NHSOB U14s v Sully 27 April 08 NHSOB U14s finished their 15-a-side season with an inaugural visit at this age group to Sully. Sully started well and exerted pressure in the scrums against the lighter, more mobile Newport pack. After about 5 minutes NHSOB started to gain the upper hand, producing good ball from loose play, resulting in Seivwright crossing the line firstly from a set piece and secondly from a brilliant 60m individual try. NHSOB were at this time firmly in the driving seat with tries following from Martin, Lander and another from Powell, finding himself on the wing for a well worked try. More tries followed for Collin, another for Lander, a third for his hatrick from Seivwright and a second from Collin with Martin kicking 5 conversions. The final try was a superb effort from the Newport backs and by far the best move of the season, resulting in a magnificent score. This was a fine display of open and expansive rugby with all squad members playing to a high standard and with several playing extremely well, but particular mention must go to James who was outstanding. A good end to Newport’s season of two half’s, having won nine from their last twelve games.   NHSOB U14s v Tondu 02 March 08 NHSOB U14s travelled to Tondu with a slightly depleted team, for their first meeting in recent years. Newport started very well against the well-fancied Tondu, showing some ferocious rucking and forward play, setting the precedent for the whole game. NHSOB continued to pressurise the larger Tondu pack, winning lots of ball for the faster Newport backs. However, on one of their few incursions into Newport’s half, Tondu capitalised on a dubious penalty decision and caught Newport sleeping for a converted try against the run of play. This did not upset Newport’s competitive spirit, but only spurred them on into another attacking onslaught. Unfortunately, every time Newport got into an attacking position or neared Tondu’s try-line, a penalty was awarded to the defending team for varying offences. These decisions disappointed Newport’s players; however hard they tried they were always denied at the last minute, including crossing the line for a disallowed try. Tondu played well and managed to score another try from close in, making the final score 12–0 to Tondu. Even though Newport were denied the victory, they were definitely the better and more deserved team on the day and the whole squad played excellently showing their mettle.   NHSOB U14s v Rhiwbina 24 February 08 NHSOB U14s played away to Rhiwbina in a well-awaited match, that unfortunately turned out to be pretty one sided. Newport started well with an initial try within the first few minutes from Martin under the posts; this set the precedent for the day. Further tries followed from Collin, another from Martin, the next two for Lander and one from Lewis. Another try each for Lander and Martin saw them both complete their hatricks respectively and the final score of the day came from Collin, with Martin kicking five conversions. Rhiwbina’s fine reputation never really came to fruition, with them never really looking like scoring and barely entering Newport’s half. At times NHSOB did make hard work for themselves, with some poor handling, but that did not take away some fine rugby on display for most of the match with good games from several key players.   NHSOB U14s v Pill Harriers 17 February 08 NHSOB U14s played Pill Harriers in the first meeting between this age group in many years. Newport started well seeing Seivwright going under the points from a close penalty, which was converted by Martin. Newport dominated up front resulting in lots of ball, which unfortunately didn’t result in early scores through some initial lack lustre handling. Once Newport had found their game tries quickly followed for Kendall from the base of the scrum, Milne from open play, Lander from a cross-field kick, Seivwright through a powerful individual run, and Collin, Barrett and Walker through open back play. David had a very good game at pack leader and continues to show maturity on the pitch beyond his years. Although the score line shows a fairly one sided affair with Newport dominating the game and winning by 42 unanswered points, Pill fought to the very last whistle and never gave up.   NHSOB U14s v Newbridge 03 February 08 NHSOB U14s played Newbridge in what turned out to be a fiercely competitive game with both teams evenly matched. NHSOB fielded a weakened team through illness and injury and played into the strong wind in the first half, but this wind advantage was not utilised by Newbridge. The game was mainly contested up front with both teams getting some clean ball and near to scoring on a couple of occasions. Following some good Newport play, fast ball emerged and Martin made a superb, individual 50m break with close support from Whiting, Milne and with Kendall ultimately scoring under the posts, which was converted by Martin. Newbridge come back strongly and were held up over the line twice, before finally scoring immediately before the break. During the second half both teams fought gallantly, but it was Newport that held on to the lead making the final score Newport 7 Newbridge 5.   NHSOB U14s v Croesyceiliog 27 Jan 08 NHSOB U14s travelled to Croesyceiliog minus several first choice players, but this did not detract from a splendid display of open, running rugby, with NHSOB emerging well deserved victors by 78 points to nil. Newport were in the driving seat for almost all the match with 14 tries being scored, 4 by Barrett, Seivwright 2, Walker 2, Lander, James, Hillman, David, Davies and Powell and four conversions, Barrett 2, Seivwright and Bale. NHSOB rang the changes at half time, with every squad member, regardless of experience, playing at least a full half. Some very good performances were seen from James, David, Bajjada, Barrett, Collin, Hillman and Davies both at scrum half and debutante Seivwright, with several junior members also playing extremely well including Walker on the wing. Even though well-beaten, Croesyceiliog never gave up and were a credit to their coaches club for the way they battled to the end.   NHSOB U14s v Caerphilly 06 Jan 08 NHSOB U14s started 2008 with a fine display of running rugby against Caerphilly, finishing victors by 46-5. NHSOB started quickly, resulting in the first try for Lander and Collin scoring the second. Martin scored the next two Newport tries and Davies scoring one before the break, making it 31-0. NHSOB made many changes both at the break and shortly afterwards, giving the whole squad valuable game time. Three more Newport tries followed, one scored by Barrett, one from Martin for his hatrick and one from Hillman, with Martin kicking three conversions. Caerphilly scored a late consolation try, but that did not detract from an excellent all round Newport performance. Newport’s forwards fought hard at every opportunity gaining large amounts of clean, fast ball. This ball was fed out, resulting in the best backs display to date and by far the best display of complete rugby NHSOB have played this season.