Newport RFC v RGC – 20th December 2025 by John Evans
The Black & Ambers had the luxury of a second home game on the spin following the demolition of Aberavon last Saturday. RGC have improved from recent seasons, recording a decent away win at Cardiff recently and putting Pontypool to the sword while we did a number on the Wizards.
Ty Morris and his management team named a little-changed squad for this fixture, just an injury ruling out quicksilver wing Noah Morgan. Chay Foster-Smith, playing his 150th game for our club, moved across to the wing, while Harrison James hoped to continue his promising form at 12, inside the bludgeoning Harri Ackerman. Morgan Burgess and Kobi Rees were in to act as impact substitutes off the bench.
Chay Foster-Smith led Newport onto the field to the strains of “Who Let The Dogs Out” at Newport Stadium. The conditions were perfect for rugby, firm and bright with minimal wind.
RGC’s outside half, Billy McBryde, the League’s leading points scorer so far this season, kicked the game off with Newport defending the SDR end. Dafydd Buckland caught the kick, Hunter Ward carried hard into contact before Dafydd Buckland kept the ball moving by popping it on to Harri Ackerman to set up the ruck. Buckland’s kick was caught but RGC centre Louis Williams was tackled into touch. From the lineout, RGC kicked long, Carwyn Penny, continuing his role at 10, sought space to run. Hunter Ward was, of course, on hand to batter into the RGC defence. Dafydd Buckland was lively, looking for options, found Lloyd Lewis out wide who broke the line and had Newport pouring forward. Ben Roach picked a line but had Harrison James running to his left to take the pass and skate across for the game’s opening try, with hardly an RGC hand on the ball within the first 2 minutes of play. Carwyn Penny added the conversion to make it Newport 7 RGC 0.
Newport had a penalty reversed against them by the referee, Mr Gareth Newman, for reasons that weren’t entirely clear. Billy McBryde kicked RGC to the corner for second row Billy McQueeney to take the catch, set up the rolling maul and hooker Jac Petch-Jones to cross at the tail. McBryde added the conversion to make it Newport 7 RGC 7 with as many minutes played.
The Black & Ambers yielded a scrum penalty on 11 minutes, RGC fullback Dion Jones gesturing at the posts from about 59 metres, but his kick was short and Harri Ackerman could boot the ball to safety.
RGC worked the ball well, but the Black & Amber defensive wall was equal to it, containing them until Ben Roach isolated prop Patrick Nelson and won a penalty for holding on in the tackle. Carwyn Penny missed touch with his kick to the corner, but sublime following up by Chay Foster-Smith forced the knock-on as RGC made a hash of dealing with it. Dafydd Buckland went right from the base of the scrum, Harrison James set up the ruck, but RGC left their right-hand side completely unguarded, leaving Dafydd Buckland ample space to snipe through and cross for a try. Carwyn Penny added the two-pointer to make it Newport 14 RGC 7.
The visitors came back at Newport, keeping ball, but it was loose. Unfortunately for Newport, loose enough to be tempted offside. Billy McBryde added the kick to make it Newport 14 RGC 10 on 16 minutes.
Defensive strength was keeping RGC at bay before they resorted to kicking. Morgan Williams caught the kick and released Lloyd Lewis, but he was well tackled. However, the scrum power exerted by Messrs Fry, Palmer, and Harris won a penalty which Carwyn Penny kicked in to the RGC 22. Newport contrived to lose the ball, but Morgan Wiliams ran the relieving kick back, before Dafydd Buckland kicked to the corner. Dion Jones did really well to keep the ball in touch and kick ahead, but Carwyn Penny and Dafydd Buckland combined well to clear the ball to touch. Callum Bradbury nicked the lineout and Newport were away, going wide quickly before Harrison James placed a beautifully weighted kick ahead for Chay Foster-Smith to chase and tap down across the line. Carwyn Penny added the conversion to make it Newport 21 RGC 10 with 27 minutes played.
RGC centre Osian Llewellyn made good ground along the right wing, captain and Number 8 Sam Williams carried on the move, but the unstoppable force met the immovable object when Billy McQueeney carried the ball into Josh Skinner. On this occasion, the immovable object won. Newport looked for an avenue out of defence, but it was down to prop Harry Fry to muller the ball into touch.
The visitors came roaring back into the game on 39 minutes with an excellent try by Dion Jones. Lively winger Caio Parry caught the ball and evaded tacklers, reaching the Newport 22. The big North Walian forwards kept the move going, scrum half Connor Dever controlling play, but Sam Williams and flanker Dafydd Thirsk combined splendidly to put Dion Jones away for a try near the posts. Billy McBryde added the two-pointer to make the score Newport 21 RGC 17 on 40 minutes.
Into added time, and Newport looked for more. The unlikely start point was a scrum on halfway; Newport went left quickly, Dafydd Buckland switched direction before Harrison James ghosted through the defence. Dafydd Buckland had caught up with play and was available for the inside pass to dive in for his second, and Newport’s fourth, try of the afternoon. That try secured a bonus point for Newport. Carwyn Penny nailed the two-pointer to make it Newport 28 RGC 17 as Mr Newman blew for halftime.
Half Time: Newport RFC 28 RGC 17
Carwyn Penny restarted the match, and Newport were back on the front foot almost instantly. Morgan Williams set up the ruck before the ball went through the hands, Chay Foster-Smith streaking along his wing before Harri Ackerman added his power to the move. Hunter Ward proved to be a nuisance to the RGC defence as Lloyd Lewis popped up to streak in and score. Carwyn Penny did his kicking thing again to make it Newport 35 RGC 17.
The visitors were working hard at getting back into the game, but a fingertip pass by Dion Jones onward wasn’t good enough and went forward, letting Newport off the hook.
Sadly, for him, Callum Bradbury couldn’t shake off a first half knock to his shoulder, but it gave a chance for Morgan Burgess to impress.
Good handling by RGC saw them progress upfield, but the stifling defence forced them to kick, but the kick wasn’t good, the ball cannoning off Newport shins. Newport gained a penalty from the resulting scrum, and Harrison James easily kicked the ball away and Newport were safe again.
53 minutes saw the change of props, Harry Fry and Garin Harris making way for Tom Workman and Ollie Drake. Josh Reid also made way for Ioan Rhys Davies.
Newport kept up their attacking momentum, Chay Foster-Smith scissors with Morgan Williams, Carwyn Penny’s nimble footwork keeping tacklers guessing, an outstanding rip by Hunter Ward making sure that Newport pushed ahead, but the RGC defence were switched on and equal to the challenge.
RGC gained a 62nd minute penalty which they kicked to 10-metres out. The lineout was won, second row James Brown provided the spearhead for RGC, driving into contact, but it was flanker Dafydd Thirsk that bagged the try, picking up after a series of close-quarters drives and scoring. Billy McBryde added the conversion to make it Newport 35 RGC 24.
Newport replied instantly; a penalty kick to the corner, Ben Roach up in the middle, a dynamic rolling maul, and Hunter Ward broke to the left, a bundle of energy as he powered over. This made the score Newport 40 RGC 24 with 67 minutes on the clock.
Lucas Welsh, Kobi Rees, and Aneurin Jenkins were all drafted in to replace Dafydd Buckland, Harrison James, and Henry Palmer. And the effect was almost immediate as Aneurin Jenkins caught an overthrown RGC lineout. Ioan Rhys Davies was in support of the hooker as Lucas Welsh streaked up in support. The new scrum half distributed well, inviting runners onto him until Harri Ackerman blasted across. Carwyn Penny did his kicky thing, making it Newport 47 RGC 24 on 73 minutes.
Newport weren’t happy to relax, a pass by Harri Ackerman from ankle-height only failed to be outrageous by being picked off by a black shirted defender. However, Newport were in the mood, quickly regaining possession. There was plenty of movement for Lucas Welsh to choose from, Tom Workman looking for work, Ollie Drake going close, but a pop pass out led to a try. It looked, from a distance, that Aneurin Jenkins had scored it, but the man himself admitted that Harri Ackerman had got the crucial touchdown. Carwyn Penny completed Newport’s scoring with the conversion making it Newport 54 RGC 24 as the clock ticked down. Joe Salter took to the field to help with the final defensive effort.
RGC had one last roll of the dice as they pushed for the bonus point that they probably deserved. Dion Jones strode onwards, but Morgan Williams had him well covered. With Ben Roach down, receiving treatment, RGC were awarded a penalty. Second row James Brown took charge, driving at the Black & Amber defence. Several drives later, and replacement prop Christian Hone powered over earning the visitors a try scoring bonus point. Billy McBryde added the conversion as the final action of a fascinating game to make the score Newport 54 RGC 31
Full Time: Newport RFC 54 RGC 31
Next Saturday, Newport RFC make the return journey to Colwyn Bay to face RGC again. The game kicks off at 5.30pm and, just in case you can’t make it, will be shown live on S4C’s Clic YouTube platform. The Black & Amber’s first fixture of 2026 is at home, at Newport Stadium, against Carmarthen Quins in a Super Rygbi Cymru fixture. It just remains for all of us at Newport RFC to wish you a Merry Christmas and we hope that we can count on your support into 2026!
Onwards and upwards Newport.
Your City. Your Colours. Your Club
#cotp
Final Score – Newport RFC 54 RGC 31
Seren y Gem – Dafydd Buckland