photo by Ian Lovell

Blackwood Bulldogs moved into joint second place with Newport Titans after beating them 42-28 in a thriller at Glan-yr-afon Park.

Newport went into the match as strong favourites but lacked direction and leadership mainly due to coach Dan Clements being away with the Wales under-19 squad in France. However, they were 10-0 up in as many minutes after Pete Overy scored under the sticks with Ross Palmer converting and Kirk Johnson adding another soon after.

From then on, it was Blackwood’s game as cousins, Robert and Gerwyn Landrygan ran the show, both scoring a brace in the first half with Grenville Jones and Trevor Jones also crossing. Jeremy Lloyd converted the five out of the six tries to put the half-time score at 34-10.

Newport scored first again in the second half through a long range try from Adrian Owen with Ross Palmer converting but a converted try from Dan Tucker put the score on 40-16.

Newport threatened to get back into the game as they staged a mini-revival. Lewis Culverwell scored under the sticks while Earl Palmer ran in an excellent try from 60 metres out. Both were converted by Ross Palmer and suddenly Newport were within two tries on levelling.

However they weren’t able to cross again and Blackwood had the final say in the match after Lloyd added a late penalty goal.

article by Ian Golden
8 July 2006