)
Again from the restart Stafford allowed pressure and conceded a penalty. Stafford were now defending their own line and Jonah came up with two big hits to force the attacking team back and when it looked as if the Newport prop had gone over, Harry W managed to get underneath and hold the ball up. Again, defence stepping up in big spots.
From the restart it was Newport this time who failed to deal with the ball cleanly and good hands through the backs saw Connor get to halfway, Will B followed up with a half break and only an infringement stopped anymore progress, the penalty undoing the hard work and Newport cleared.
With the time ticking on, it need another big effort by one of the teams to gain the advantage. For Stafford this effort started with another big Danail carry, well supported by Matty and Oli who provided quick ball for the backs and Will B (now at 12) carried on even further. Another recycle and Connor (hunting again from his wing) took on and scored under the posts, Will B adding the two. (10-17).
Newport you thought had one more big attack, especially with the wind but from the restart they kicked long and the ball went dead. Despite winning a penalty shortly after and reaching the Stafford 22, the home team gave away a penalty which was kicked out and the game was done.
This again was a great test for the team and all 17 played really well. The pack went the full game and all 8 looked shattered, big shout out to all of them, especially Carter (playing in the back row) who did a great job along with Tyler. Danail who is a very different captain to Jonah and led from the front, even being complemented by the Referee for the way he led things. In the backs, Will B is certainly getting back to fitness and looks sharper every week, and Connor who had a big grin pre game when he was told to go hunting from his wing for the ball and was rewarded with two tries.
However, Jonah deserved MOTM this week, he wasn’t due to play and stepped up late, and despite not being captain, in the locker room before the game he got people focused (I won't write what I heard) and on the pitch he was a machine in the defensive line and at the break down.
So, we move on to a home game and look to continue the momentum as we build to the semi. Hopefully those with knocks and injuries get fit soon and we can have a healthy squad as games are coming thick and fast.
And one final mention, to all the parents and family who came to watch, you were definitely heard and it makes such a difference to the team to hear that support, and to Teri who should have been enjoying her Sunday morning at home, but bought Leon along as he wanted to support his mates. This to me sums up what this Terriers team is about.