Newport RFC v Carmarthen Quins RFC 3rd January 2026 by John Evans
Newport RFC arrived at their first game of 2026 at a sunny, but cold, Newport Stadium to host a resurgent Carmarthen Quins. Newport fell short at Carmarthen Park in October, going down 28-26, but Quins were looking strong over the Christmas period; any team that does a double against Llandovery over two consecutive weekends is hugely worthy of respect.
Injuries and unavailability meant that Ty Morris had to shuffle his team from the one victorious at Stadiwm Eirias last Saturday. Two new props were drafted in, Jordan Morris and Luke Yendle, whilst Carwyn Penny started at full back, Morgan Williams looking to make an impact off the bench. The return of Jac Lloyd at 10 was welcomed, Harrison James resuming his stint at inside centre alongside the impressive Harri Ackerman. The absence of the sensational Hunter Ward was countered by the talent of Ioan Rhys Davies in the back row.
Quins outside half, Elis Price launched the ball skyward to start the game. Dafydd Buckland booted the ball away from the ruck, caught the counter-kick and safely found touch to settle Newport down. The Quins lineout hadn’t warmed up, so Henry Palmer took the overthrown ball, passed onwards until Fin Baker was tackled into touch.
Newport were penalised for not rolling away in the tackle, a subject that was to become a theme later in the game, however, Elis Price made a howler with the boot, kicking the ball dead, Newport gaining a scrum at the penalty position.
A Newport lineout sailed through the intended recipient’s hands, Quins hooker Lewis Morgan gathering the loose ball and charging forward. The big West Walian forwards drove at the line, and, as hard as Josh Reid worked, they defended the rucks well. A simple pass left and Quins went through the hands until they simply outnumbered the Newport defence, fullback Steff Evans going over in the corner nearest the Cricket Club. Elis Price kicked the conversion to make it Newport 0 Quins 7 with just 4 minutes on the clock.
Quins centre Jac Howells was off his feet at a ruck on 7 minutes, Dafydd Buckland tapping quickly and haring off. A terrific pass by Harri Ackerman kept the move flowing, Carwyn Penny did well to retain the ball under duress, Jordan Morris made a charge forward while fabulous hands by the tight forwards kept the ball alive. Unfortunately, the ball went to ground at a critical moment and momentum was lost. However, from the scrum, Steff Evans’ kick was much too long and went out on the full, Newport gaining a lineout on the Quins 22.
Newport had set themselves up in a productive position. The Quins pack were pinged at a scrum, Jac Lloyd booting Newport into the corner. Ben Roach took the lineout ball, Dafydd Buckland looked to spread play, but the bludgeon of Harri Ackerman wasn’t sufficient to cross the line. Henry Palmer went close before Jac Lloyd passed wide to Carwyn Penny who found Fin Baker lurking with intent out wide to cross for Newport’s opening try of the afternoon. Jac Lloyd’s conversion twisted in the wind, dipping out before correcting its flight and going through the sticks for two points. Newport 7 Quins 7 with 13 minutes played.
Harrison James did well to evade tacklers before passing to Fin Baker who was downed near the touch line. Dafydd Buckland was omnipresent, as usual, recycling the ball before a stroke of luck, as a ball bounced off a Quins player and into Ioan Rhys Davies’ hands. He surged forward before Jac Lloyd kicked Newport into the Quins 22. The visitors lineout was spluttering, Jordan Morris gathering the ball and charging forward popping the ball to Henry Palmer. Luke Yendle was next up for a bash at the Quins defence, but an outrageous pass by Josh Skinner found Carwyn Penny in space to cross for a try, space enough for Penny to run in closer to the posts and improve Jac Lloyd’s angle for the conversion. Newport 14 Quins 7 with 19 minutes played.
Newport were aggressive from the restart, Henry Palmer catching the ball before popping to a rampaging Ioan Rhys Davies, scattering defenders as he ran. Fin Baker sliced the defence apart before passing infield to Dafydd Buckland on his right shoulder, the scrum half sprinting in for a great try. Jac Lloyd added the conversion to make it Newport 21 Quins 7 with 21 minutes played.
Quins were trying to move the ball, but the Newport defence wrapped them up well, even turning defence into attack when Lloyd Lewis sprung a loose ball, kicked ahead, took the bouncing ball before angling infield. Quins wing Ifan Davies hauled him down just metres short, but Lewis was then penalised for hanging onto the ball in the tackle, which was perfectly understandable given that he was alone, and Quins would have had the opportunity to counter if he had released the ball.
Luke Yendle was replaced by Garin Harris at this point.
The Black & Ambers kept up their attacking intent, forcing Quins into giving away penalties, but they were unable to capitalise on their possession, the Quins defence working hard at slamming the door in Newport’s faces.
Quins mounted a challenge of their own as the half drew to a close, but a careless knock-on gifted Newport possession, a simple scrum led to Jac Lloyd kicking the ball to touch, bringing the half to an end.
Half Time: Newport RFC 21 Carmarthen Quins RFC 7
Jac Lloyd restarted the game, with Newport now defending the SDR end of the ground. Newport were swiftly penalised again for not rolling away in the tackle, but Elis price let the Black & Ambers off the hook by kicking the penalty dead again.
Newport were under the cosh somewhat, giving away a string of penalties in defence, but never pushing far enough for the referee, Mr Ben Connor, to reach for his pocket. A stern word from Ben Roach was enough to keep the players straight. Quins, though, were having tremendous trouble breaking through the Black & Amber wall. They came close with a penalty to the corner, but then a silly mistake, getting accidentally offside at a lineout, gave all their hard-earned territory away. Quins fought hard to get back up the pitch, an unlikely winger in second-row Ryan Bean making yards of their right flank, but he was downed and gave a penalty away for not releasing.
Newport broke out of defence on 53 minutes, Lloyd Lewis skinning the defence before passing infield to Dafydd Buckland. Lewis stood in as a makeshift scrumhalf, but his pass out was intercepted by retreating Quins flanker Iestyn Richards, denying Newport possession inside the Quins 22. Despite protests from captain Shaun Evans, Mr Connor had no hesitation is brandishing the yellow card and granting Richards ten minutes on the naughty step. Despite this, Newport took the quick tap penalty, Josh Skinner driving hard at the yellow, red, and black jerseys, but the ball squirted out of the ruck and Quins could escape.
Quins found themselves offside again, Jac Lloyd placing Newport just 15-metres out. Barney Langton-Cryer took the lineout catch, Josh Skinner lead the maul charge, but with another penalty coming, Newport reset and drove hard again, but Ioan Rhys Davies was judged to have been held up over the line. As it turned out, that was Ioan Rhys Davies’ last act of the afternoon as he made way for Kobi Rees, while Josh Skinner had earned a breather, Callum Bradbury taking his place.
From the goal line restart, Carwyn Penny took the catch, scanned the field and hatched a plan. Running hard, he challenged the Quins defence before Kobi Rees, distinctive with his white-sleeved undershirt showing, carried the move on. Barney Langton-Cryer and Garin Harris carried into contact while Henry Palmer virtually thundered into the awaiting defence. Dafydd Buckland spotted a gap on the right and whipped a pass out for Lloyd Lewis to dive in at the corner, earning Newport a bonus point in the process. The conversion sailed wide, so the score was Newport 26 Quins 7 with 61 minutes played.
Jordan Morris’ afternoon was over, Harry Fry slotting into the loosehead berth. Harry Fry was quickly involved, Jac Lloyd putting in some mesmeric running, Fry linking with the outside half before the dancing feet resumed, but it was too much as the referee spotted crossing.
Henry Palmer was proving to be one of Newport’s most effective lineout performers, catching yet another overthrown Quins lineout on 65 minutes, this time it was punished by a walloping 50:22 kick that put Newport on the attack again. There were multiple changes for Newport before the next phase commenced, Aneurin Jenkins replacing Henry Palmer, Lucas Welsh came on for Dafydd Buckland, Morgan Williams switched seats with Carwyn Penny, while Fin Baker had done enough, Noah Morgan taking his place. From the lineout, Lucas Welsh passed to a charging Callum Bradbury but he, too, was held up over the line. Elis Price crystallised the sort of afternoon he was having by kicking the goal line restart dead, meaning that Newport were awarded a 5-metre attacking scrum, directly in front of the posts. Ben Roach played the ball from the base of the scrum; Lucas Welsh popped to Jac Lloyd who boomed a pass wide for Lloyd Lewis to canter in for his second try of the game. Jac Lloyd made the conversion look easy. Newport 33 Quins 7 on 71 minutes.
Quins replacement hooker, Lewis Jones broke free on 75 minutes, running the angle towards the Newport line. He was hauled down clumsily. Initially play went on, but one of Mr Connor’s assistants insisted that it was a full penalty to Quins, but no greater sanction than that. However, Quins lineout woes continued as Shaun Evans took the catch, only for the throw to be judged not straight.
Quins were anxious to get something else on the scoreboard and, as time ticked away, they threw caution to the wind, but they were desperately loose and Newport often had the opportunity to relieve the pressure. Lucas Welsh managed to spot Lloyd Lewis in space, the pacy winger sprinting away, but his pass infield was intercepted. Quins tried again but were dashed upon an Aneurin Jenkins-shaped rock.
Mr Connor played minimal injury time allowing Newport to leave the field with all six points in their back pocket and finish the weekend third in the Super Rygbi Cymru standings. It has been quite the turnaround from October.
Full Time: Newport RFC 33 Carmarthen Quins RFC 7
We have a few weeks off from the Super Rygbi Cymru programme now, our next fixture being in the SRC Cup competition against our visitors today, Carmarthen Quins. The game will be held at Carmarthen Park on Saturday 24th January, kick off at 2.30pm. Our next home fixture is also in the SRC Cup and it’s on Thursday 29th January, when Pontypool visit us at Newport Stadium, kick off at 7.30pm.
Onwards and upwards Newport.
Your City. Your Colours. Your Club
#cotp
Final Score – Newport RFC 33 Carmarthen Quins RFC 7
Seren y Gem – Henry Palmer