A good competitive final played at Newport’s Rodney Parade saw favourites Hartridge score 4-0 on try-count, yet struggle to put away a battling St Julian’s side. Hartridge had won both the league meetings over their opponents, but the likely flow of points never materialised and a good pack performance, plus four fine penalty strikes from fly-half Paul Spencer kept the Saints in the match.
Skipper Craig Drew was well supported by flanker Gavin Crothers and lineout jumper Gareth Stacey in the Hartridge pack, but St Julians were well led by flanker Nathan Kelly, whose pack included Wales Deaf lock Richie Watkins and former Newport stalwart Sean Duggan. Hartridge were better behind the scrum with Paul and Mike Wrench always alert, while scrum-half Ryan Gerrish was a battler for the losers.
Drew gave Hartridge the lead with a try converted by wing Leon Trezise, but Spencer replied with a penalty, before lock Gareth Berry stormed over, though another Spencer goal pegged it to 12-6 at the interval.
Centre Mike Wrench ended good combined Hartridge play with a try that Trezise converted, but Spencer landed two more splendid goals for 19-12, only for Wrench to score another good try that Trezise again converted.
Hartridge 26 St Julian’s HSOB 12
Hartridge: Paul Wrench; Leon Trezise, Mike Wrench, Lee Churcher, Dale Leith; Gareth Hopkins, Richard Hill; Kirk Jenkins, John Kavanagh, Nicky Morrissey, Gareth Berry, Gareth Stacey, Rob Cutter, Craig Drew (capt), Gavin Crothers. Reps – Graham Sims, Karl Elshaw, Mike Palmer, Lee Blanks, Paul Woodcock, Delme Fisher, Shaun Gibson
St Julian’s HSOB: Ashley Alcock; Simon Bartlett, Billy Clark, Richard Chard, Mark White; Paul Spencer, Ryan Gerrish; Sean Duggan, Joe Pollard, Rob Spencer, John Compton, Richie Watkins, Shaun Jeffries, Chris Mulcahy, Nathan Kelly (capt). Reps – Gavin Teakle, Andy Lee, Nathan Rees, Gareth Rees, Gareth Cooper, Zenith Sanderson, Jeremy Evans
Referee: Derek Evans (Langstone)
