They matched the powerful Shropshire side for physicality and intensity but just made too many mistakes. The match started well for Burton, as straight from the kick off a Newport forward knocked the ball on. It was seized upon by the Burton pack and passed to fly half Florenzio Lloreno, making his first team debut, who kicked a drop goal, so Burton took the lead after about 20 seconds

A few minutes later Burton where on the score sheet again. Newport were penalised for being offside and Will Simpson kicked the goal from the 22 metre line.

The home team recovered quickly from these setbacks and were soon on the attack themselves. They were awarded a penalty for an offence at the break down and won the ball from the ensuing line out. Burton defended well but could not prevent a try being scored under the posts. Winger Nick Oxley charged down the conversion attempt, so Burton still held on to a slender lead.

Disaster then struck as a wild pass was thrown. It missed the intended receiver and rolled along the floor to be snapped up by the Newport winger who ran from the half way line to score. The conversion was again missed but the home team were now in the lead.
Burton were playing some good rugby at this point and again forced the home team to concede a penalty in front of their own posts. Simpson kicked the goal to take them within a point of the Newport score.

Burton then came under pressure from the home team but defended well for several minutes. However, a clearance kick did not find touch but went straight to the Newport full back who ran from inside his own half through several defenders and scored. The kicker again failed to add the extra points.

It was then the visitors’ turn to score again as the backs and forwards combined to take the ball into the opposition 22 where it was recycled and passed swiftly along the back line for Oxley to score. Simpson added the extra points to take Burton back into the lead. There was no further scoring in the first half so the half time score was 15-16.

From the restart Newport were awarded a penalty they kicked the ball to the corner and were awarded another penalty at the line out. They opted for a scrum and their powerful pack drove over the line and touched down for a try. The fly half added the extra points.

The lead then changed hands again as Burton put pressure on the Newport defence with some good attacking play. They were awarded a penalty and from the lineout the forwards drove over the line with hooker James Davies touching down. The conversion was missed.
Burton then went further ahead. After a god drive by the Burton pack number eight Lelo Gemashe crashed over the line to score. Simpson again added the extra points.

Disaster then struck again for Burton as another poor pass rolled along the floor to the Newport winger who picked up and raced in to score.
The two sides then exchanged penalty goals resulting Newport leading 32-31 but the final ignominy was when from a scrum inside their own half the Newport backs ran through some poor tackling to score the final try. The try was converted thus ensuring that Burton did not even get losing bonus point out of the game.

This was an entertaining but frustrating match. Burton have shown that they can compete at this level but they must learn to cut out the mistakes and stop gifting tries to the opposition. The final score was Newport 39 Burton 31.