St George and the Dragons

 The puddles around Sixways resembled small lakes as the Worcester faithful assembled for the coaches to Newport.  A cheerful Pat Sanderson, in shorts despite the chilly weather, was happy to chat as he and other senior members of the squad prepared to set off for home.  Andy Gomarsall staggered off, weighed down with kit and healthy eating provisions.

The first coach to leave was for the Tetley’s prize-winners, followed by the regular supporters’ bus.  Many more of the Worcester faithful were making their way by car but, compared with the usual travelling support, numbers were greatly diminished.  Those who were going, however, were looking forward to seeing some of our younger or newer players as well as some old favourites returning from injury.

Our first problem was finding the ground.  Rodney Parade is actually very close to the city centre, but we did not spot a single road sign and ended up with a circular tour of Newport.  However, it was second time lucky and we finally arrived in good time. (Thanks to a conservatively early start!)

The ground itself is the long-time home of Newport RFC – the Black-and-Ambers.  It occupies a large site in an inner city area, just across the river from the castle ruins and the new Arts Centre.  Most supporters quickly made their way to Rodney Hall, a large, all-purpose function room with a food hatch and bar.  It reminded us of some of the facilities we had encountered at clubs like Wakefield and Otley.  Faggots and mushy peas, hot beef baguettes and generous portions of chips were to be had for little cost.  The same good value was provided by the bar, the shop and, I am told, by an excellent local hostelry. 

From Rodney Hall, it was a short walk past a grassy area to the ground itself which has terracing along one side of the pitch and a temporary stand behind one goal.  The main stand features an unusual open-work concrete parapet (reminiscent of some colonial cricket grounds in the sub-continent) which separates the seating from the terracing.  From our slightly elevated position, there was a distant view of the Gwent hills.

By kick-off, there was a decent-sized crowd of just over 4,000 for a match which had been widely billed in the Press as “a dead rubber”.  The Dragons, however, did have a mathematical chance of qualifying for the semis and were determined to give it a go.

As a Cardiff girl, I visited Rodney Parade with some trepidation, having grown up with stories of fierce, one-eyed Newport supporters.  However, my fears were unjustified.  “Welcome to Rodney Parade,” said the gentleman sitting next to me and , for the rest of the match, we enjoyed civilised exchanges with those around us.  “We thought your horns would frighten our lads,” said one old gentleman when we were leaving, “but our boys learned to cope.”  Two ladies in the loos admired our blue and gold hats and tinsel. (Thank you, Margaret.)  When told we were getting ready to celebrate New Year in Newcastle, they were very envious, recalling their own fixture with Falcons and the friendliness of the Northern fans.  “You’ll have a fantastic time, you lucky things,” was their parting comment.

The Dragons’ fans are also to be commended for their sporting applause and for observing silence for all kicks.

From the outset, the Worcester supporters made themselves heard, while the home fans were strangely subdued.  The man on my left explained that regionalism had undermined the atmosphere at the ground: the traditional chants of “Newport” had been forbidden and had not yet been successfully replaced by anything else.  Worcester supporters, however, may congratulate themselves on doing their bit to help unification.(Even if it wasn’t what we wanted to hear!)  By the end of the match, our chanting had stung the home supporters into a response and loud chants of “Dragons beat Warriors” could be heard in one corner of the ground.

 The birth of the Dragons has been the most painful of all the Welsh regions, epitomising the tribal divisions which exist in South Wales. Newport resented not being granted stand-alone status, while the likes of Ebbw Vale and Pontypool felt that they were being swept aside by their bigger rival. Despite an unhappy start, however, there are signs that union is bringing benefits to all concerned.

The Dragons’ team, as their fans told us, was not their strongest: injuries and resting International players had depleted it.  It was still a good XV, with further strength on the bench.  The Worcester XV, however, had a very unfamiliar look: young players and new players, strengthened by some senior members returning from injury provided a team which had never played a match together.

The first 20 minutes was a nightmare for Worcester and we feared a potential cricket score against us.  For all that time, we barely got out of our own half. The Dragons scrum was working well, pushing us back.  Their backs were looking sharp and dangerous.  Warriors were penalised for not binding and the continued pressure from Dragons scrums close to the Worcester line finally resulted in Adam Black touching down.  Craig Warlow converted.  7 – 0 after 10 minutes.

Tim Collier gave away a penalty for offside and Worcester had to retreat a further 10 metres for backchat.  10 – 0

Uche had a nice run but was penalised for holding on.  Wuss conceded another offside.  From a lineout, Dragons scored another pushover try, this time by Andrew Hall.  It was converted by Craig Warlow.  17 – 0 before 20 minutes were up!

After 23 minutes, Worcester got into the Dragons 22 for the first time in the match. Then, after 25 minutes, James Brown slotted over a penalty.   17 – 3.

In the 10 minutes before half-time, things started to improve.  There was  a Dragons scrum on the Worcester 10 metre line.  Gareth Cooper started to run, he was tackled and the ball went loose.  Mike MacDonald fed out to Havili who scampered 70 metres to the line.  The Worcester fans went wild and Havili celebrated with his famous “Raven” pose.  James converted.  17-10.

Unfortunately, 5 minutes later, Matt Powell conceded a penalty for offside which Warlow slotted over.  20 – 10.  Even more unfortunately, Gareth Wyatt fell awkwardly in a tackle and dislocated his elbow.  He will be out for 6 weeks which is a big blow for the Dragons as he is their major points scorer. 

The second half saw many substitutions – including the referee who had to leave the field with a strained hamstring.  The Newport fans were even less enamoured of his replacement than with the original official.  Apparently, ref number 2 was from Cardiff!

Despite their lack of points, the Warriors were starting to look much more confident.  Inexperience and unfamiliarity had cost them dear in the opening quarter, but gradually play was improving.  The Dragons backs continued to look dangerous every time they got the ball, but Worcester was countering with some good defence.  Unfortunately, we gave away another penalty in front of the posts for handling in the ruck.  23 – 10.

By this time, Callum Black, Richard Blaze and the eagerly awaited Tom Harding were on the pitch.  The Warriors kept spreading the ball wide where Havili, now sporting a bandaged head, always looked dangerous and came close to repeating his earlier run.  Our discipline was once more an issue; another infringement in the ruck. 26 – 10.  Thinus replaced Jamie Lennard and Simon Whatling also took the field. 

Thinus produced some blistering runs but these, like other moves, failed to turn into points due to lack of support and, on one occasion, a spectacular footballing mis-dribble!

The final minutes summed up Worcester’s luck.  James Brown’s kick to the corner went dead.  At the other end of the field, we won a vital line out, but then ran the ball dangerously and knocked on.  The ensuing scrum was brought down and Dragons were awarded a final penalty try. 33 – 10.

Despite the score line, however, there were lots of positives to be taken from a match against a committed Dragons side with a solid defence, a powerful pack and a good back line.  Although this might have been their second choice team, it demonstrates the strength in depth of regional squads.

Observations (By my technical adviser!)

1. We had a number of inexperienced forwards and unfamiliar backs in an untried combination which was further rotated in the second half.

2. Lots of positives showed that we have significant potential still to be fulfilled.

3. After the shock of the first 20 minutes, Warriors played good rugby with plenty of constructive moves in the backs which were sometimes let down by handling errors or poor discipline.

4. Players often got isolated, leading to turnover ball.

5. Havili is a class act; his try was sensational.

6.  Gavin Hickie put in a workmanlike performance. His mobility and lineout throws were encouraging.

7. It was a good workout for TC, but his lack of discipline could have easily have led to a card.

8. Uche made some good strong runs, but he needs to offload quicker when players are outside him.

9. Mark Tucker and Ras had solid games.

10. Jamie Lennard did well, especially under a high ball. This boy is one to watch.

11. The ref (no.1) was picky and whistle-happy, but he was consistent.

12. The supporters were magnificent and it was good to see acknowledgement of their presence, especially by  “Biggles” Delport and by the ghost of a smile from the Big Chief.

We enjoyed our day out and would like to remind any Dragons that are about that St George got them in the end!

R.T.