Warlow toasts hard work of Black & Ambers
NEATH .............................. 14 NEWPORT ........................ 32
NEWPORT boss Craig Warlow says beating Neath to the Principality Premiership Tier Two play-off title is just reward for the hard work put in by the more experienced members of his squad.
Geraint O’Driscoll scored a try and kicked over another 12 points to inspire the Black and Ambers to a third league victory of the season at The Gnoll, with Lennon Greggains and Daniel Partridge also contributing with touchdowns, before a late penalty try.
Neath responded with three Ed Howley penalties and a Geraint Llewellyn try, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Newport earning their first piece of silverware since 2004 and end a somewhat turbulent season on a high.
Outside-half O’Driscoll understandably earned himself plenty of plaudits after his crucial contribution, and Warlow believes the 29-year-old is one of several players to have been rewarded for their recent hard work.
He said after the game: “It is a big lift. It’s good for these boys and guys like Geraint O’Driscoll, Elliot Frewen and Adam Brown because they’ve been at the club a fair while.
“We’ve had to coach them through some poor times but hopefully beating Neath is a small payback.
“You get peaks in your career, and this might not be the absolute peak, but it’s definitely one of those peaks.
“It’s been a really enjoyable process trying to qualify for the semis and final, and now winning the final.”
Neath head coach Gareth Llewellyn is also looking ahead to next season, and believes his side need to show further progress after missing out on the Tier Two crown.
He said: “I know what direction we want to go in and where to take the club, and the style of play I want us to play, but we’ve got to get better.
“We’re not the finished article and we are a young side, but we’ve still got a lot of improving to do.” Neath: Try: G Llewellyn, Pens: E Howley (3). Newport: Tries: L Greggains, D Partridge, G O’Driscoll, penalty, Cons: O’Driscoll (3); Pens: O’Driscoll (2).