Newport RFC v Swansea RFC – 27th September 2025 by John Evans
With Ben Roach still sidelined, Ioan Rhys Davies was a more than capable replacement. Also, with Matt O’Brien unavailable through work, it was a first go at the Newport RFC captaincy for Josh Skinner. It’s been quite a journey for the man who had his photo taken in the Rodney Hall, as a kid, with his Newport RFC shirt on alongside his grandad. I’m sure his family are extremely proud of him.
Jac Lloyd kicked off with Newport attacking the SDR end of Newport Stadium. Callum Bradbury challenged for the ball, but Swansea kicked long. Carwyn Penny took the catch while remaining infield. Josh Skinner trucked the ball forward, but Tom Devine was taken man-and-ball, gaining Newport a scrum in the process.
Swansea were resplendent in their new kit (think Paris St. Germain football), but that wasn’t nearly enough to stop their pack getting mullered at a 4th minute scrum. Ioan Rhys Davies popped the ball onward, but Jac Lloyd’s kick cannoned off a Swansea player, but Newport recovered well.
Newport’s kicking game wasn’t going to plan, Swansea’s fullback Lewis Edwards aerially challenging Jac Lloyd and winning. The Whites went wide, but a super counter-ruck, initiated by Lucas Welch, regained possession for the Black & Ambers.
A kick from Carwyn Penny went left-field, Callum Bradbury gathering the lineout ball. Newport went wide quickly, Swansea ticking the ‘tackling optional’ box as Dai Richards raced through backline to score an 8th minute try. Jac Lloyd kicked the conversion to make it Newport 7 Swansea 0.
Newport were going forward with purpose, but a pass out to Dai Richards was telegraphed. Swansea scrum half Matthew Aubrey sniffed an opportunity, picked off the pass and scuttled 60-metres to score. That made the score Newport 7 Swansea 5 with 14 minutes played.
Deep in the Newport half, and Jac Lloyd’s kicked failed to find touch. Ieuan Cornelius on the Swansea wing took the ball, but his kick went high and got caught on the gusting wind and went across the field rather than along it. Dai Richards reacted quickly. The ball popped out to Lucas Welch who wriggled across the line for a try. Jac Lloyd added the extras to make it Newport 14 Swansea 5 on 17 minutes.
Swansea were pinged offside on 21 minutes, Jac Lloyd punting Newport to the corner. Josh Skinner wrestled the ball to the Newport side, but a collapsed maul gave Newport another chance. Callum Bradbury took the lineout ball before the rolling maul set, Wade Langley burst off it and claimed Newport’s third try of the afternoon. Jac Lloyd nailed the kick to make it Newport 21 Swansea 5.
Jac Lloyd’s long kick failed to relieve the pressure as it went straight out, Swansea being awarded a lineout on the Newport 22. Newport were penalised for not releasing in a tackle, the referee, Mr Matthew Leon, playing advantage, but none came. Josh Phillips, the Whites 10, placed his pack of forwards on the Newport 5-metre line. Second row Chris Thompson took the ball, an effective rolling maul setting up, before hooker Rhodri King was on hand to dot down for the try. Phillips added the conversion to make it Newport 21 Swansea 12.
A lineout ball glossed through Josh Reid’s grasp, but Callum Bradbury was alert, taking the ball and cantering forward a few metres to give Newport momentum. The Black & Ambers played to the right, but Dai Richards was stripped of the ball illegally. Jac Lloyd needed no prompting to go to the corner, Josh Skinner taking the ball before setting up the rolling maul. Wade Langley was at the tail of the maul to claim Newport’s fourth try and claim a bonus point. Jac Lloyd nailed the two-pointer to make it Newport 28 Swansea 12 on 34 minutes.
Mr Leon was forced to reach for his pocket on 35 minutes when Ioan Rhys Davies high tackled Swansea’s Callum Bowden. Josh Phillips punted Swansea to the corner. The lineout was completed and the backs joined onto the rolling maul, Neath style, Rhodri King being the man in position to score the try. The score now was Newport 28 Swansea 17.
It got worse for Newport as Kyle Tayler followed Ioan Rhys Davies into the bin. A successful tackle had been completed but, while Tayler was still on the floor and, therefore, out of the game, he couldn’t resist trying to tackle a Swansea player. This left Newport with 13 players on the field. Thankfully, Swansea fluffed their lines at the lineout, Callum Bradbury could retrieve the ball for Lucas Welch to belt it dead for halftime.
Half Time: Newport RFC 28 Swansea RFC 17
With Newport starting with two players short, it would prove to be a challenge to stifle a Swansea side that were full of attacking intent. So it would prove when Ieuan Cornelius crossed in the 41st minute. The Whites kept the ball alive knowing that a gap would emerge eventually. Newport simply ran out of defensive numbers as the winger galloped in out wide. Josh Phillips’ conversion bounced off the left-hand post, so the score was Newport 28 Swansea 22.
Ioan Rhys Davies rejoined the fray on 44 minutes, just in time for Morgan Williams’ try. The number 8’s very neat underarm reverse pass was a huge factor in launching the wingman as he strode away to score, making the score Newport 33 Swansea 22 with 45 minutes played.
Kyle Tayler resumed on 49 minutes, alongside Morgan Burgess, Jordan Morris, and Henry Palmer, replacing Josh Reid, Tom Devine, and Wade Langley.
Swansea launched an attack against the Newport line, but the defensive effort was tremendous, forcing Swansea to resort to kicking, Morgan Williams claiming a ‘mark’ to kill the attack stone dead. Unfortunately, the Whites were soon to mount another, a penalty giving them the chance to go to the corner. Cai Arnold claimed the lineout ball, but the rolling maul stalled. Swansea went through the phases, big man after big man hitting Black & Amber shirts. They kept the ball well and, eventually, Newport succumbed when prop Ed Thompson barged over from close range. Josh Phillips added the conversion to make it Newport 33 Swansea 29 with 57 minutes played.
Josh Skinner made way for fit-again Joe Peard on 58 minutes, but Swansea took the lead for the first time in the game soon after. Newport were caught napping on the right of field, Josh Phillips spotting this before launching wing Iwan Glynn to stride home. The score now was Newport 33 Swansea 34 on the hour.
Liam Newstead made way for Nathan Davies, while Dafydd Buckland relieved Lucas Welch of duty.
Despite Newport pinching a Swansea lineout, the Whites backrow made sure that their team regained the ball. Swansea went wide quickly, a forward pass being ignored by Mr Leon, as centre Callum Carson cruised through a lacklustre defence with too much ease. The touchline conversion was missed, making the score Newport 33 Swansea 39 with 62 minutes played.
Newport regained the lead on 67 minutes when a neat chip by Jac Lloyd was self-gathered before passing right to Dafydd Buckland, but he had defenders closing in on him. Swansea conceded a penalty, but Iwan Glynn deliberately blocked the run during a quickly taken attempt. Mr Leon spotted this and sent Glynn to the naughty step. Newport went to the corner, Callum Bradbury being the target. The rolling maul set and it was Dafydd Buckland, roped in to the back of the maul, who forced himself forward to score the try. Jac Lloyd improved it, making the score Newport 40 Swansea 39 with 67 minutes played.
Newport were penalised on 73 minutes for no release in the tackle. Josh Phillips went for the corner, but the rolling maul failed. With no advantage coming, Mr Leon pointed at Newport for taking the jumper out. Josh Phillips gestured at the posts, the first such action by either side all game, and calmly slotted the kick to make it Newport 40 Swansea 42 on 75 minutes.
Harrison James and Barney Nightingale were introduced for Morgan Williams and Callum Bradbury as the Black & Ambers sought a late winner. Dafydd Buckland released Carwyn Penny, but the fullback was physically carried into touch by a pumped-up defence. Morgan Burgess snaffled Swansea ball as Nathan Davies and Jordan Morris took turns at carrying the ball, but a super counter-ruck by Swansea regained the visitors possession as the ball was kicked dead for the away win.
Being Champions is amazing. The after-party was fantastic. But this hangover? Man, we need to lose this hangover.
Full Time: Newport RFC 42 Swansea RFC 40
Newport get a chance for almost instant revenge when the travel to Swansea RFC in Super Rygbi Cymru on Thursday October 2nd, the game being held at Dunvant RFC’s Broadacre ground. This game is also on S4C’s YouTube Clic channel.
Following that, the following game is at Carmarthen Quins on October 18th. Please note that there is engineering works on the railway that day, and Rail Replacement buses operate between Swansea and Carmarthen on that day.
Our next home game is on Saturday October 25th when Ebbw Vale visit us. Games against out friends from the top of the valley are always interesting, and this should prove no different.
Onwards and upwards Newport.
Your City. Your Colours. Your Club
#cotp
Final Score – Newport RFC 40 Swansea RFC 42
Seren y Gem – Dai Richards