CHARVIS TO TAKE OVER FORWARDS

Newport Gwent Dragons have announced this afternoon that Welsh back row Colin Charvis will take over from Leigh Jones as Forwards Coach until the end of the season.

This news follows the announcement last week that Paul Turner has agreed a two-year contract extension to see him remain at Rodney Parade until May 2012.

"I think that we have achieved above expectation this season and I’m keen to continue that as part of the coaching team," said Charvis.

"Leigh has achieved a lot over the last few years and having shadowed him closely, this is a great opportunity for me to take on the role as forwards coach and continue what the coaching team has implemented so far.

"We are very lucky to have a couple of forwards with international experience, so hopefully things should carry on running pretty smoothly."

Wales’ most capped forward Charvis, has been with the region since 2006 when he joined as a player and has made the successful transition into coaching the region.

"Colin has done an excellent job as Defence Coach this season," said Dragons Rugby Manager Robert Beale. "This role is a very important part of Colin’s development and fits in with this organisation’s aim to develop and promote from within.

"Taking over the Forwards Coach role until the end of the season will give Colin a great opportunity to establish himself as a coach of the future. I am sure that the respect he has earned in the game will serve him well in embarking on his coaching career.

"This appointment will see Colin enlarge on his current role as Defence Coach. We have decided not to add to the coaching team at this time, pending a review at the end of the season."

COUNTY OUTCLASS DORCHESTER

A bumper holiday crowd of 2,205 braved the frigid cold of Spytty Park and savoured another fine win from the Blue Square South leaders this afternoon.

The 3-0 score line was a fair reflection of Newport County's superiority. However, for the first forty five minutes Dorchester proved obdurate and well organised, easily sniffing out County's attacking threat. Foley and Reid struggled to create opportunities with Dorchester player manager and former County favourite Ashley Vickers prominent in defence.

In the second half County upped the tempo, after 54 minutes Sam Foley broke clear of the defence and his ball to Reid finished in the back of the net. Shortly afterwards a brilliant move initiated by first Morgan and then Henry set marksman Reid clear again to score, he chipped the Dorchester keeper Coward in fine style. County regained their fluency and created further chances with Morgan prominent.

They were also able to demonstrate their strength in depth able to bring on the likes of Rose, Coutts and Holgate from the replacement's bench later in the second half. The outstanding central defender Gary Warren added a third after 84 minutes with an excellent guided header from a Collins free kick.

To cap a fine day for the Exiles they are now 13 points clear of the chasing pack with a game in hand.

DRAGONS HAMMERED IN GAME OF TWO HALVES

Newport Gwent Dragons flattered to deceive against Cardiff Blues this evening. They turned in a fighting first half display and gained an impressive 13-3 lead including an excellent try from Aled Brew. But in the second half they fell apart conceding five tries as their defence crumbled and Cardiff picked up their intensity.

With fifteen minutes played of the second half they were already ten points adrift of Cardiff. Cardiff's tries came from Bradley Davies, Mustoe, Rees, Shanklin and Tom James.

The crowd was 15,210 although there looked much less than that in the ground.

Final score - Cardiff 42 Newport Gwent Dragons 13.

DEANO DOES IT AGAIN - 3 MORE ON BOARD

Newport County manager Dean Holdsworth has pulled off another transfer coup by signing two new players and keeping in form forward Kerry Morgan at the club until the end of the season.

County have moved to signed Wales under 21 international Aaron Morris from Cardiff on a one month loan deal and experienced midefeilder Ashley Nicholls from Bishops Stortford.

Twenty one year old Morris has played four times for Wales under youth coach Brian Flynn and is considered hot property by his parent club, Cardiff City.

Twenty eight year old Nicholls has played at a higher level including stints at Darlington and Rushden and Diamonds.

After being hit by injuries to Ashan Holgate, Danny Rose, Nathan Davies, Dave Gilroy and Takumi Ake, the new faces is just what the squad needs according to the Exiles boss.

He told the south Wales Argus:

"It's perfect timing for us really, we're thrilled to welcome Aaron and Ashley on board and they cn both contribute for us at a time when we're a little short".


Left to right: Ashley Nicholls, Aaron Morris, Kerry Morgan

COUNTY GO 12 CLEAR

County were without 5 key players – midfield playmaker Danny Rose still sidelined with an injury and joined the commentary team in the relative warmth of the media box.

The first half seen both teams keep it tight at the back with chances few and far between. After around half an hour Staines’ Leroy Griffiths went in on Paul Cochlan with his studs showing, high and reckless to say the least, referee Kevin Morris deemed it to be a yellow card offence.

Staines had the best of the first half with Glyn Thompson in great form to deny both Leroy Griffiths and Scott Taylor from close range.

The second half started with Staines still seeing the best of the chances – Griffiths testing Glyn Thompson forcing an excellent save. The visitors should have gone one nil up after a

Gary Warren was awarded man of the match with a few minutes to go – a surprising choice but perhaps indicative of how much defending was part of this game.

Charlie Henry was the star man for county in the second half – jinking through the defence but unable to finish, until the 90^th minute that is.

Henry danced through the Staines midfield, ventured into the box, the Staines defender slipped, and with a drive it hard and low into the bottom left hand corner Henry sealed all three points for county with a superb finish.

Manager Dean Holdsworth explained after the game that he wasn't happy with going ahead with the fixture after a pitch inspection.

"I think the pitch played a massive part in that game today...it was always going to be a massive hindrance to both teams. Even when the guy fell over for Charlie's goal, but luckily it hasn't gone against us."

County have now won 15 out of their 21 games, loosing just once in the league so far this season.

BIARRITZ OUTCLASS DRAGONS AGAIN

In a match played at Parc y Scarlets due to a frostbound Rodney Parade Newport Gwent Dragons were no match for Biarritz.

The French side put themselves in pole position in Pool Two with an emphatic 26-8 victory. The Dragons started brightly with a try by Fussell but the match was dominated by a fine individual performance from Biarritz scrum half Dimitri Yachvilli. The scrum half had a personal tally of twenty three points including two excellent tries, Damian Traille also added a drop goal.

The Dragons have now conceded 75 points in two matches against Biarritz.

LEADBEATER READY FOR BIARRITZ

James Leadbeater is looking to get his first Dragons cap in the region’s must-win game against Biarritz Olympique tomorrow night (Friday, 8pm)

Scrum half Leadbeater, who has come through the Dragons Academy and represented Wales at Under 20 level will start on the bench as both Wayne Evans (knee) and Alex Walker (shoulder) are ruled out with injury.

Dragons back row Gavin Thomas will start to get his 50th Heineken Cup cap and Hooker Steve Jones is set to captain the side.


Rob Sidoli who came in to the away leg to replace the injured Luke Charteris (thigh) is joined by Hoani Macdonald and Martyn Thomas comes in for the injured Jason Tovey (ankle).

"Our injuries are a big blow," said Dragons Head Coach Paul Turner. "Luke Charteris and Dan Lydiate are our in-form Welsh players at the moment and it’s very disappointing for them and for the team as a whole that they can’t be involved tonight. This is offset to a certain extent by the return of Tom Willis and Joe Bearman whose absence has been really felt on the pitch.

"There is no doubt that we need a win tonight to keep our European hopes alive. We need to start well and eradicate the errors from last weekend. A week (or should I say five days) is a long time in rugby and tonight we are certainly looking to set right the problems of last week and take the game to Biarritz."

Hear all the reaction from the game on SPIN this Sunday with Paul, Mae and Mary from 5pm.

TWO MORE ON BOARD AT COUNTY

Manager Dean Holdsworth announced today that captain Gary Warren and Danny Rose have both signed two year extensions to their contracts.

They join Sam Foley in committing to stay with Newport County until April 2012.

With the Exile's top of the league and in deadly form, the widely expected signings were confirmed last night.

"I have been in talks with the lads over the last few weeks and both have expressed their desire to play for the club at as high a level as possible.

They have both been incredible with the abilty and attitude shown on and off the pitch and constantly contribute the right dedication to the squad mentally - they are leaders by example.

This is a great early Christmas present for us all and we will continue to work tirelessly to improve."

Holdsworth also say he appreciates the massive support the fans have given to the club so far this season.

"I know that this time of year puts strains on all of our time and pockets but I hope to see as many of you as possible on Saturday."

County kick off at Spytty Park against Staines town on Saturday at 3pm.

DRAGONS ANNOUNCE SQUAD TO FACE BIARRITZ

The Dragons have been left counting the cost of last weekend's match as three more players have joined the region's substantial injury list.

Welsh internationals Luke Charteris and Danny Lydiate are both out with thigh and hamstring injuries respectively. In the front row, props Ben Castle and Nigel Hall are out with shoulder injuries whilst Phil Price is also out with a knee injury.

Jason Tovey and Pat Leech are both out with ankle injuries whilst Alex Walker picked up a shoulder injury in last Sunday's game.

DRAGONS SQUAD FOR BIARRITZ-( Fri,18th December, Rodney Parade, 20:00)

BACKS

Martyn Thomas, Aled Brew, Richard Fussell, Mathew Watkins, Rhodri Gomer Davies, Tom Riley, James Alridge, Shaun Connor, Danny Lee, James Leadbeater, Wayne Evans

FORWARDS

Hugh Gustafason, Aaron Coundley, Duane Goodfield, Alistair McKenzie, Gethin Robinson, Peter Bracken, Tom Willis, Steve Jones, Hoani MacDonald, Robert Sidoli, Joe Bearman, Gavin Thomas, James Harris, Grant Webb, Lewis Evans

CRUSADERS HEAD TO WREXHAM

Crusaders have confirmed their move from south Wales to the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham. The old Celtic Crusaders club have been taken over by Wrexham Football Club and will play 11 of their 13 home matches at the Racecourse Ground, including the opening fixture against defending champions Leeds on January 28.

"North Wales has been starved of major sporting success for too many years and we are confident we can achieve that success in Super League with Crusaders RL," said Wrexham chief executive Paul Retout.

"Bringing Super League to Wrexham is akin to bringing Premiership football to Wales. Crusaders RL really puts Wrexham on the map. It's great news for the town, for Wales and for rugby league."

Plans to move the club from Bridgend to Newport were scrapped when new investment failed to materialise and owner Leighton Samuel agreed to cut his losses by transferring the club to the Wrexham consortium.

BIARRITZ BLITZ DRAGONS

Biarritz Olympique were too hot for the Newport Gwent Dragons in today's Heineken Cup clash at Parc des Sports Augilera.

The French side, currently eighth in the Top 14 were a class above their opponents. Indiscipline from the Dragons marked the first half with both Gustaffson and Webb yellow carded as the onslaught came from the home side. An early penalty try was followed by two Yachvili penalties.

James Arlidge scored two penalties for the Dragons before a further spell of pressure from Biarritz. Yachvili added a further penalty before scoring himself, his try swiftly followed by an interception try from Ngwenya. At half time it was 30-6.

The second half saw full back Ian Balshaw claim a brace of tries in the first twelve minutes to secure the bonus point for Biarritz. Tom Riley crashed over for a try after the Dragons gained a brief spell of possession with sub Bearman at the helm.

Biarritz had the last word with Valentine Courrent scoring and converting a try minutes before the final whistle to make the final score 49-13.

HASKINS CLAIMS TITLE

Lee Haskins added the Commonwealth super-flyweight title to his British belt after beating Don Broadhurst in a scrappy points win in Newport last night.

The judges scored the contest 117-113, 116-113, 116-113 all in Haskins' favour as he took away Broadhurst's Commonwealth strap.

Two of Britain's Beijing Olympic medallists also had fights in Newport, with David Price and Tony Jeffries both first round winners against below-par opponents.

Giant heavyweight Price just took 33 seconds and one punch to floor a frightened Dmitrijs Basovs, and it was only marginally harder for Jeffries as he finished off Latvian Anrejs Tolstihs in two minutes 17 seconds.

Jamie Arthur warmed-up for his British featherweight title shot with an unconvincing points victory over Mickey Coveney. The 29-year-old won 59-56 on points in their six-round bout.

DRAGONS DRUB LEINSTER

Newport Gwent Dragons drubbed Leinster in a convincing 30 points to 14 victory at Rodney Parade this evening.

The Newport based region took an early lead with a simple handling movement for an Aled Brew try to begin an excellent first half charge. Fly half James Arlidge showed great presence of mind to forego a kick at goal to skirt for a try in the corner against an unsuspecting Leinster defence. An excellent flowing move soon afterwards led to a fine try for scrum half Wayne Evans.

They wrapped up the bonus point with Fussell scoring out wide after a superb miss pass from Arlidge. Having secured the bonus point the Dragons maintained their adventurous approach but were only able to add a couple of penalties in the second half.

Depleted Leinster (minus their Irish squad players) grabbed a late try through Keogh.

Attendance - 5437.

CITY CLUB WINS TRIATHLON AWARD

Newport and East Wales Triathlon Club (NEWT) is celebrating after being named the Welsh Triathlon Club of the Year 2009 through the British Triathlon and Home Nations Volunteer Award scheme.

The club was only established four years ago, but in that short time has grown, and now boasts over 40 athletes who attend up to four weekly sessions run by volunteer coaches in swimming, running and cycling.

In the last 12 months, the club has run a number of events and held six events between April and September of this year, including the Blaenavon Triathlon, the longest standing triathlon race in the UK, and had its biggest ever entry field.

NEWT has worked with Newport City Council to access funding opportunities and facilities. The club shares facilities with Newport Harriers running club and City of Newport Swimming Club.

The last four years has seen the club gain funding from the Sports Council Community Chest and Welsh Assembly Government free swim initiative which has been used to support athletes with new training equipment, events to compete in and coach and volunteer education.