Fixture

A 'barebones' T's team traipsed to Newport for their first meeting with recently relegated Bettws after a morning of torrential rain which threatened the fixture right up until the rain stopped at 1pm. Indeed the soaking pitch was more like a swamp in places. However, game on it was.

With several players out of position, late or AWOL completely, hopes were not high before kick off but a strong start from the away 8 belied the visiting fears. Dominating each scrum, the T's gained a significant foothold in the Bettws half. A quickly tapped penalty from scrum half Gareth Trapnell allowed him to squeeze over despite the attentions of a couple of defenders. 

T's continued to dominate the rest of the half but poor handling and/or decision making saw them draw a blank on the scoreboard. 

HT: 0-5

Making a vital front row substitution at half time saw Bettws gain parity in the scrums and come into the game. T's ran out of ideas as they struggled to get out of their own half. However, they rarely threatened the T's line. 

It was a controversial refereeing decision which turned the game. A clearing kick was fielded by the Bettws fullback on the slide causing the Bettws touch judge to raise his flag. The T's chasers stopped not realising the referee (perhaps correctly) overruled the touch judge allowing said full back to kick through and score the equalising try. The home side were mighty relieved to earn their first league points for 3 seasons. 

FT: 5-5