Dings Crusaders RFC v Newport RFC – 30th August 2025 by John Evans
Newport’s new season preparations continued with a short trip across the Severn Estuary for a visit to our friends at Dings Crusaders RFC. Dings play in National One, the same as Rosslyn Park, in the English set-up, at the enviable ground at Shaftesbury Park. They work well with the Bristol Bears professional team, hosting their Women’s XV as well as Bears age grade fixtures. They have been successful in their pre-season, so far, swatting aside Bargoed, before overcoming Pontypool with a late score. Clearly, Dings were fit and would play to the final whistle.
It should be noted that the game was being played using the different tackle law that applies in the community game, the main difference being that the tackle height had to be below the sternum, and tackled players are not allowed to dip their head into contact at the last second. It proved not to be a bone of contention, the game being played in a competitive, yet friendly, manner.
The kick-off was delayed until a 3.30pm start due to the referee being delayed in heavy traffic on the M5. Not a problem, lots of time for another cup of tea and a pasty, then!
Dafydd Buckland led the Black & Ambers onto the 4G pitch in a steady downfall of rain before Carwyn Penny got the game underway, Newport defending the ‘motorway’ end of the pitch. Dings kick-returned the ball allowing Newport fullback Morgan Williams to run at the blue and black-shirted defence. He drew a penalty, Dafydd Buckland and Carwyn Penny conspired to go quickly, but the wet, blustery conditions were already having an effect on the game.
Dings looked strong in the scrum, young tighthead Brian Ncube looking quietly impressive in the tight. Solid defence from the Black & Ambers pushed the hosts back around 20-metres, forcing scrum half Matt Jones to kick the ball to Newport. Unfortunately, the ball was spilled giving Dings a super attacking position from a scrum, but the cross-kick was telegraphed, and Morgan Williams had time to gather the ball and claim the Mark.
Finley Baker opened the scoring for Newport on 12 minutes with a well-taken try. Ioan Rhys Davies and Dafydd Buckland combined to release Baker on the narrow side, the wingman evading tackles before sliding in to score in the corner. The scoreboard read Dings 0 Newport 5.
A superb tackle by Finley Baker on Dings’ hooker Jeff Young gained Newport a penalty. Carwyn Penny put Newport into the corner, Callum Bradbury claimed the lineout ball before Dafydd Buckland brought prop Liam Newstead onto him to drive close to the line. A pass to Josh Skinner went to ground, but fell backwards. A hastily fabricated cross-kick invited Lloyd Lewis to go hunting for it, the ball bouncing awkwardly before the flyer got enough downward pressure to be awarded the try. It was now Dings 0 Newport 10 with 15 minutes played.
Newport extended their lead just four minutes later; a strong thrust into midfield by Ioan Rhys Davies set up a good position, Dafydd Buckland spotted the flat defence and put in a well-placed grubber kick which Morgan Williams latched onto and outpaced the defence to score under the crossbar. Carwyn Penny nailed the conversion to make the score Dings 0 Newport 17.
Unfortunately, Lloyd Lewis was withdrawn on 23 minutes with a knee injury, being replaced by Harrison James. Hopefully, Lloyd Lewis will be repaired in time for the Super Rygbi Cymru opener against Llandovery at Newport Stadium on Friday September 12th.
Newport conceded a penalty on 25 minutes for drifting offside. Dings kicked to 20-metres out before setting up a strong rolling maul. The mass of bodies got as far as the 5-metre line before Dings went wide quickly and were rewarded with a score by fullback Tommy Foot as he barged across the line for a try. This made the score Dings 5 Newport 17.
Newport were confusingly penalised on 30 minutes, the referee judging that a Newport prop had a knee on the ground. The fact that a Dings prop had done likewise went unnoticed, it seemed. The hosts put the ball into the corner, won the lineout and set up an excellent rolling maul. Backs joined the forwards as the maul heaved forward and going down across the line. Flanker Jonasa Tabual was credited with the try being converted by Jamie Elswood. The score now was Ding 12 Newport 17.
Newport became disorganised from the restart, loose and sloppy. Carwyn Penny endeavoured to mop up the mess but was penalised for his troubles. Dings set about Newport, Brian Ncube putting in a powerful charge, but was let down when a colleague went off his feet with just metres to go, and Newport were off the hook.
The rain eased off as the game stagnated in the middle third of the field. Newport were defending well, containing Dings comfortably as the referee blew the whistle for halftime.
Half Time: Dings Crusaders RFC 12 Newport RFC 17
Tom Workman and Wade Langley took their place in the front from at Half time, replacing Jordan Morris and Henry Palmer.
Josh Reid worked hard trying to carry Newport out of defence, but he was downed. Dings went quickly and earned at lineout close to the line following a knock off a Newport player into touch. Luckily for Newport, the lineout wasn’t straight.
Newport were struggling to break the Dings stranglehold as the heavy rain resumed. A firm tackle dislodged the ball from a blue and black shirt and Morgan Williams was able kick long, and the Black & Ambers could clear their lines. Newport eventually got into a scoring position on 49 minutes. Callum Bradbury taking a lineout, but Dings did excellently to turnover the maul.
Lucas Welsh and Harley Ryan took their place on the field for Newport, but, soon after, Dings earned a penalty. They went to the corner, set up a strong rolling maul, before hooker Jeff Young burst clear to score. Sam Worsley kicked the conversion to put Dings into the lead, 19-17 with 57 minutes played.
Dings lead didn’t last long. The introduction of Ben Roach, alongside Morgan Burgess, seemed to stabilise the Newport ship. Harrison James kicked a penalty to the corner for Captain Roach to take at the front. Kobi Rees, a summer signing from Ebbw Vale, bludgeoned his way to the try line and wrestled the ball to the ground to score. Harrison James converted to make it Dings 19 Newport 24 with 59 minutes played. #
Kyle Tayler was introduced for Newport as the Dings bulwark, Brian Ncube, limped off injured. A massive scrum drive by Newport saw Dings go backwards at a rate of knots before Ncube’s injury seemed to suddenly cure itself and the big man was reintroduced to stabilise the scrum.
Dings were circling offside on 65 minutes prompting Newport to go to the corner again. Morgan Burgess jumped front, but Dings, again, did well to wrap up the maul and gain possession.
Dings infringed again on 73 minutes. Harrison James put Newport into the corner again. Wade Langley looked likely to score, ball on hip at the tail of the maul, but the referee wasn’t happy with something, awarding Dings a turnover. However, this was upgraded to a full penalty for some unnecessary chopsing from Newport.
Lucas Welsh wrapped the game up for Newport on 78 minutes. With the ball wet, and the wind gusting, a harum-scarum few minutes, with the possession changing sides frequently and nobody able to metaphorically ‘put their foot on the ball’. It took a little moment of bravery for Joe Davies to spot Kyle Tayler rushing up in support, with Lucas Welsh infield again, leaving the young man to scamper across the line and secure the ‘W’. Harrison James added the two-pointer to bring Newport’s pre-season to a close.
Full Time: Dings Crusaders RFC 19 Newport RFC 31
We at Newport RFC wish our friends at Dings Crusaders RFC a successful season and thank them for their hospitality at Shaftesbury Park.
It’s on to the SRC, and the defence of the title. This starts on Friday September 12th when the Drovers of Llandovery RFC visit us at Newport Stadium. Season Tickets are still available by contacting the club. Another exciting season of Black & Amber rugby is upon us!
Onwards and upwards Newport.
Your City. Your Colours. Your Club
#cotp
Final Score – Dings Crusaders RFC 19 Newport RFC 31