NEWPORT (Salop) RUFC Year 2008/2009 Report

Newport’s second season in Midlands 1 was eagerly awaited by all at the club. A new club Captain in Craig Ingram eager to build on our success of the previous season. Although we were reduced in squad size by retirement and players leaving for various reasons, to the tune of nine 1st team squad members, we had recruited a new lock from Walsall, Steve Foulkes and joining his twin brother already a Newport player, Matthew Curgenven an exciting centre who looked very promising in training.

We had also secured the continued services of New Zealand prop Morgan Sikanen and South African back row, Lodewikus Van Staden. Both of whom played an enormous part in the continued success during the new season. Coming back to the club after university was Toby Mann, a superb scrum half who was to play at full back for most of the season.

Two weeks prior to our first league game, the club however were dealt a big setback with the resignation of our club Coach for personal reasons to do with club direction, strategy and authority. A training injury ruled our new lock, Steve Foulkes out for the whole season. This was a start we did not envisage and resulted in the whole squad digging deep, but come the start of the league season and our first game against Peterborough at home, Newport were up for it and ground out an excellent win. Watching the game was Ian Bletcher, RFU Coaching Development Manager, who expressed an interest in taking over the coaching role at Newport. Fortunatly Ian was impressed with what he saw and decided to take on the position after two training sessions, on a permanent basis. This was to prove as the season unfolded, an excellent choice as Ian pushed us forward to play some, if not the best, Midlands 1 rugby seen during the whole of the season.

A league position of 2nd place at Christmas and another EDF cup run after wins at Sutton Coldfield and Mansfield, saw Newport on a playing high. The new coach and rejuvenated team spirit reaping excellent results.

Come the new year, a further EDF win at home against Maidenhead had Newport in the quarter finals at Sheffield Tigers. Our league form however, took a dip as injuries and unavailabilities resulted in some setbacks due to the very small squad Newport were operating with. We dropped to a comfortable 6th place in the league where we were to finish the season. An EDF cup exit at Sheffield with some noticeable player absentees was a disappointing result especially in front of our superb, much travelled Newport supporters who virtually out numbered their Sheffield counterparts.

In all a season to be remembered and one the club should be proud of. All the players are to be congratulated on their commitment and performances for the whole season. Our new 1st team Manager, Gareth Davies especially for his devotion to ensuring all comes together on a Saturday.

Well done and we look forward to the 2009/2010 season in our new look league set up.