NEWPORT RFC first team manager Gareth Davies has called on his squad to put the hours in at training to end a run of four league defeats in five.
The Fishes slumped to a disappointing 38-21 reverse at Broadstreet last weekend. That result left them 11th in National League Three Midlands.
Davies insists nobody at the club is contemplating the possibly of relegation – but urged his troops to put the effort in turn the fortunes around.
He said: “The lads have to take a look at themselves. We’re not performing and we’re down the bottom of the league.
“They need to put that right. We need commitment from the players at training.
“If we’re getting poor numbers on a Tuesday and Thursday night then that will show on Saturday.
“The next four to six weeks are big for us. We’ll find out where we’re going to end up in the league after those.
“We’re calling on all the lads to get back involved and give us the level of commitment that we expect.”
Newport could be boosted by the return of three big names for tomorrow’s visit of mid-table Hinckley.
Joe Carpenter is back from injury while skipper Neil Weston and Phil Kaleta will both undergo late fitness tests.
Davies said: “If we’d had those three last week we would have won.
“We’re just missing a bit of leadership and guidance at the moment.”
It was thought that second rower Jake Goulson had broken his leg during last week’s Broadstreet clash.
The youngster, who has had an outstanding season, was stretchered off just three minutes into the second half.
But Davies said scans have since shown that he has damaged ankle ligaments.
Nevertheless he will spend significant time on the sidelines.
Newport started the match brightly enough and went ahead through an excellent Liam Holder penalty from out wide.
But straight from the re-start Broadstreet were awarded a penalty and a quick tap caught Newport napping and the home side bagged a converted try for 7-3.
After just five minutes a kick swirled around harmlessly on the home 22 but Newport were slow to react as Broadstreet secured possession and released quick ball that produced a try in the corner from a move that completed a full 75 metres.
The response from Newport was immediate as Ali Little broke through in midfield and fed Michael Woodhouse, who plunged over to reduce the arrears.
Stalemate then ensued but on 24 minutes a huge gap in Newport’s midfield was exploited for a third try which was converted to put Broadstreet in control at 17-8.
Another well struck penalty from Holder brought it back to 17-11 and then on 35 minutes, after Gore cleaned up a kick deep in his own half, Fredericks appeared on hand and a mazy run down the left hand touchline saw him flick out a scoring pass to Holder just as he was engulfed by the cover defence.
Holder converted his own try to give Newport an unlikely one point advantage at the interval.
But Goulson’s nasty injury affected the flow of the match and Newport crumbled.
Broadstreet were back in front almost immediately with their fourth bonus point try, the conversion making it 24-18.
Holder hit the post with a penalty before converting a second opportunity to bring Newport to within three points at 24-21 - but that was to be their last score as Broadstreet took a stranglehold on the game and added two later converted tries to record a convincing 38-21 victory.
Newport’s second team play host to Ludlow in a friendly (2.15pm).
By Sean Wozencroft