Fixture

Blackwood Griffins fall just short despite emphatic display of rugby.

Blackwood Griffins fall just short against fierce rivals Newport High School Old Boys in a four point finish thriller repeat of last year's dragons athletics league bowl final.  

The Griffins crossed over through Tom Donnovan, Josh Hill, Lawn Wiliams, Jay Owen and Reuben Lynch. 

NHSOB took their victory with tries from Evan Robertson, Ryan Burns, Ian Short and Jack Mineur crossed to secure victory for the hosts. 

NHSOB Raced into an early lead with second row Robertson crossing under the uprights to establish the hosts lead early on. 

NHSOB would extend their lead with Burns beating his opposite man to cross over in the corner. 

The hosts would go three tries to the good with Robertson grabbing his second and stretching NHSOB’s lead even further. 

Tom Donnavon would spark a Griffins comeback with a clever quick tap from a penalty before racing away and under the posts to bring the Griffins back into the match.

Blackwood would close the lead further with a try from Josh Hill who collected a loose ball before breaking away from the defence and holding off the covering defender to close the lead to within a score. 

NHSOB came into the second half with the first score through which Short would thunder his way through the Blackwood defence from close out to re-establish the home side's lead. 

The Griffins would reply with a try of their own through winger Laen Williams who scored his first try for the club with a smart snipe around a ruck to cross over the whitewash. 

The Griffins would then bring the score to 28-22 to the hosts with a great individual try from Jay Owen. 

Owen picked up a loose ball before finding a gap and using some great footwork beating the last defender to touchdown under the uprights. 

NHSOB would diminish any hopes of a Blackwood comeback with a try late on through Jack Mineur from close range. 

A late Reuben Lynch try saw the Flanker steam over to give Blackwood a late consolation try and close the lead to 33-29 and an end to what was a fantastic display of second XV rugby. 

The Griffins now start their league campaign away to Caldicot Geese the second year in a row these two sides have played each other in the Griffins first league game of the season.

Written By Max Drinkwater-James