photo by Ian Lovell

Torfaen Tigers won an thrilling local Gwent derby on Wednesday evening as both sides entertained the large crowd at Pontypool United RFC.

Newport took the lead in just three minutes when Richard Davies rolled over in the corner.

Torfaen hit back seven minutes later through a fine individual Matt Entwhistle try that Darryl Carter converted.

Tigers could have scored a second on a couple of occasions but twice they knocked on as they were close to the line.

But Titans did manage a second try, again through Richard Tucker after he was set up by Ieuan Morris. Scott Bessant converted.

Torfaen levelled things on the half-hour through a Jacob Nash try.

Newport took the lead again three minutes later as Morris was again the provider but this time for Adam Kidley to go over. Bessant converted again.

But there were just two points in it at half-time after David Davies scored an unconverted try just before the hooter.

They took the lead two minutes into the second half after Entwhistle scored his second which Carter converted.

It was increased on 50 minutes when Dale Nash went over in the corner.

Nolan Nicklin followed him over six minutes later which Entwhistle converted to make the score 30-16.

Newport fought back. They scored on the hour as Tucker went over under the sticks for his second that Ross Palmer converted.

And when Brett Green picked up an Entwhistle bomb and ran 90 metres to score which Palmer converted, they were just two points behind with 15 minutes remaining.

Dan Horseman looked to have sealed things for Tigers when he ran through the Newport defence on 74 minutes. Entwhistle kicked the extras to make the score 36-28.

However Newport weren’t finished yet. Jared Hinnem made a fantastic solo run to score to put them within four points.

But Entwhistle sealed things on the hooter with a try under the sticks, converting it himself.

article by Ian Golden
16 July 2008