Newport's future in doubt

Newport's future in Midland Three National appears increasingly precarious after a damaging home defeat to fellow strugglers South Leicester.

The Fishes went down 42-24 at Forton Road on Saturday as they missed a chance to break out of the relegation zone.

All the damage was done after the break with Newport leading 17-3 shortly before the interval.

"They mullered us in the second half," was the honest assessment of director of rugby Ray Price.

"Their coach did a very good job at half-time. He identified our strength was in the backs and told his forwards to stick the ball up their jumpers and attack us.

"It worked a treat for them."

Two tries from Duncan Chance had given Newport the perfect start, with James Curgenven adding two penalties and a conversion.

But South Leicester grabbed their first try – to add to an earlier penalty – on the stroke of half-time and that gave them the impetus to launch a second half fightback from 17-8 down.

The visitors ran in five tries and successfully kicked three conversions and a drop goal, with a late score from Ben Warrilow to which Curgenven added the extras proving scant consolation for Newport.

Luctonians leap-frogged Luton into fourth after a hard fought 15-5 success over the Bedfordshire club.

Lucs completed the double over their visitors with tries from Charlie Meredith and replacement Dan Smith, with Jamie Simpson adding a conversion and a penalty.

"We were a shade lucky in the second half because we had to defend desperately," admitted Luctonians spokesman Robin East.

Hereford crashed to their second defeat in eight days following last week's reverse against Lucs when they were beaten 30-3 by promotion chasing Hinckley.

By JAMES?GARRISON