By Paul
January 12 2003

A Man of the match performance from Bridgend Full-Back Gareth Cull was just enough for them to hang on for victory, in a match dominated by Newport's pack. Shane Howarth had a nightmare with the boot, eventually being substituted. A second half fight back was just not enough in the end.

There was little evident Christmas cheer between the two sides, with the 13-5 opening Celtic League defeat still at the back of Newport's mind's. That defeat was even harder to swallow, with the Black & Ambers dominating territorially and possession wise that night. It really was a case of deja vu tonight, with the two statistics being being so one-sided yet again in the home sides favour.

With the blonde locks of Percy Montgomery on show and Tony Brown's word's during the week, the You felt that Newport would rise to the occasion. And so they did, only a slip by Andy Marinos prevented Port from finishing off an early move deep inside the Bridgend half.

A bit of Kiwi like crossing put Wales under 21 winger Hal Luscombe over in the corner, only to be denied by a last ditch tackle by young Bridgend winger Richard Mustoe. Minutes later Gareth Cull stepped up to kick the first points of the match, following a high (ish) tackle by Simon Raiwalui.

A period of Black and Amber domination failed to result in anything, as the Raven's defence showed little sign of wilting, as Howarth missed his first penalty of the match. But the the side in blue took full advantage, Gareth Cull collected the ball on halfway and chipped delicately behind the approaching Newport defence, Tongan Aisea Havili gathered the ball to touchdown under the post's, yet for some obscure reason decided to do a kung-fu like pose (making a bit of a pratt of himself in the process). Howarth finally got his sides total and his own up and running, with a penalty shortly before the interval.

But the former Wales full-back continued his dodgy kicking spell, by pulling an easy kick well wide shortly after the start of the half. Such was Howarth's display he was shortly replaced by Jason Strange. As Strange kicked three penalties to take his side within a point, and a relieving win, the look of despair on Howarth's face was evident, that was when he wasn't holding it in his hands.

Bridgend's defence kept closed, even with impressive Kiwi flanker Corry Harris in the sin-bin for killing the ball, a penalty in injury time from Newport would have won them the game, but Strange's kick agonisingly clipped the post.

RDR man of the match

Gareth Cull put in a top display with the boot both for points and in defence. He showed great opportunism when setting up the only try of the match, with a perfectly weighted kick to Aisea Havili. The full-back who spent last season on loan at Ebbw Vale having fallen out with former Bridge coach Eddie John, was returning from injury, naturally looking sharp and refreshed compared to everyone else on the pitch. He showed great opportunism when setting up the only try of the match

Newport Pens: S Howarth, J Strange (3)

Bridgend Tries: A Havili. Cons: G Cull. Pens: Cull (2)

Newport: Percy Montgomery; Matt Mostyn, Jason Jones-Hughes, Andy Marinos, Hal Luscombe; Shane Howarth, Dale Burn; Rod Snow, James Richards, Chris Anthony, Simon Raiwalui (capt), Ian Gough, Gareth Gravell, Jason Forster, Steve Ojomoh.
Reps: Ceri Jones, Pattison, Mike Voyle, Andy Powell, Llyr Lane, Jon Pritchard, Jason Strange.

Bridgend: Gareth Cull; Aisea Havili, David Bishop, Gareth Thomas, Richard Mustoe; Simon Mannix, Huw Harries; Phil Booth, Gareth Williams, John Thiel, Andy Moore, Deiniol Jones, Shawn van Rensburg, Cory Harris, Richard Bryan.
Reps: Ben Phillips, Christian Loader, G Thomas, Maama Molitika, Craig Warlow, Sililo Martens, Nathan Budgett.

Ref: Gareth Simmonds (Cardiff)

Entertainment Value 7/10

It was exciting stuff, but lacked the quality to make it a cracker.