NEWPORT (Salop) v LEEK, MATCH REPORT

It’s very likely Newport, who were relegated from National 3 last season, are amongst the favourites to win this division and the calibre of the 12 new players drafted in this season means they are seriously advantaged to go close.
There were some positives the Leek team could take from the game but nothing should be taken away from Newport who dominated most aspects of it and ran in 4 tries in the 1st half and as Leek’s players tired in the 2nd half, scored another 8 tries.
Leek were in touch at 12-10 on 23 minutes after conceding 2 early tries when from a lineout, a quick ruck and good hands, Sam Hunt sprinted through the gap to score a well worked try under the posts after 19 minutes. Gary McDermott converted. McDermott also scored a penalty on 23 minutes to complete Leek’s scoring.
The Moorlanders were close again as the half closed down but were stopped 5 metres from the home line by persistently good defence.
The Newport 8 dominated the scrum throughout and several tries came from this set piece. The 2nd half also saw the Newport full back find his kicking boots and with Leek also losing Jack Newton Taylor to a red card late on, the match ended disappointingly for the visitors.
Jake Green came close in the 2nd half after reading an interception superbly, but the defence got to him as he reached the 22.
Nevertheless, the players seemed upbeat after the game and will need to work hard in the coming months with the coaches.

Team.

Jake Green; Jack Newton Taylor, Sam Hunt, Rob McDermott, Nick Palmer; Gary McDermott, Ian Harris; Simon McNickel, Bobby Cheadle, Dan Cooper; Tom Sims, Luke Hardern; Matt Slinn, Naz Narawa, Andy McFadden;

Bench

Dan Needham, James Hall, Adam Smith