EDF Energy Cup: Newport Gwent Dragons 25-14 Newcastle Falcons
at Rodney Parade on Friday 3 October 2008
It was a combination of youthful determination, team spirit and the impact of an old head that secured a well-deserved EDF Energy Cup victory against Newcastle last Friday evening.
After great results in the Magners League against Ulster and Edinburgh in previous weeks, confidence was high at Rodney Parade as Steve Bates’ Newcastle side succumbed to a Dragons team that earned themselves a third successive win.
Paul Turner made twelve changes from the squad that won against Edinburgh the previous week, Marc Stcherbina deputising for Tom Willis as Captain in a starting fifteen that was drenched with an influx of youth. Sitting on the bench with the number 20 shirt on his back however, was Player/Coach Colin Charvis, his impending introduction at some point during the 80 minutes seemingly anticipated as much as the game itself.
It was Stcherbina who scored the first try of the game midway through the first half, profiting from some unsure Falcons defending when it seemed that League convert Danny Williams would do enough to alleviate danger for his side. Whilst Newcastle arguably had the better possession in the first half, Rory Clegg failed to dictate play from the fly half position in the same manner that the injured Jonny Wilkinson perhaps would have. Successful penalties from Clegg and his opposite number Jason Tovey preceded a Falcons penalty try on the stroke of half time that made the score 10-7 going into the half time interval.
It was the Guinness Premiership side that initially came out stronger after the break, early pressure resulting in a great solo try from winger Ollie Phillips in the opening exchanges. Rory Clegg converted the effort to make it 13-14 in Newcastle’s favour, though Bates’ men were not to register another score for the rest of the game.
On 51 minutes, the Rodney Parade crowd loudly applauded the return of former Welsh International Colin Charvis to first team duty. The Player/Coach was in action immediately, his trademark scavenging around the ruck sparking a new sense of urgency within the Dragons’ ranks. It was Wales’ most capped International forward who made the Dragon’s second try of the game, stealing ball at the breakdown before breaking and releasing the grateful Tom Isaacs to go over in the corner. The very impressive Jason Tovey converted Isaacs’ effort before going over the line himself ten minutes later and securing a spirited 25-14 victory for Paul Turner’s troops.
Turner praised his side’s display, commenting on some great individual performances and citing the determination of his players in recovering sufficiently after going behind to ensure victory. “The players showed a lot of grit and determination in the key stages tonight and you’ve got to take your hat off to them for that” said the Dragons Coach. Steve Bates praised his team’s efforts for coming back strongly early in the second half but noted the introduction of Colin Charvis as being instrumental in his side’s defeat. A buoyant Charvis spoke of his desire to continue his playing role following the game. “There's still a bit of life in me yet”, said the back rower. “I enjoyed every minute of it, it was just good to get on the pitch with the guys”.
The Dragons impressed me last Friday. Jason Tovey did exceptionally well as did youngster Tom Isaacs each of whom fully deserved their tries. Marc Stcherbina proved that he was a very able deputy to Tom Willis in the Captaincy role whilst Phil Dollman continued to show his worth as a utility back, constantly putting his body on the line and hitting those holes in the opposition defence. Flanker Dan Lydiate also returned to first team action following last year’s horrendous injury and began to show glimpses of the aptitude that many believe will see him represent his country in the not too distant future. Paul Turner will surely enjoy some selection dilemmas for today’s game against Glasgow.
Match Report by Mark Denham
