Twickers advice to Fishes

Newport have received words of wisdom as they prepare for the biggest match in their history - from the only captain to lead a Shropshire team to Twickenham.The Fishes are just two victories away from gracing the home of English rugby after reaching the last eight of the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup.

The latest obstacle comes this Saturday at Forton Road when they entertain Middlesborough in the quarter-final.

Cleobury Mortimer are the only Shropshire club to reach rugby HQ when they famously got to the final of the 2006 Powergen Junior Vase, losing to Dorking.

And their skipper of the time Paul Harding has urged Newport not to get ahead of the moment as they close in on every rugby player's dreams.

"What I did as an individual and tried to install into the team as captain was not to get too far ahead," said Harding.

"We went one step at a time and I think it's important that Newport do the same.

"They have done very well to get this far so if they just play their own game, they have got every chance.

"All the teams left in will be nervous because it's a one-in-a-lifetime experience they are playing for.

"But we enjoyed the road to Twickenham just as much as the day itself so I hope they are soaking it all in."

One of Cleobury's casualties on that famous run was Sunderland, and Harding is hopeful Newport can claim another north-east city scalp this weekend.

"People kept saying that the north divisions were stronger than the Midlands and that we would get beat by Sunderland but it didn't happen like that," he added.

"Hopefully Newport can do the same and I wish them luck."