Carmarthen Quins RFC v Newport RFC – 24th January 2026 by John Evans
Following the two-week break in fixtures, Newport RFC were back, this time in Super Rygbi Cymru Cup action. Newport are in a pool with the Quins, RGC, Cardiff and Pontypool so it will be interesting to see how this campaign develops.
Ty Morris looked to the wider Newport squad for this fixture, giving players game time while resting others for the upcoming workload. Joe Westwood was welcomed back following his successful spell at the Dragons while Jac Lloyd was made captain in Ben Roach’s absence.
The journey down the M4 was foul; Storm Ingrid had hit the west of England and west Wales, Carmarthen being just at the edge of it. The rain and spray brought visibility down and many travellers half expected a “game off” text, but the pitch at Carmarthen park was fine. The wind howled and the heavy grey mist hung over the town as the players warmed up. The park side of the pitch was abandoned as spectators sought sanctuary in the main stand. It was fitting, then, with the amounts of rain coming down that Newport had a man named Noah in their squad; Noah Morgan’s progress this season has been excellent. He is blessed with pace to burn and seems to have an instinctive knowledge of the best option. Hopefully we see more of the young man in future.
Ifan Davies kicked off for the Quins with them attacking the Town end. One had to wonder whether their choice of white shirts, with red, yellow, and orange chevrons, was a wise choice on the day, but that was their kitman’s problem!
Lucas Welch kicked long, but the ball got caught on the strong wind, rolling dead. The Quins pack have shown themselves to be formidable this season, and they demonstrated this by shunting the Newport eight backwards, Newport yielding a penalty in the process. Quins went for the corner but Morgan Burgess, making his 50th appearance for the Black & Ambers, nicked possession. Noah Morgan cleaned up the situation and Newport could clear. However, wing Iori Badham made a good catch in poor conditions, tempting Newport off their feet at the ruck. Scrum-half Jac Howells went quickly, getting to within five metres of the line. The Quins pack launched a series of drives at the Newport line, but it was prop Sam O’Connor who crossed the line. Ifan Davies added the conversion to make it Quins 7 Newport 0 with just 4 minutes played.
Jac Lloyd restarted with a low, hard kick to the corner which skimmed into touch. However, it was Quins flanker, and captain, Shaun Evans, that emerged with the ball. Quins were forced to kick but Harrison James’ run in attack ended when the ball was spilled in the tackle.
Following a little kick-tennis, Jac Lloyd’s touchfinder proved solid and put Newport in an attacking position. Morgan Burgess pinched the lineout ball again, Lucas Welsh dictated where the runners came from as Joe Westwood barged Newport up to the Quins 22, but an unsympathetic pass saw Jac Lloyd in reverse and it issued an invitation to the Quins defence to surge forward. They rucked over the ball successfully and a simple show-and-go by Ifan Davies saw him break the line, pop the ball left to centre Gabe McDonald who fed wing Thomas Williams to sprint in. Davies’ conversion was missed making the score Quins 12 Newport 0 with 11 minutes played.
Newport gained a lineout in Quins territory, but that side of Newport’s game was malfunctioning, Quins Iestyn Wood getting across the Newport jumper and claiming the ball. Undeterred, Newport fought on, Callum Bradbury being a willing carrier into contact. Sam O’Connor fell the wrong side of a ruck and gave Newport a penalty but, again, the lineout ‘choreography’ went awry and Lee Taylor, the Quins 4, came up with the ball.
The Black & Ambers were winning lots of territory and possession but letting themselves down at critical moments. Equally, the Quins defence was well marshalled and cutting down Black & Amber runners at every opportunity.
Quins hooker Lewis Morgan was replaced by Gruff Williams just as they went very close to scoring again. Noah Morgan seemed to chest the ball down then half-heartedly tap the ball forward as if he were expecting the referee, Mr Cai Lewis, to call a knock-on. It didn’t come. Quins whipped the ball wide, Thomas Williams going close, Iori Badham even closer, but the Quins forwards couldn’t hold onto the wet ball and Newport were off the hook.
The grey clouds over Carmarthen seemed to rise and the rain eased almost to nothing as families walked through the park in the brightening conditions. The sun may even have come out, but that rumour remains unconfirmed.
Quins were in the ascendancy; an overthrown 27th minute lineout was seized upon by Gabe McDonald who ghosted through the defence. Mr Lewis missed a glaring knock on, but play continued, only to be halted by a magnificent steal on the deck by Tom Workman.
Joe Westwood was prominent in attack, sucking in defenders and making ground every single time he took the ball. A neat pass out to Harrison James almost got his centre partner away, but the move broke down under sturdy opposition.
The threats kept coming as Quins manufactured a move on the left; Ilan Phillips, the Quins outside centre initiated the move, passing to Thomas Williams who popped the ball back infield to Ifan Davies who kicked ahead and gathered his own effort but conspired to knock-on in the act of grounding the ball. Newport were awarded a 5-metre defensive scrum, but the omens weren’t promising. First scrum saw Newport pinged for wheeling, the second scrum went backwards so quickly that Quins number 8 Ben Williams forgot to pick up the ball. Thankfully, Jac Howells’ pass out was so hurried and poor that Newport could scoop it up and belt it away from danger.
Now, this was to prove interesting and somewhat definitive; Gruff Williams went off injured. The replacement hooker now needed replacing himself. This action would prove to have a decisive outcome on the game.
Liam Newstead did well to get across the Quins ball-carrier to earn a penalty on 40+4 minutes. Jac Lloyd kicked to the corner, but the lineout was poor again. However, Mr Lewis spotted some Quins mischief-making. However, the next lineout was little better and Newport jogged down the tunnel to the changing rooms with plenty to think about.
Half Time: Carmarthen Quins RFC 12 Newport RFC 0
The first half clearly showed where Newport needed to bolster their efforts. A whole new front row came on, so Messrs Workman, Jenkins, and Newstead were replaced by Regan Jones, Henry Palmer, and Garin Harris, while Josh Skinner replaced Kobi Rees. However, there was a lengthy debate as the Quins tried to implement a third hooker onto the field. As you know, the laws state that if a team can’t provide front row cover, then the game goes to passive scrums, and the ‘offending’ team is forced to withdraw a player. With Quins’ most potent weapon now nullified, and going a man down, a very different second half was in the offing.
Henry Palmer was straight into the action, gathering a slapped down ball and charging forward. Back-up was on hand as Jac Lloyd put Joe Westwood into space and he was away, Westwood drew his marker and Fin Baker ran in under the posts to open Newport’s account. Jac Lloyd nailed the conversion to make it Quins 12 Newport 7 on 44 minutes.
Newport were on the front foot, working hard. Ioan Rhys Davies was becoming more prominent as Newport worked the spaces well before Morgan Burgess was put into a gap, arm raised, celebrating as he went across for a try. Quite the way to mark your 50th game! Lucas Welch steadied the ball for Jac Lloyd’s successful conversion, making it Quins 12 Newport 14 on 48 minutes.
Garin Harris worked hard in providing ball that resulted in a try for Fin Baker. The big prop pirouetted through a tackle before laying the ball back cleanly, Ioan Rhys Davies ran an arc before providing the wingman with the final pass. A skip through an attempted tackle and Fin Baker extended Newport’s lead. Jac Lloyd added the two-pointer to make it Quins 12 Newport 21 on 50 minutes. Three tries in ten minutes was an absolute sucker punch for the Quins.
Newport were penalised on 52 minutes, Quins opting to go to the corner. The ball fell loose, Morgan Burgess dropping onto it, but Quins’ Shaun Evans was offside, and Newport could clear their lines.
Kyle Tayler replaced Callum Bradbury on 52 minutes, just as Quins launched another attack. Jac Howells and Shaun Evans were the main threats, probing and driving at the Newport defence. The Black & Ambers soaked up the pressure reasonably well, but a little silliness by Josh Skinner, him knocking the ball away from Jac Howells and slowing down the penalty, earned him a yellow card and gave Quins parity.
The hour mark saw the first uncontested scrum of the game. Quins launched a series of biffs and bashes at the Newport defence but got nowhere. Eventually, they left a ruck poorly guarded, and Lucas Welsh could poke a boot at the ball. The Black & Ambers surged forward winning a penalty as Quins desperately hung on as Newport surged ahead. Jac Lloyd defied expectations by going wide quickly rather than boot to the corner. Noah Morgan flew along the wing, turning infield for support when he realised that the cover was going to beat him. Tiehi Chatham provided the support, keeping the ball alive but it was Ioan Rhys Davies who was the provider again as Fin Baker stepped across two would-be tacklers then stepped inside, leaving the full-back for dead to score his hat-trick of tries. Jac Lloyd added the conversion to make it Quins 12 Newport 28.
Harrison James made way for Tom Hoppe at this juncture, just as Lucas Welch was replaced by Dafydd Buckland, and Joe Salter made way for Morgan Williams.
The sheer weight of Joe Westwood running at them must have proved too tiring for Quins as they virtually waved him through on 73 minutes, the Quins backs now on point duty rather than tackling. Tiehi Chatham was on his right shoulder to take the scoring pass and cross near the posts, a deserved reward for the young man’s unseen hard work. Dafydd Buckland steadied the ball for Jac Lloyd’s successful conversion to make it Quins 12 Newport 35. Quins truly were on the ropes.
Newport were pinned in their own 22 as Dafydd Buckland’s attempted clearance was charged down, but Josh Skinner proved dominant in the lineout and earned Newport an exit out of defence. The Black & Ambers worked their way upfield, finally pulling the trigger when Noah Morgan was put into space. Tom Hoppe was in close attendance but was hauled down short. Dafydd Buckland popped the ball up to Jac Lloyd who jogged over to the corner to seal a convincing win and an absolute game of two halves.
Full Time: Carmarthen Quins RFC 12 Newport RFC 40
Newport RFC are next in action on Thursday evening, January 29th, when they host their old friends Pontypool RFC in an SRC Cup fixture. Following that, we are away at Cardiff RFC on Saturday February 7th, kick-off ay 2pm so that supporters can watch the England v Wales Six Nations game later. Our cup rounds conclude on February 14th, St. Valentines Day, when RGC visit us at Newport Stadium. Why not bring your significant other to the game?!
Onwards and upwards Newport.
Your City. Your Colours. Your Club
#cotp
Final Score – Carmarthen Quins RFC 12 Newport RFC 40
Seren y Gem – Fin Baker