Newport 23 Llanelli 17 – Impressive Black and Ambers up to second (From Campaign Series)

Newport 23 Llanelli 17 – Impressive Black and Ambers up to second

9:20am Monday 16th November 2009

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Playing a brand of rugby that cheered their faithful supporters, New-port sprinted into second spot in the Premiership with a worthy win over battling Llanelli.

Conditions were anything but conducive to running rugby and strong wind and driving rain at kick-off time kept crowd numbers down.

But those who did turn up were treated to an entertaining match between two committed and well-matched sides.

It was Newport who took an early lead, first Dan Griffiths and then Chris Wannell planting penalties.

The coaching hand of Sven Cronk could be seen when on the half-hour the Black and Ambers decided that it was ball-up-the-jumper time.

From a line-out the call came for a catch and drive, one that took the pack fully 20 metres over the try line for Dai Pattison to emerge with the ball and an accompanying big smile.

Griffiths’ conversion meant a 13-0 lead had been built up, but the visitors began learning how to play wet weather rugby. A couple of Luke Richards penalties were the starters and the former Swansea and Cross Keys fly-half continued to put his foot hard down to the pedal.

A superb break and well-timed pass put Jason Howells in for a try and a dropped goal in the 40th minute sent Llanelli in with a surprising 14-13 lead.

Dressing room lectures paid off and within four minutes of the resumption it was rolling maul time again. Once again the Newport pack crowded around ball carrier Pattison and they kept up their communication until they were over the line for the score.

Richards pulled back three points with his third penalty and the stage was set for a grand finale. Lock Adam Frampton ensured the points went Newport’s way with a try that sealed the result.

Coach Cronk was full of praise for his team in the dressing room afterwards.

“They got well on top of the table from beginning,” he said. “Our three tries were the result of good organisation and effort from all the forwards.”

He was critical of the defensive errors that had resulted in the half-time deficit but pronounced himself well pleased with the overall performance.

Newport: G Wyatt; R Owen (D James, 70), R Payne, C Wannell, A Awcock; D Griffiths, K Barrett (A Quick, 59); D Pattison (I Evans, 57), A Brown, G Robinson, D Rosser (M Workman, 61), A Frampton, S Waldron (R Dale, 57), P Williams, A Coombs (capt) Scorers - Tries: D Pattison (2), A Frampton Con: D Griffiths Pens: D Griffiths, C Wannell

Llanelli: J Lewis; D Thomas (S Shingler, 62), S Martin (C Keenan, 59), N Reynolds, J Howells; L Richards, G Davies (J James, 55); I Jones, R Lawrence, A Hopkins, N White (A Powell, 61), A Shingler, R MCusker (capt), N Cudd, B Morgan (D Eager, 63) Scorers - Try: J Howells Pens: L Richards (3) D goal: L Richards

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