champagne rugby pops visitors cork

The die was cast from the first whistle, a perfectly flighted Sutton kick off was expertly taken on the hoof, only to be brought back for an offside decision.

Cold & damp conditions made for some uncharacteristic handling errors by both sides in the first couple of minutes with numb fingers causing knock-ons by both sets of players. Sutton settled first going over the whitewash within the first five minutes after some neat play through the back line, this was followed almost immediately by some smart interplay in the midfield resulting in the second score on the opposite side to the first. An exquisite chip over the top by the Sutton scrum half found its way across the line for the third try.

The first half finished with Sutton leading comfortably, four tries & three conversions to nil.

Newport started the second half on the front foot putting Sutton under pressure from the whistle, driving toward the hosts goal line. A handling slip gave the ball back to Sutton who worked their way forward scoring with their first attack of the half showing the cutting edge that the visitors lacked.

The half was a lot more even with both sides searching for a way through the oppositions defence, with no joy. The away side finally broke through to score a converted try to make it 31-7 with 10 minutes left. Sutton steadied the ship and took control again working through the phases, stern defence from Newport keeping the score one try apiece for the second period, a testimony to the visitors determined endeavour.

With a minute left on the clock Sutton were perched on the Newport five metre line, a series of ruck's resulted in the ball making it's way from right to left and the final score of the day, the final score 36-7 to Sutton.

Sutton progress to the next round of the cup with Newport moving into the plate.