photo by Ian Lovell

Despite a spirited comeback from an understrength Torfaen Tigers, Newport Titans stormed to a 36-20 victory. However, Cardiff and Blackwood’s draw means that they narrowly miss out on the play-offs for the third year in succession.

Martin Cawley gave Newport the lead with an early try that Ross Palmer converted but Torfaen soon levelled when Nolan Nicklin crossed and Matt Entwhistle converted.

But tries from Palmer, Mark Wheeler and Phil Carleton gave the home side a strong 20-6 half time lead and they soon increased that early in the second half with further scores from Carleton and Cawley.

Torfaen then staged a mini-revival scoring three tries in quick succession. Dan Preece was first to score, Steffan Jones followed him over the line and Jamie Jeune added another to put the Tigers to within eight points.

But Phil Carleton added a final try to secure his hat-trick which Palmer converted before adding a penalty to round off the win.

article by Ian Golden
29 July 2006