Sunday saw the Under 13s entertain Newcastle and a welcome return to the Old Showground for Tom Winfield (unfortunately this time in Newcastle colours !)

 

 

 

 

Missing a few key players due to illness, injury and school sevens duty, Newport started excellently, playing at their own pace and competing well against a bigger pack. However the first score went to the visitors with a powerful run from deep in their own half, accompanied by several missed tackles (I counted at least 3 ).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This seemed to upset the home side and was to set the trend for the morning. Newport battled well as individuals but failed to play as a team. In the rucks a quick arrival and early hard work should have secured lots of phase ball - but a lack of concentration meant the ball wasn't delivered to the back of the ruck and Newcastle siezed their opportunties and counter-rucked well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the game wore on Newport's tackling declined (not universally - several players worked really hard & Ross tackled like a man possessed !) - Newcastle were quick to feed their bigger players and faster players to take maximum advantage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So a below-par performance from Newport - this was a match we could have won if we'd played as a team and put our visitors under more pressure.

 

 

 

 

Below is some very brief video from the match: