photo by Ian Lovell

New boys Blackwood Bulldogs pushed Newport Titans to the limit at Pill Harriers before finally succumbing to their more experienced hosts 44-36.

It took over 20 minutes for the first score to be registered as the defences ruled for much of the first half and it was Blackwood who went in at the break leading 12-8 thanks to tries from Grenville Jones and David James that were both converted by Jeremy Lloyd. 12-0 up, Newport responded with two tries of their own as Lewis Coverwell and Johnny Dowd both crossed but neither were converted.

The second half was a classic. Newport took the lead early on after Coverwell went over for his second of the game with Neil McKimm converting. Blackwood then pulled away again and took a ten-point lead with two tries from Byron Williams, Lloyd converting both.

The match then swung Newport’s way as they scored three on the bounce to take a 28-24 lead. Anthony Lott ran in for the first with McKimm converting before Martin Corley scored two unconverted tries.

Byron Williams then ran for his hat-trick with Lloyd converting to swing the pendulum Blackwood’s way again before Newport finally stamped their seal on the game with two tries from Mark Wheeler and one from Adrian Owen.

However, a try from Gareth Slocombe and another successful Lloyd kick made the final score a respectable 44-36 to Newport.

Article by Ian Golden
3 June 2006