Newport RFC v RGC 1404 – 14th February 2026 by John Evans
The rain finally relented for long enough to start a Super Rygbi Cymru Cup match in something approaching spring-like weather. The sun shone, even if briefly, and the slight amount of breeze made conditions ideal. The small amount of standing water on the pitch from the previous day had soaked away, so a good, challenging game was in the offing. RGC have improved under Jon Callard’s stewardship, and they are back to being a nuggety, powerful side that work hard at slowing the ball down and going quickly when they have the chance.
Ty Morris made a couple of changes following the Cardiff game; Harrison James was trusted with the ‘10’ jersey in Jac Lloyd’s absence, Morgan Burgess started in the second row, his athletic ability in the lineout proving influential last weekend, whilst Kyle Tayler had a rare start at 7. Tom Hoppe was chosen to start in the centre, and it would be interesting to see his progression since we last saw him for more than a few minutes.
Harrison James kicked off with Newport attacking the Cricket Club end of the ground, Instantly, RGC second row Will Kellett fumbled his catch. The Newport pack immediately dominated the scrum, Messrs. Workman, Palmer, and Drake stamping their authority on the game. The scrum wheeled, Harrison James kicking the resulting penalty to the corner. Morgan Burgess was taken out in mid-air at the first attempt, so, with a second penalty coming, Ben Roach jumped front of line and set up a dynamic rolling maul. Henry Palmer, head up and looking, broke right of the maul and dived across for the opening try. The conversion was unsuccessful making the score Newport 5 RGC 0 with just 3 minutes played.
The Newport scrum went well again, but Dafydd Buckland was left exposed, being flattened as he tried to retrieve the ball from a ruck. The hack downfield rolled long before Newport put it into touch. The lineout went to the middle, the rolling maul was solid, going very close to the line. RGC scrum half Tudur Jones found a large enough gap to dive across the line and open RGC’s account. Billy McBryde added the two-pointer to make it Newport 5 RGC 7 with 8 minutes played.
RGC were having a good spell of possession, number 8 Sam Williams spinning through tackles to get within 5-metres of the Newport line. Flanker Celt Ffransis-Roberts’ charge was stopped in its tracks. Billy McBryde tried a cross-kick to wing Caio Parry, but Noah Morgan was on the spot to put the ball safely into touch. RGC’s lineout was overthrown, Newport kicking away, but the lineout was taken quickly, Caio Parry having a dart at the line before he was tackled to safety.
Newport enjoyed a spell themselves when RGC initially conceded a penalty; Harrison James kicked Newport up to the 22 for a lineout. Kyle Tayler burst clear of the defensive line before presenting the ball beautifully. Dafydd Buckland was taken out illegally, but the ball kept moving. With a penalty advantage coming, Tom Hoppe kept the move alive despite a heavy tackle before Harrison James slickly passed to Ben Roach to stride across the line to score. Harrison James kicked the conversion to make it Newport 12 RGC 5 with 24 minutes played.
Newport were pinged offside on 26 minutes, Billy McBryde nodding at the sticks. He doesn’t miss many. Newport 12 RGC 10.
Tudur Jones was having a good game for the visitors, being at the heart of everything that they did. He burst through a disorganised defence and got close to the line. Newport strayed offside again, but with the RGC heavy gang not making much progress, the referee, Ms Amber Stamp, came back for the original penalty. Billy McBryde soon had RGC ahead, making it Newport 12 RGC 13 on 32 minutes.
A 34th minute Newport scrum, with Sam Williams’ boots on his own 22, went to ground. The award of a full penalty saw Harrison James emulate Billy McBryde and put Newport back in the lead, Newport 15 RGC 13 on 36 minutes.
Newport had one last surge at the RGC line from a lineout following a mistake by the visitors. Tiger Chatham spun through tackles, urging RGC offside. Harrison James kicked for the corner and, following a strong rolling maul, the ball was spilled and the chance vanished.
Half Time: Newport RFC 15 RGC 1404 13
Jon Callard had to react to seeing his selected front row getting manipulated like that, so he changed all three at half time. Messrs Hone, Burt, and Roe were replaced by Messrs. Roberts, Parry, and Jones and the impact was instant. The first scrum of the half had Newport at sixes and sevens and a full penalty went their way. Billy McBryde pushed his team ahead once more, making it Newport 15 RGC 16 with 42 minutes played.
Cerrig Smith replaced Morgan Burgess as RGC let Newport off the hook somewhat. An overthrown Newport lineout saw hooker George Roberts scamper off, only to be called back for a knock-on. The Newport eight dug in, steadied the scrum, allowing Dafydd Buckland to pop the ball to Fin Baker, making a pre-planned run off his wing, into midfield, then arc around the cover defence to sprint in and score. Harrison James kicked the conversion to make it Newport 22 RGC 16 on 46 minutes.
Good hands by RGC, keeping the ball alive and forcing gaps in the Newport defence almost paid off when wing Sam Stoddard raced through. The excellent Caio Parry was there to finish the move off, but he hadn’t considered Fin Baker; the big winger got down low and knocked the sprinter into touch for a textbook try-saving tackle, an intervention that was absolutely worth seven points.
Newport applied pressure themselves when RGC fullback Dion Jones spilled a catch, then their scrum were found to have deliberately wheeled. Harrison James kicked to the corner, Cerrig Smith took the funny lineout at the front. Dafydd Buckland was omnipresent, pulling the strings, but RGC flanker Dafydd Thirsk did well to get across a tackled player and earn a relieving penalty.
James Benjamin came on at hooker for Henry Palmer, just as Newport went offside in midfield. RGC went to the corner, George Roberts broke but was held up. Tudur Jones fired the ball away as the phases rained in. It was left to the bulk of prop Pedr Jones to cross near the posts. Billy McBryde nosed the visitors ahead with the conversion making it Newport 22 RGC 23 on 56 minutes.
RGC were trying to turn the screw, but hadn’t reckoned on the abilities of Josh Skinner, making an astonishing rip from a tight situation, following this up with a feint to kick before setting up a ruck, allowing Tom Hoppe to act as a ‘9’ and work the ball clear.
The visitors kept their foot on the accelerator, Newport helping them along by going offside again. Billy McBryde extended their lead to Newport 22 RGC 26 on 65 minutes.
Callum Bradbury replaced Tiger Chatham, the young man having put a decent shift in. Newport launched an attack as RGC were penalised for an accidental high tackle on Ben Roach. Harrison James placed Newport into the corner. Ben Roach jumped, changing the point of attack as he came back down. Ollie Drake drove on as RGC tried to spoil the ball. Dafydd Buckland kept up the urgency, bring Callum Bradbury on a charge. Newport kept play alive until Harri Ackerman received the ball, twisting and turning as he pumped his legs and crossed to touch the ball down. Harrison James kicked the conversion to make it Newport 29 RGC 26 on 69 minutes.
Tom Workman had done enough; Liam Newstead replaced him, while Carter Pritchard replaced Dafydd Buckland.
Harley Ryan replaced Ollie Drake as the game began to degenerate slowly, the two issues not being linked, obviously. Handling became sloppier and accuracy decreased. Fin Baker was still paying attention, mind. An RGC penalty, with a kick boomed to the corner, could have caused trouble for Newport, but the wingman judged it well, catching the ball in-flight and making sure he landed back on the field of play. The visitors continued to try flinging the ball around but to no real ends as the Black & Amber defence threw up a cloak, stifling anything that tried to get through. Newport supporters had to sit through an edgy three minutes of stoppage time before Ms Stamp blew for fulltime and Newport were safely through to the semi-final of the Super Rygbi Cymru Cup.
Full Time: Newport RFC 29 RGC 1404 26
We have next weekend free of rugby before the Super Rygbi Cymru Cup resumes on the weekend of February 28th. At the time of writing, it appears that we will be home, at Newport Stadium, against Ebbw Vale RFC. Kick off is likely to be at 2.30pm of Saturday 28th February. Please be aware that the club aren’t fully aware of the details yet, but, when they are, they will be communicated to supporters. However, it is a cup game, and it will be, as it always was, ALL PAY. Season Tickets are NOT valid for these games.
Onwards and upwards Newport.
Your City. Your Colours. Your Club
#cotp
Final Score – Newport RFC 29 RGC 1404 26
Seren y Gem – Fin Baker