Report by Steve Bennett:
Newport started the new season with a familiar trip to Sardis Road. This was the first of three pre-season games before the season starts in earnest at Newport Stadium in September against visitors Llandovery. The second pre-season game is in Southwest London next Saturday against Rosslyn Park at Priory Lane. The final warm up will be in Bristol two weeks later in what is becoming a regular visit to Ding’s Crusaders. Newport fielded a mixed side of familiar and unfamiliar faces.
On a glorious August afternoon Newport outside half Carwyn Penny got the 2025-26 season underway. Newport retained the kick-off but the first visit of the afternoon to Pontypridd’s 22 ended with a knock on. The first scrum went decisively to the home side. Newport’s scrum was driven back and penalised. Pressure from the home team saw Newport knock on near their own line. For all the home side pressure Newport were awarded a penalty for holding on. Carwyn Penny missed touch. The next passage of play saw a fine breakout by Newport from deep in their own half which ended with the line at their mercy a pass being dropped.
A spirited home side once again pegged Newport back in their own half and were awarded a penalty from a scrum, they opted to kick for the corner, but Newport challenged with great effect which was going to be the story of the day and turned over possession. Every scrum was becoming tasty with both sides exchanging pleasantries at every scrum opportunity. On 15 minutes Newport opened the scoring when a none too often visit by the visitors to the Pontypridd resulted in Noah Morgan cutting in from the wing to go in for an unopposed try. Carwyn Penny converted.
Pontypridd 0 – 7 Newport
This score galvanized the black & ambers as they took play to the home sides half, a fine passing movement saw full back Joe Salter man handled into touch in the far corner. Good Pontypridd tackling prevented Newport from having possession. Amongst the new faces in black & amber who were impressing was scrum half Lewis Stevens and back rower Scott Davies. Jon Morris and Iwan Prys Jones entered the fray early due to injuries. Pontypridd were exerting great pressure on the Newport line but a fine break out by the impressive by wing Finn Baker was only thwarted by a try saving tackle. It did not take long for Pontypridd to remove the play to Newport’s 22 after a fine 50-22. On 32 minutes Pontypridd opened their account when after another penalty, they kicked for the corner and hooker Connah Hughes was driven over near the right-hand corner at the clubhouse end. The conversion was missed. After the constant pressure the score was deserved
Pontypridd 5 – 7 Newport
Before half time was called Fin Baker made another terrific run and was proving a handful for the home side. Newport were thwarted by a disallowed try near the end and the half ended with Newport camped in the home sides 22.
Half Time Pontypridd 5 – 7 Newport
A raft of changes came at half time as was to be expected during a pre-season game. Newport extended their lead in the first minute of the second half. A fine break by Carwyn Penny took the play to the home sides 22, he handed on to Iwan Prys Jones who put wing Finley Baker in at the far corner. The conversion was missed again.
Pontypridd 5 – 12 Newport
Play resumed with Pontypridd being awarded another penalty from a scrum, despite all their endeavour and spirit they could not break down the Newport defence. Their inability to win clean line out ball was hindering them. Also kicking the ball out on the full and handling errors hampered them all game, although Newport were as guilt as the home side except for the line out which was the most productive possession they had all afternoon. On 63 minutes Iwan Prys Jones scored a wonderful try after a winding run down the middle of the field, Llw O’Brien converted.
Pontypridd 5 – 19 Newport
Within only two minutes Pontypridd struck back from a break by replacement Oli Shepherd he put fellow wing George Thorrington over in the corner. The conversion was missed.
Pontypridd 10 – 19 Newport
Newport were dominating possession in the last quarter but getting nowhere as basic errors were holding them back. Pontypridd were as they were all game uncompromising in defence and tackled everything that moved. With the game opening due to the number of replacements coming onto the field the game lost structure, but despite the errors it was an entertaining encounter and was the perfect start to a new season. Despite only finishing the game with 14 men after the sinbinning of Joe Salter Newport rounded the game up by a converted try. On 77 minutes replacement Llw O’Brien scored an intercepted try which he converted.
Full Time : Pontypridd 10 – 26 Newport