Newport RFC boss Gareth Davies is determined to keep his side looking forward - despite another major blow to their survival bid.
The Forton Road men face mid-table Kenilworth tomorrow - still looking for their first win of 2010.
They looked odds-on to pull off a morale-boosting victory against Malvern last weekend, but a last gasp penalty for the visitors deep into injury time condemned them to a 14-12 defeat.
Though the bonus point for a narrow margin of defeat did lift Newport two points clear of the relegation zone, these are still worrying times for the National Three Midlands outfit.
“We just need a little bit of luck to go our way and we’ll be okay,” said Davies. There’s no point in looking back and what ifs.
“We need to keep looking forward and working hard for each other.”
Newport have been boosted by the arrival of two players on loan from Stourbridge.
Fly-half Oliver Bache and winger Duncan Chance have joined the club on a temporary basis having struggled to get first team action in National League One.
Both were involved against Malvern and both are also available for selection against Kenilworth.
And Davies did not rule out further additions to bolster Newport’s squad.
“They are both good additions,” he added.
“Any extra strength they can offer the squad is great, and it also makes the others train harder to keep their place.
“We are talking to people at the moment about brining in a couple of other new faces, but I can’t say anything yet.”
Fishes Winger Danny Duggan is ruled out tomorrow with a shoulder strain while Adam Faulkner is on duty with the England Deaf RFU team.
Newport were beaten 19-14 in the reverse fixture in September - but Davies is confident that they can turn it around.
He said: “We’re looking at this as a potential maximum five points for us.
“They are a good side but their results recently have been very similar to ours and they have lost some games you’d have expected them to win.
“We need to play the game in their half and we need to be more clinical.
“We had control of the game against Malvern in territory and possession, but did not use it wisely.
“The lads were quiet and down for a good hour afterwards.
“To lose it right at the end is absolutely gutting.”
Newport led 9-6 at the break thanks to two penalties from James Curgenven and one from brother Matt Curgenven.
A try from debutant Chance looked to have set Newport on course for success, but a drop goal put Malvern in touch before they sealed victory with the final kick of the game.
Davies added: “James Curgenven has missed some kicks and he was feeling bad about that.
“There were some murmurs about the length of time the referee added on at the end - but that’s no excuse in my book.
“We had the chances to put the game to bed and we didn’t.
“At the end of the day, Malvern have had a pressure kick, 30 metres out, and with a bit of a wind, and fair play he’s kicked it over.
“We get on well with Malvern and at the end they were asking how on earth we lost it.
“But that’s the way rugby goes rugby sometimes - we’ve just got to get on with it.”
By Sean Wozencroft
