photo by Mark Harris

Sunny weather, smell of the barby, upsurge in cider takings, and the sound of Motorhead on the tannoy - it can only mean one thing - the start of the rugby league season!

Even though there was other attractions at Wembley, an enthusiastic crowd turned up for the seasons opener.  The Bulldogs came up against a very tough Newport side, who in the end deserved the two points.

Lewis Hayman opened the scoring for the Titans,  but the dogs came back with tries by David James, and Paul Emmanueli, who converted both.

Newport fired back with tries by Greg Callow, and Vinny Lott, both set up by the clever Tyrone Mahoney.

Byron Williams then burrowed over for the Bulldogs on the half time whistle to give Blackwood a lead of 18-14.

The 2nd half began with the Titans giving a string of penalties resulting in a try by Gethyn Price to extend the Bulldogs lead.

Newport then went up a gear, lead by the evergreen Mark Wheeler, who barged over followed by Scott Bessant, both

converted by Ross Palmer to give the Titans back the lead.  Blackwood, though looking tired stormed back and after interpassing between backs and forwards Dan Tucker made it 30-26. 

It only delayed the inevitable as fitness told with the Titans scoring 5 unanswered tries.  With Mahoney now running the show he scored twice, along with one by Ben Morris.  Clever play by Lott set up 2 long range tries by winger Kirk Johnson. .  Even though Nicky Tucker had the last word, it ended up with a 51-36 victory for Newport.

A lot of plus points for Blackwood, including a 100% kicking performance by Emmanueli, but too much off loading in their own half and not enough hard yards cost them.

Newport as ever looked very tough and very organised.

Director of rugby - Roger Moore complimented both sides on an excellent standard of play and then went on to say "A lack of preparation hurt us, with a lot of players in their first game against an experienced Newport side, who deserved to win, but with players coming back and more training time, I was very happy with our first performance"

Australian Referee - Darren Scott was impressed with the standard, "from an outside perspective, it was good to see such a high physical and skill level.  Once Blackwood get their fitness up they will be hard to beat.  Its good to see so many new players coming into the sport"

article by Tony Evans
19 May 2007