Ironmen fall to a third defeat in four.

The Ironmen fell to a third defeat in four, conceding twenty-seven second half points to go down 27-16 away at Newport.

For a second week on the bounce, the Ironmen started the stronger, steadily building a 13-0 lead at the break. Points courtesy of a try by hooker Rhys Williams, the Ironmen pack capitalising on the man advantage afforded by a yellow card for Newport’s No.5, Williams crashing over from a driving lineout. Eight additional points came from the boot of outside half Gareth Thompson, converting Williams’ try and adding two penalties.

As in recent weeks, the Ironmen started the second half slowly, and less than five minutes in, found themselves camped on their own line. A maul offence was deemed sufficient to award Newport their first points via a penalty try and generate a yellow card for Ironmen openside, Jack Perkins. Newport quickly capitalised on the man advantage, scoring again to take the lead. A lead that continued to grow to 20-13 courtesy of Ironmen infringements being punished by the Newport ten.

A third penalty midway through the second half by Ironmen outside half Thompson brought the scores back to 20-16, the Ironmen emptying the bench as they looked for a winning score. As the clock struck eighty, Newport sealed the win, scoring out wide, the successful conversion bringing the game to an end.

The Ironmen will take a number of positives from today’s performance, young Olly Rees and Aberdare’s Callum Jay Lewis going well in the front row – well done boys! The Ironmen lineout also functioned well, Williams regularly finding his jumpers. Yes it’s another loss and nobody likes losing, but there were brighter signs today.

The focus now switches to the visit of the #Rags Cardiff RFC on Saturday 16th. The Ironmen will wait nervously on in-game injuries to Thompson, Pascoe and Rees. They will also hope to welcome others back from injury, additions that will to help offer the depth needed as we go late into games. It was also great to see Masa Tutaia take the field in the second half for his Ironmen debut – welcome Masa!

Well done @NewportRFC and great to see so many out to support you at your new home 👍🏻

#TeamIronmen🖤💛💚