Newport starting to click heading into cup

They warmed up for their North Mids Cup first round trip to Dudley-Kingswinford with a derby day demolition of Shropshire rivals Whitchurch.

The 56-12 victory was by far their best performance of the season, featuring eight tries – three of them run in by Henry Vaka.

It maintained their four-point advantage at the top of Midlands One – and as a bonus, rivals Burton lost to bottom-placed Hereford. That left Bournville and Wolverhampton as the early season challengers – and Newport face both in succession after this weekend's cup clash.

Wilde said: "We have been threatening that performance for a while and it was pleasing to see things eventually starting to click.

"Head coach Bob Adams – together with Neil Weston and Craig Ingram – have worked tirelessly to get us performing as we are and all the players have responded magnificently.

"We have clicked in 15 or 20-minute patches up to now, but last Saturday saw more of what is being demanded and we were excellent for 65 minutes.

Clinical

"If I had to be critical we allowed ourselves to become very loose in the last 10 minutes or so. I would have preferred us to remain clinical to the end, but that would be somewhat churlish after what had been a superb afternoon's work.

"We have a Cup game at Dudley-K but then take on the two early challengers, Wolverhampton away on October 22 followed by Bournville at home on the 29th.

"Good results against these two would see us establish a healthy lead at the top while defeat would see us fall back into the pack. We are not in the mood for the latter!"

Oswestry continue their pursuit of a first win in Cheshire and South Lancs One when they visit fellow strugglers Anselmians tomorrow.

The Eagles prop up the table with five straight defeats, while this weekend's Wirral hosts are just two places above with one win in six outings. It has been a tough start for a young Oswestry side since stepping to a new league this term, but they could take heart from their display in the 23-10 home loss to New Brighton last weekend.

Market Drayton travel to Long Eaton in the RFU Cup buoyed by a convincing 49-7 league victory at Stourport.

They are now the only club with a 100 per cent start in Midlands Five West (North).

Bridgnorth take a break from National League Three after last week's 39-17 loss at Broadstreet with a cup trip to Worcester.