photo by Ian Lovell

Newport go top of the Eastern Division of the Welsh Conference Premier after an outstanding second half display that saw them run in 56 points against old rivals Torfaen Tigers at Pontypool United.

There was nothing between the teams at half-time as they went into the break level at 14-14. Newport took the lead through a Steve Thomas try with Ross Palmer converting. Torfaen hit back through an unconverted Rhys Davies try before two excellent runs from Mark Wheeler put the Titans into a 14-4 lead.

However, Torfaen made it 10-14 after Chris Williams stormed over and Scott

Bessant converted while Rob Nash completed the first half scoring.

Newport started the second half in convincing fashion as Adrian Owen and Steve Thomas both went over, but a try from youngster Jesse Farthing, converted by Bessant in the 50th minute pulled the score back to 20-24.

From then on it was one way traffic as the avalanche of Newport tries started shocking the home crowd. Wheeler ran over for his second fairly soon after Torfaen’s final try, Chris Wilkins added another, Thomas completed his hat-trick, Owen got his second while tries from Earl Palmer, Phil Carleton, David Pugsley and Ross Palmer completed the rout. Ross completed the scoring by converting his own try, his ninth successful kick of the afternoon.

Torfaen had their chances but couldn’t complete their sets of six or were offside so were constantly losing out, but the day belonged to Newport who join Cardiff at the top of the table at the half-way mark.

article by Ian Golden
24 June 2006