Fishes in first win over Malvern

The Fishes returned from Worcestershire celebrating a 32-12 success, in the process repairing the damage of last week's second half capitulation against Lichfield.

The victory was enough to take Newport into third place in the table, and left coach Ginge Wills delighted.

"We produced a very solid performance," said the experienced WIlls. "Newport have never won at Malvern before, and to do so in the fashion we did was really pleasing."

An early Jamie Simpson penalty quickly took Newport into the lead but a chip kick caught the visitors defence out of position and Malvern capitalised with a try.

A second try soon followed and with Malvern leading 12-3 - and when Neil Weston was yellow carded for being offside - the skids were under Newport.

But the game was turned on its head in the run-up to half-time with Greg Butters crossing the line for two tries in quick succession, Simpson adding one conversion to leave Newport 15-12 ahead at the break.

The visitors began the second half the way they completed the first and were quickly amassing enough points to make an away victory a formality.

Michael Woodhouse grabbed the third try just after the interval, with Simpson adding the extras, and there remained time for Andy Whieldon and No 8 Chris Taylor to also cross the line.

Bridgnorth were left to rue a missed opportunity as they went down 17-7 at last year's Midland Three champions Lichfield.

The visitors weathered the early storm before centre Mike Preece produced a turn of foot to race clear to score an early try which was converted by Charlie Ralph.

Lichfield reduced the deficit just before half-time with a penalty and, after Bridgnorth lost the services of lock forward Liam Holland and prop Richard King to injury, the hosts ran in two second half tries, one of which was converted, to seal the triumph.

"It was disappointing because I was very comfortable with the way the match was going after 50 minutes and felt we would get something out of the game," said coach Bryan Smallman.

"We had to reshuffle and we were in a position where we had a winger playing in the back row for the last half an hour.

"It was frustrating to lose the game but the players gave it everything and I think they are starting to realise what's needed to play at this level."

Whitchurch also had an afternoon to forget in North Two as they went down 44-7 to league leaders Lymm.

All the damage was done in the first half when the Reds found themselves 29-0 adrift having conceded four tries.

The fifth - and another penalty - followed just after the interval before Whitchurch finally got on the scoreboard when Kevin Barber's try was coverted by Chris Hilliker.

But Lymm had the last laugh with another converted score to leave Whitchurch stranded one place off the bottom of the table.

"We didn't perform in the first half and gave ourselves a mountain to climb," said spokesman John Gregory.

"The play wasn't kept tight enough in the first half and Lymm took advantage."

By James Garrison

Popular stories:

• Chaos fears on new car law

• Three extra CCTV cameras

• Find bargains with StarBidz

• Daily news blog

• Rare guitar stolen from shop