Match Report - Newport Salop v Sandbach - Midlands Premier League

In a pulsating physical encounter, a late penalty with just two minutes to go, edged the game in the home teams’ favour.

There were many who thought a draw would have been a more fitting result, with both sides regretting missed opportunities, but with nothing given by either side, it was defence that dominated the day. In the end, dogged resistance and great spirit was not enough, but the boys in green and red can certainly be proud of their efforts against the promotion favourites.

Sandbach made the stronger start playing down the slope on a cool afternoon at the North Shropshire County Ground. Newport were conceding penalties and Sandbach took advantage with a kick to the corner, with the subsequent driving lineout paving the way for Alex Bishop to crash over after fifteen minutes. Sandbach looked like scoring again, only for a deliberate knock on by Port’s fullback George Castledine, which saw him receive a yellow card, referee Ryan Owens deciding against a penalty try. Sandbach did make something from their numerical advantage, with  a penalty from Kieran Stubbs, this following a fine break from centre Jack Leech, which unfortunately resulted in him being caught just short of the line.

Once back to fifteen Newport began to find their feet, as Sandbach started to concede penalties themselves and the Salopians exposed a lack of numbers on the short side, to work flanker Mahoney over to reduce the deficit. Newport continued to have a period of dominance, but the Bach defence held strong, so at the half time whistle they still held a slender lead at 5 v 8.

There was a general feeling that the start of the second half was going to be key, but as it was both sides had their phases of ascendancy and Sandbach would have been frustrated not to make more of a couple of lineouts on the opposition 5 metre line, both of which went astray. So, it was getting all very tense when Newport drew level with a Jake Leonard penalty with fifteen to go. The replacement of the tiring Mark Irving by Sandbach proved critical, as Newport then began to get a degree of scrum dominance, to dictate territory. Despite the big prop returning in the final minutes, he was unable to prevent the crucial penalty being awarded for offside in the backs and Leonard made no mistake with the simple opportunity.

There was little time to snatch the game back and Newport were able to close the game out, much to the delight of a relieved home crowd. Sandbach though did come away with a losing bonus point and the knowledge that even against the top sides in the league, they are more than capable of holding their own. Next week Sandbach return to Bradwall Road for the visit of Nuneaton and will be looking to put the disappointment behind them, with the visitors no doubt looking to avenge the defeat they suffered earlier in the season when the Bach visited the Liberty Way Stadium.