In 1971/2 the WRU re-introduced a Challenge Cup competition and it was won by Neath who beat Llanelli 15-9 at Cardiff Arms Park National Stadium on Sat May 6th 1972 in front of 12,000 spectators who had paid £6,000 in gate receipts. The previous WRU Cup Final had been played some 58 yrs previously when Aberavon beat Blaina 10-0 on May 2nd 1914 at the Brewery Field in front of 6,000 spectators who had paid just £156. This old competition was discontinued because play "became too vigorous and fighting occurred among spectators !"
The South Wales Challenge Cup was started in 1877/8 and Newport RFC were the inaugural winners and in fact won it 5 times and were runners-up once in the first 8 years of its existence – 1877/8,1978/9,1881/2,1882/3,1883/4 (r/u) and 1884/5. The Cup was discontinued in 1887/8 but revived again in 1889/90 but only junior clubs and second teams were allowed to enter the competition. In 1890/1 Newport United ie Newport RFC’s second team had an invincible season and also won the Cup beating Swansea Harlequins by 3 tries (6pts) to 0.
In the 37 years that the modern cup has been in existence Newport RFC have played 129 games and won 94 up to 2007/8. Newport's first match was on Nov 17th 1971 vs Cwmllynfell at Rodney Parade and they won 56-0.They have experienced highs and lows with the main highs being winning the cup twice (1977 and 2001) and the lows being losing at Penclawdd (1980/1) and Ystradgynlais (1993/4). They have reached 5 finals (1977,1978,1986, 2001 and 2003) winning two – in 1977 under captain Colin Smart and in 2001 under captain Gary Teichmann. They have reached the S/F’s a total of 9 times.
The 2009/2010 SWALEC Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
17/01/2010
|
Merthyr
|
W
|
31 - 6
|
Round 2
|
|
20/02/2010
|
Cardiff
|
L
|
20 - 22
|
Round 3
|
The 2008/2009 SWALEC Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
20/12/2008
|
Blackwood
|
W
|
40 - 21
|
Round 4
|
|
24/01/2009
|
Bridgend
|
W
|
44 - 7
|
Round 5
|
|
21/02/2009
|
Llandovery
|
W
|
38 - 18
|
Round 6
|
|
27/03/2009
|
Aberavon
|
L
|
10 - 20
|
Quarter-Finals
|
The 2007/2008 Konica Minolta Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
15/12/2007
|
Carmarthen Athletic
|
W
|
25 - 3
|
Round 3
|
|
26/01/2008
|
Llanharan
|
W
|
59 - 17
|
Round 4
|
|
16/02/2008
|
Bedwas
|
W
|
21 - 14
|
Round 5
|
|
05/04/2008
|
Glamorgan Wanderers
|
L
|
12 - 29
|
Quarter-Finals
|
The 2006/2007 Konica Minolta Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
27/01/2007
|
Bonymaen
|
W
|
55 - 7
|
Round 5
|
|
17/02/2007
|
Llanelli
|
L
|
3 - 17
|
Round 6
|
The 2005/2006 Konica Minolta Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
03/12/2005
|
Beddau
|
W
|
21 - 3
|
Round 3
|
|
14/01/2006
|
Merthyr
|
W
|
22 - 8
|
Round 4
|
|
18/02/2006
|
Aberavon
|
W
|
15 - 7
|
Round 5
|
|
01/04/2006
|
Maesteg
|
L
|
8 - 27
|
Quarter-Finals
|
The 2004/2005 Konica Minolta Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
18/12/2004
|
Abercynon
|
W
|
53 - 7
|
Round 3
|
|
22/01/2005
|
Pontycymmer
|
W
|
28 - 3
|
Round 4
|
|
19/02/2005
|
Glamorgan Wanderers
|
W
|
50 - 12
|
Round 5
|
|
26/03/2005
|
Aberavon
|
L
|
17 - 18
|
Round 6
|
The 2003/2004 Konica Minolta Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
27/12/2003
|
Bridgend Athletic
|
W
|
48 - 3
|
Round 4
|
|
25/01/2004
|
Cross Keys
|
L
|
3 - 6
|
Round 5
|
The 2002/2003 Principality Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
08/02/2003
|
Bedwas
|
W
|
27 - 10
|
Round 7
|
|
05/04/2003
|
Ebbw Vale
|
W
|
41 - 20
|
Quarter-Finals
|
|
19/04/2003
|
Bridgend
|
W
|
27 - 23
|
Semi-Finals
|
|
03/05/2003
|
Scarlets
|
L
|
9 - 32
|
Final
|
The 2001/2002 Principality Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
23/02/2002
|
Bonymaen
|
W
|
41 - 3
|
Round 7
|
|
29/03/2002
|
Cardiff
|
L
|
14 - 20
|
Quarter-Finals
|
The 2000/2001 Principality Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
08/01/2001
|
University of Wales Institute Cardiff
|
W
|
47 - 17
|
Round 6
|
|
24/02/2001
|
Aberavon
|
W
|
56 - 18
|
Round 7
|
|
24/03/2001
|
Dunvant
|
W
|
62 - 14
|
Quarter-Finals
|
|
14/04/2001
|
Ebbw Vale
|
W
|
19 - 12
|
Semi-Finals
|
|
13/05/2001
|
Neath
|
W
|
13 - 8
|
Final
|
The 1999/2000 WRU Challenge Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
22/01/2000
|
Treorchy
|
W
|
44 - 16
|
Round 6
|
|
26/02/2000
|
Cardiff
|
W
|
22 - 13
|
Round 6
|
|
25/03/2000
|
Scarlets
|
L
|
17 - 36
|
Quarter-Finals
|
The 1998/1999 SWALEC Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
19/12/1998
|
Llanharan
|
W
|
25 - 19
|
Round 4
|
|
30/01/1999
|
Swansea
|
L
|
38 - 60
|
Round 5
|
The 1997/1998 SWALEC Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
20/12/1997
|
Pwllheli
|
W
|
58 - 16
|
Round 4
|
|
24/01/1998
|
South Wales Police
|
W
|
26 - 8
|
Round 5
|
|
28/02/1998
|
University of Wales Institute Cardiff
|
W
|
69 - 15
|
Round 6
|
|
11/04/1998
|
Pontypridd
|
W
|
29 - 27
|
Round 7
|
|
25/04/1998
|
Ebbw Vale
|
L
|
10 - 44
|
Semi-Finals
|
The 1996/1997 SWALEC Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
26/01/1997
|
Cardiff
|
L
|
30 - 44
|
Round 6
|
The 1995/1996 SWALEC Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
16/12/1995
|
Tumble
|
W
|
62 - 0
|
Round 4
|
|
20/01/1996
|
Ystradgynlais
|
W
|
49 - 5
|
Round 5
|
|
24/02/1996
|
Llandovery
|
W
|
25 - 5
|
Round 6
|
|
23/03/1996
|
Caerphilly
|
W
|
16 - 10
|
Round 7
|
|
13/04/1996
|
Neath
|
L
|
22 - 24
|
Semi-Finals
|
The 1994/1995 SWALEC Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
17/12/1994
|
Pontypridd
|
L
|
0 - 56
|
Round 4
|
The 1993/1994 SWALEC Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
18/12/1993
|
Fairwater
|
W
|
23 - 14
|
Round 4
|
|
22/01/1994
|
Ystradgynlais
|
L
|
9 - 10
|
Round 5
|
The 1992/1993 Schweppes Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
19/12/1992
|
Amman Utd
|
W
|
8 - 6
|
Round 4
|
|
23/01/1993
|
Pontypool United
|
W
|
10 - 0
|
Round 5
|
|
27/02/1993
|
Cardiff HSOB
|
W
|
27 - 11
|
Round 6
|
|
27/03/1993
|
Bridgend
|
L
|
16 - 18
|
Quarter-Finals
|
The 1991/1992 Schweppes Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
25/01/1992
|
Glamorgan Wanderers
|
W
|
10 - 10
|
Round 5
|
|
22/02/1992
|
Cardiff
|
W
|
12 - 4
|
Round 6
|
|
04/04/1992
|
Bridgend
|
W
|
9 - 4
|
Round 7
|
|
04/05/1992
|
Swansea
|
L
|
9 - 23
|
Semi-Finals
|
The 1990/1991 Schweppes Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
22/12/1990
|
Amman Utd
|
W
|
22 - 0
|
Round 4
|
|
26/01/1991
|
Neath
|
L
|
9 - 18
|
Round 5
|
The 1989/1990 Schweppes Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
18/11/1989
|
Beddau
|
W
|
38 - 19
|
Round 3
|
|
16/12/1989
|
Treherbert
|
W
|
31 - 3
|
Round 4
|
|
10/02/1990
|
Pontypridd
|
W
|
12 - 3
|
Round 5
|
|
24/02/1990
|
Swansea
|
L
|
14 - 28
|
Quarter-Finals
|
The 1988/1989 Schweppes Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
19/11/1988
|
Llangennech
|
W
|
35 - 6
|
Round 3
|
|
17/12/1988
|
Hirwaun
|
W
|
40 - 4
|
Round 4
|
|
28/01/1989
|
Newbridge
|
L
|
3 - 7
|
Round 5
|
The 1987/1988 Schweppes Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
21/11/1987
|
Llandovery
|
W
|
41 - 6
|
Round 3
|
|
19/12/1987
|
Bedwas
|
W
|
20 - 0
|
Round 4
|
|
30/01/1988
|
Cardiff
|
L
|
13 - 26
|
Round 5
|
The 1986/1987 Schweppes Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
15/11/1986
|
Laugharne
|
W
|
27 - 17
|
Round 1
|
|
20/12/1986
|
Blaina
|
W
|
32 - 3
|
Round 2
|
|
24/01/1987
|
University College, Swansea
|
W
|
17 - 3
|
Round 3
|
|
28/02/1987
|
Cardiff
|
L
|
12 - 15
|
Round 4
|
The 1985/1986 Schweppes Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
16/11/1985
|
Abertillery
|
W
|
28 - 8
|
Round 1
|
|
21/12/1985
|
Mountain Ash
|
W
|
35 - 12
|
Round 2
|
|
25/01/1986
|
Wrexham
|
W
|
29 - 0
|
Round 3
|
|
08/03/1986
|
Swansea
|
W
|
10 - 4
|
Round 4
|
|
22/03/1986
|
Aberavon
|
W
|
15 - 6
|
Semi-Finals
|
|
26/04/1986
|
Cardiff
|
L
|
21 - 28
|
Final
|
The 1984/1985 Schweppes Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
17/11/1984
|
Vardre
|
W
|
22 - 0
|
Round 1
|
|
08/12/1984
|
Llantrisant
|
W
|
38 - 3
|
Round 2
|
|
26/01/1985
|
South Wales Police
|
L
|
12 - 15
|
Round 3
|
The 1983/1984 Schweppes Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
19/11/1983
|
Bryncoch
|
W
|
20 - 6
|
Round 1
|
|
17/12/1983
|
Ammanford
|
W
|
67 - 9
|
Round 2
|
|
28/01/1984
|
South Glamorgan Institute
|
W
|
34 - 13
|
Round 3
|
|
25/02/1984
|
Neath
|
L
|
11 - 25
|
Round 4
|
The 1982/1983 Schweppes Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
20/11/1982
|
St Peters
|
W
|
24 - 4
|
Round 1
|
|
18/12/1982
|
Tonna
|
W
|
38 - 0
|
Round 2
|
|
22/01/1983
|
Swansea
|
L
|
9 - 12
|
Round 3
|
The 1981/1982 Schweppes Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
21/11/1981
|
Llantwit Fardre
|
W
|
44 - 13
|
Round 1
|
|
01/01/1982
|
Newport Saracens
|
W
|
32 - 3
|
Round 2
|
|
30/01/1982
|
South Glamorgan Institute
|
W
|
24 - 7
|
Round 3
|
|
27/02/1982
|
Aberavon
|
L
|
0 - 18
|
Round 4
|
The 1980/1981 Schweppes Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
15/11/1980
|
Penclawdd
|
L
|
0 - 4
|
Round 1
|
The 1979/1980 Schweppes Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
17/11/1979
|
Bargoed
|
W
|
34 - 0
|
Round 1
|
|
15/12/1979
|
Pyle
|
W
|
12 - 6
|
Round 2
|
|
12/01/1980
|
Maesteg
|
W
|
10 - 6
|
Round 3
|
|
23/02/1980
|
Newbridge
|
W
|
7 - 3
|
Quarter-Finals
|
|
29/03/1980
|
Swansea
|
L
|
13 - 23
|
Semi-Finals
|
The 1978/1979 Schweppes Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
18/11/1978
|
Newport HSOB
|
W
|
22 - 0
|
Round 1
|
|
23/12/1978
|
Abercarn
|
W
|
13 - 0
|
Round 2
|
|
27/01/1979
|
Scarlets
|
L
|
12 - 18
|
Round 3
|
The 1977/1978 Schweppes Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
19/11/1977
|
Llanharan
|
W
|
31 - 4
|
Round 1
|
|
17/12/1977
|
Rhiwbina
|
W
|
30 - 3
|
Round 2
|
|
14/01/1978
|
Abercynon
|
W
|
14 - 3
|
Round 3
|
|
25/02/1978
|
Pontypridd
|
W
|
9 - 7
|
Round 4
|
|
01/04/1978
|
Aberavon
|
W
|
10 - 6
|
Semi-Finals
|
|
29/04/1978
|
Swansea
|
L
|
9 - 13
|
Final
|
The 1976/1977 WRU Challenge Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
20/11/1976
|
Resolven
|
W
|
80 - 0
|
Round 1
|
|
03/01/1977
|
Neyland
|
W
|
44 - 4
|
Round 2
|
|
08/01/1977
|
Tumble
|
W
|
12 - 12
|
Round 3
|
|
26/02/1977
|
Newbridge
|
W
|
13 - 10
|
Quarter-Finals
|
|
26/03/1977
|
Ebbw Vale
|
W
|
7 - 3
|
Semi-Finals
|
|
30/04/1977
|
Cardiff
|
W
|
16 - 15
|
Final
|
The 1975/1976 WRU Challenge Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
12/11/1975
|
Beddau
|
W
|
34 - 3
|
Round 1
|
|
13/12/1975
|
Burry Port
|
W
|
16 - 3
|
Round 2
|
|
14/01/1976
|
Newbridge
|
W
|
15 - 3
|
Round 3
|
|
28/02/1976
|
Scarlets
|
L
|
4 - 21
|
Round 4
|
The 1974/1975 WRU Challenge Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
09/11/1974
|
Bryncoch
|
W
|
0 - 0
|
Round 1
|
|
28/12/1974
|
Pontarddulais
|
W
|
32 - 10
|
Round 2
|
|
11/01/1975
|
Swansea
|
W
|
10 - 3
|
Round 3
|
|
22/02/1975
|
Bridgend
|
L
|
7 - 18
|
Round 4
|
The 1973/1974 WRU Challenge Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
17/11/1973
|
Ruthin
|
W
|
26 - 10
|
Round 1
|
|
01/01/1974
|
Burry Port
|
W
|
26 - 3
|
Round 2
|
|
12/01/1974
|
Swansea
|
L
|
0 - 6
|
Round 3
|
The 1972/1973 WRU Challenge Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
11/11/1972
|
Tredegar
|
W
|
19 - 8
|
Round 1
|
|
16/12/1972
|
Pontarddulais
|
W
|
29 - 4
|
Round 2
|
|
13/01/1973
|
Swansea
|
L
|
3 - 24
|
Round 3
|
The 1971/1972 WRU Challenge Cup |
| Date | Against | Result | Stage |
|---|
|
17/11/1971
|
Cwmllynfell
|
W
|
56 - 0
|
Round 1
|
|
28/12/1971
|
Penygraig
|
W
|
31 - 3
|
Round 2
|
|
25/01/1972
|
Brynmawr
|
W
|
23 - 10
|
Round 3
|
|
18/03/1972
|
Aberavon
|
L
|
6 - 28
|
Quarter-Finals
|