Kettering 10pts v Newport 21pts

Newport travelled to Kettering in good spirits after their outstanding win at Peterborough the previous week but preparations for this vital match had been somewhat hampered by a flu bug that had affected a number of key players during the week. As it was Jonny Stiles, Sam Lewis and Ben Warrilow were confined to the bench to be introduced at a later stage if needed.

Having lost the toss Newport were asked to play up the hill on a gluepot of a pitch that really wasn’t suited to their open style of play. It was obviously the intention of Kettering to use their wily, experienced pack to dominate possession and play the first period in the Newport 22. It was Newport, however, that dominated the early exchanges and who made their intentions to move the ball quickly perfectly apparent to their opponents.

Newport had the territorial advantage and the bulk of possession in the first 20 minutes and after poor handling had cost them a couple of try scoring opportunities Michael Woodhouse crashed over to the left of the posts for James Curgenven to convert and give them a 7 points to nil advantage.

Kettering were still on the back foot but Newport failed to add to their score as two penalty attempts drifted wide. Sensing a little frustration in the Newport ranks the home side came more into the game and exerted some pressure of their own but it was generally contained at distance. A seemingly innocent hack through looked to be well covered by the defence but a slip in the increasingly muddy conditions saw Kettering win the race to touchdown and convert to tie the scores. A penalty moments later saw Kettering into an unlikely lead but it was short lived. A combination of good handling involving several players put Toby Mann through the gap and he weaved in and out of several defenders before scoring, Curgenven again converting to give Newport a 14 – 10 interval lead.

Much of the second period was reduced to forward exchanges played out in neutral territory as conditions continued to deteriorate with Newport resilient in their desire to retain the lead and Kettering becoming increasingly desperate to save their season. They eventually began to exert the kind of territorial pressure that they had hoped to do from the off but Newport’s defence held firm. The three substitutes entered the fray in the last 20 minutes appearing as bright beacons amongst the mud clad warriors and played a key role in trying to secure this key victory.

A series of scrums and lineouts on the Newport line hinted that it might be stolen from them at the end but having repelled the Kettering advances the home side tried to move the ball blind but a dropped pass 5 yards out saw Sam Egerton scoop up the ball and sprint the remaining 95 yards ploughing a furrow through the mud as he went over wide out. Curgenven again converted to give Newport the victory by 21 points to 10.

This was an outstanding team effort in conditions totally unfamiliar to them that has now opened up a 6 point gap between them and Malvern who currently occupy the third relegation spot. Newport will not be complacent, however, as Malvern have the majority of their outstanding fixtures at home where they are particularly strong.

Their future is in their own hands and another win at home to Luton this Saturday (3pm ko) would go a long way to securing their future at National 3 level and exert revenge for the hammering they received in the away fixture earlier in the season.

Charity Cycle

Kevin Burke and two others will be cycling from Lands End to John O'Groats this September, to raise money for the National Association for Colitis and Crohn's Disease (NACC). To help support their efforts please visit justgiving.com/lejogdavetimkev