Worthington Newport and District Cup Final: Hartridge 34-10 Caldicot Athletic

Hartridge RFC became the Worthington Newport and District Cup winners after defeating Caldicot Athletic in the final at the Whiteheads Ground in Rogerstone.

Though Hartridge scored 4-2 on the try-count and dominated the game territorially, the Caldicot side scored the first and last tries and tackled manfully throughout.

As it was, Hartridge had too much weight up front and their charging forward rushes were hard to stop, yet Caldicot managed to do so for much of the 80 minutes, but they suffered a cruel blow just on the interval when a totally accidental collision saw the Athletic full back Kyle Deakin laid out and he departed the field.

Hartridge had a livewire wing in Dexter Lewis, who not only scored scored a brace of tries, but seemed to pop up everywhere and was like a rubber ball at times.

Fly half Gareth Hopkins scored 12 points and Mitch Williams was strong at centre with Rob Jones standing out in the pack for the winners, while Caldicot had a splendid scrum half replacement in young James Taylor when Matt Burton was forced to drop back to full back.

Hartridge almost scored in the first minute before Hopkins kicked them in front after 14 minutes but Caldicot centre Charlie Deacon hacked on, gathered and sped clear for a fine try.

The lead lasted until just on half-time as Hartridge captain Mike Wrench went over for a solo try that Hopkins converted and after 48 minutes he also goaled a Dex Lewis try.

Hopkins then placed a penalty and full back Richard Torjenson intercepted to run almost the length of the pitch with Hopkins converting.

Hartridge were now on to and the pacy Lewis pounced for his second try with Hopkins converting but much of the last ten minutes belonged to brave Caldicot and they deservedly scored a try through hooker Scott Baker.

Skipper Wrench accepted the cup from Joanne Hurley, Accounts Manager of Molson Coors in front of the delighted Hartridge supporters.  


by Howard Evans