Rugby Union: Jarvis outshines icon Teichmann

THINGS CAN only get better for Gary Teichmann after scoring a try on his debut for Welsh rugby's big spenders Newport, but still ending up on the losing side to Pontypridd.

The South African was given a hero's welcome at Rodney Parade and the kick-off was even delayed for 10 minutes as the crowd queued up to catch a glimpse of one of the giants of world rugby.

Strangely, Teichmann probably does not see it like that. It has been an awful year for the big No 8. He lost the Springbok captaincy during the Tri-Nations, and was dropped from the South African World Cup squad.

He was the first Springbok skipper in 93 years to lose to Wales in the opening game at the Millennium Stadium back in June and, to cap it all, he picked up a loser's medal in the Currie Cup final last week.

Teichmann was part of the Natal side that lost to the Golden Lions last week and also suffered a bang on the head that required seven stitches before flying into Newport on Wednesday.

He is part of the "Bok and Ambers" revolution started by Bisley office furniture magnate Tony Brown at Rodney Parade.

Teichmann, along with Andy Marinos, a Welsh-qualified South African, and Springboks Franco Smith and Robbie Kempson all made their home debuts on Saturday.

Marinos also managed a try in front of a 7,000 crowd - the biggest Newport has seen since New Zealand visited the old place back in 1989 - but it was not enough.

Pontypridd fly half Lee Jarvis was the star of the show. The 22-year- old outside half scored rugby's version of a full house in his personal 28-point haul, including two tries, two drop goals, two penalties and three conversions.

Newport full-back Gareth Cull and Jarvis both kicked a penalty each early on to make the score 3-3 before Marinos sprinted 22 metres to score the first try of the game.

Cull missed the conversion but minutes later the Ponty defence caved in as the Newport pack barged its way over the line and Teichmann emerged as the try-scorer. Newport were 15-3 up after 20 minutes.

Ponty finally got into the game five minutes later, when Jarvis put centre Jason Lewis in for a try and then scored his first try, which he converted, and Ponty were in lead 17-15.

Newport replied with two quick Cull penalties and led 21-17 at half time. But Jarvis replied with a penalty and two quick drop goals to put his side five points ahead.

Jarvis then scored his second try with a huge dummy which he converted and the game was won, though Newport managed a late consolation try by Mckim.

Newport; Tries Marinos, Teichmann, Mckim; Conversions Cull 2; Penalties Cull 3. Pontypridd; Tries Lewis, Jarvis 2; Conversions Jarvis 3; Dropped Goals Jarvis 2; Penalties Jarvis 2.

Newport; G Cull; N McKim, M Watkins, A Marinos, M Llewellyn (J Pritchard h-t); F Smith, D Burn; C Jones, D Cummins (G Hicks 66), L Fortey (R Kempson h-t), G Taylor, P Jones, A Gibbs (A Popham 69), G Teichmann, J Forster (capt).

Pontypridd; B Davey; G Wyatt, S Parker, J Lewis (J Bryant h-t), R Greenslade- Jones; L Jarvis, P John (capt); M Griffiths (C Loader h-t), A Lamerton, S Cronk, W James, I Gough, M Lloyd, D McIntosh, R Field (R Parkes 49).

Referee; N Whitehouse (Swansea).