photo by Ian Lovell

In a thrilling Welsh Conference East opener, Cardiff Demons dominated the first half against Newport Titans to eventually see them home by six points.

Adam King opened the scoring after intercepting a pass on his own 30-metre line and running 70 metres to ground. Oliver Hughes converted.

Mark Wheeler went over for Newport less than five minutes later. Ross Palmer converted to level the scores.

Jamie Iles slid through to put Cardiff back in the lead on 20 minutes, while Wes Palmer increased the advantage by scoring a brilliant individual try on 26.

Following an Oliver Hughes dummy, he set up Mark Dando who broke through the defence on the half-hour for a further score. Palmer, back form a season-long injury, scored his second three minutes later. Daz White converted to give Cardiff a seemingly unassailable 26-6 half-time lead.

However Newport fought back in the second half to set up an exciting finish. Following a fine passing move, Palmer scored an early second half try, converting it himself.

The Demons regained their advantage minutes later. Following a Sean Gilbertson interception, Oliver Hughes set up player-chairman Andrew Bradshaw who sprinted down the wing to score.

Newport struck back again through a Leighton Burrows try on 50 minutes while indiscipline allowed Adrian Owen to set up Kirk Johnson five minutes later to bring the score back to 30-22.

Owen got a try himself with 15 minutes remaining to narrow the gap to two points but Daz White scored a try back for Cardiff five minutes later to seal the win.

Article by Ian Golden
20 May 2006