HIll through with a dramatic try

CLEE Hill clinched their place in the second round of the North Midlands Cup with a dramatic try in the final minute, an opportune moment to get their noses in front for the first time in the match.

The game was hard fought throughout with the home forwards just about shaded the contest up front and their backs defending well against the threat of the speedy Newport backs.

Newport opened the scoring with a well-worked miss-move across the backs, their winger outflanking the home cover to cross in the corner and run round under the posts, the conversion being a formality.

Home fly-half Karl Newman responded with a penalty but Newport hitting back in a similar fashion to restore their seven point advantage.

Clee flanker Tim Breakwell finished off a powerful rolling maul with an unconverted corner try but Newport crossed for a second try when their scrum-half stole over from a five-metre scrum.

Swift handling by the Newport backs brought a try, the conversion taking them 14 points clear.

Clee had it all to do and they responded magnificently with unconverted tries from skipper Barrie Lockett and a second from Breakwell, with a penalty from Newman reducing the deficit to a single point.

All seemed lost when Newport added a penalty to pull four points clear. But in a grandstand finish the home forwards made a last supreme effort and prop Martin Edwards finished off a rousing series of drives to snatch the winning try for Clee.