The first competitive fixture of the 2008/09 season saw the Under 13s host Bridgnorth on a very very wet 3rd team pitch !  Newport's starting XV had an unusual look to it with an unexpected number of regulars missing due to injuries, colds, a party and flooding!!  With only 8 forwards available (one prop, 3 hookers, 3 second rows & a flanker !), front row expert, Harry Redwood, started the match at flanker. Many of the backs were also playing in unfamiliar positions.

 

Newport's lack of experience soon told and Bridgnorth, spreading the ball wide, found space to attack and scored easily. However, the first half saw pleasing debuts in Newport shirts for Kyle Drummond and George Plant in the back three, and Kieren Boyle who had a promising first game at hooker. Josh Young came on as a replacement part way through the half for his first competitive game of rugby union and started with a good chase and tackle.

 

The makeshift pack also performed well despite a significant size disadvantage - Frank Williams & JR Smith doing excellent work in the scrum - the lineout competing well and winning their fair share of ball through some intelligent throwing from flanker Redwood & front jumping from Oliver North and Jack Harris - however, some of the ball was scrappy and put the half-backs under unnecessary pressure (something to think about for next week's match!) The whole pack performed well in the loose with Oliver North, Sammy Bryan and Sam Young tackling, rucking and mauling their hearts out!

 

The unfamiliar back line adapted well with the more experienced players marshalling the new boys to give more shape to Newport's defence.  Half backs Ben Scarisbrick & Joe Furlong defended well close in, ably supported by Ross McGinn and Nathan Smart in the centre, but Newport alwys looked vulnerable out wide and conceded further tries.  Making the best they could of possession from an under-pressure scrum they launched some attacks but were unable to put wing Tyler Felton in to sufficient space for his pace to tell.

 

The second half saw some interesting shuffling with fly-half Furlong moving to flanker to allow Redwood to return to the front-row. McGinn moved to 10 with Smart going to full back and the remaining squad members, Joe Wright, Kieran Farge and Ryan Dawes joined the back line. Newport changed their tactics after the break - the forwards taking more loose ball forward and pressurising Bridgnorth ball - nobody did this more than Jack Harris who, playing only his second competitive game of union, was outstanding - on one occasion chasing a kick-off, wrapping up the catcher and driving him back 15 metres before the defence could halt his progress.

 

The backs were still at the mercy of Bridgnorth's pace and expansive game, conceding further tries, but showed some pleasing variations in style - half-backs Scarisbrick and McGinn combined well to release full back Smart running from deep.  This change in approach worked well a number of times and resulted in Newport scoring a well deserved try.

 

Congratulations to Bridgnorth who ran out easy winners, exploiting their advantages and Newport's inexperience to good effect.

 

However, the match gave many of the newer players a taste of competitive rugby from which they'll benefit; the makeshift pack performed particularly well; and the more experienced players were asked to both play out of position and organise the newer players, which they did valiantly.

 

So, whilst the scoreline wasn't pleasing (sorry Phil, you'll have to tell me what it was - I didn't count the kicks!), and although the weather wasn't good, the performance of all of the players in the context of the match certainly was. A great effort!