Phillips’ try takes Newport through

 

 

 
Newport centre Bleddyn Phillips was the toast of his team-mates as they moved into the semi-finals of the Junior Cup with this hard-fought win over Haverfordwest 2nds at Merlins Bridge.
 
The Blues were 11-7 ahead with 14 minutes left when Newport pressure paid off and centre Phillips ploughed through for what turned out to be the winning try as outside half Tomos Rees added the extra points.
 

 
A close contest was always on the cards as Haverfordwest had won in Newport, who were successful in the reverse fixture in Haverfordwest and that is just the way it turned out.
 
The Blues took the lead after good work up front by Dai and Danny Miners, Rowan Thorne, Carl Rees and Gethin Thomas earned them a penalty near half way which full back Gareth John did well to send between the uprights.
 
Dan Miners scored a good try for the Blues, assisted by Nick McPhee, Dave McCallum and Ryan Horgan, but the conversion attempt was off target.
 
Newport responded with a try from flanker Osian Rees after his team had been awarded a penalty at a lineout and his quickly-taken tap penalty caught the homesters unaware, with No 10 Tomas Rees adding the conversion.
 
Haverfordwest had the last word of the half when Gareth John slotted his second successful penalty and their four-point advantage at the oranges was just about deserved.
 

 
Both teams had half chances in the second half but the all-important score fell to Newport after a period of pressure and it came in the bottom left corner from flanker Osian Rees, following some good handling by Will Kerr, Jack Williams, Mike Rogers and Robin Donnelly, with Tomos Rees doing well to add the extra points.
 
The Blues battled hard to regain the initiative but Newport covered well and were still ahead at the final whistle – and eagerly wait now to see whom they will meet in the semi-final!
 
Haverfordwest 2nds: Gareth John: Rhys Cooper; Phil Jones; Dan Davies; Chris Richards: Matthew Davies; Steve Morse: Dan Miners; Dai Miners; Rowan Thorne: Dave McCallum; Ryan Horgan: Nick McPhee; Carl Rees; Gethin Thomas. Replacements: Gareth Williams; George Harding; Dave Reynolds; Karl Rees; Terry Francis; Paul Clayton; Craig Nightingale; Daniel Grant.
 
Newport:  Mike Griffiths: Archie Watson; Rhys Stillwell; Bleddyn Phillips; Mike Richards: Tomos Rees; Matthew Evans: Tim Booth; Ross Griffiths; Neil Perkins: Mike Rogers; Robin Donnelly: Osian Rees; Will Kerr; Jack Williams. Replacements: Huw Williams; Chris Evans; Anthony Cole.