Regional 1 Midlands

Newport (Salop) 31 Newent 13

NEWENT RFC’s frustrations on the road continued in Shropshire in their final league game of 2025, as their well-drilled opponents gained ample revenge for their last-play Rec defeat in September.

All The Fishes’ five tries stemmed from close range penalty lineouts which their pack exploited with ruthless efficiency.

The Green Army struggled to penetrate the hosts’ equally efficient defence and it was very late in the game before they created a try from inside their own half.

Newport’s first try arrived after just six minutes, hooker Mike Adams touching down as the pack mauled over from a lineout 12m out, with scrum-half Jack Ingram adding the conversion.

Newent responded well after Port were penalised for a high tackle, but despite multiple phases in the 22 couldn’t breach the defence, with Tom Webb opting for three points from a penalty in front of the posts.

But the Fishes were soon back for another penalty line-out in Newent’s 22 and the driving maul saw openside Uluaki Kale touch down wide on the right, Ingram converting for 14-3.

And less than five minutes later they were back for more, second row Matt Hubbard claiming the touchdown from a 5m line-out, with Ingram again on target (21-3).

Much of the game’s second quarter was played in Newport’s half as the penalty tide – three for high tackles – turned in the Green Army’s favour.

Newent recycled possession well but found it difficult to break the gain line, outside centre Joe Warner providing the most potent threat.

But just before half-time, the visitors were rewarded with a try from a penalty line-out 5m out, Dan Fletcher securing the long throw and the maul driving infield before Ethan Allen broke down the blindside to touch down.

Webb’s conversion was narrowly wide, making it 21-8 at the break.

Hopes that the hooker’s try had thrown the visitors a lifeline were soon quashed as they got on the wrong side of the referee though, with a second half penalty count of 11-3 against.

Newent defended with a lot of spirit and repelled two line-outs deep in their 22 before Port added to the score at the third time of asking, Kale claiming his second try at the back of another driving maul.

A penalty against Newent’s scrum was then kicked to the corner and replacement hooker Will Roddy took the return pass from his short throw-in before crashing over wide on the left, leaving the hosts home and hosed despite a missed conversion (31-8).

To their credit, Newent never stopped competing and with the clock going into the red produced the move of the match to claim a consolation try.

From a turnover in his own half, Webb delivered an inch-perfect cross-kick into the hands of left wing Adrian Connolly in full flight, who found George Alvis in support before several phases later the replacement flanker drove over from close range, for a 31-13 final score.

Ross RFC’s year also ended with a 42-24 loss away to Smiths 2nds.