During the lead up to this game Newport had suffered a fair amount of rain with regular helpings of torrential rain right up to kick off. Considering the rain, the pitch was in excellent shape for the night’s proceedings and thankfully the rain stayed away for the duration of the night.
Newport named seven new faces in their ‘23’, four starting and three on the replacements bench. Newport captain Ben Roach was making his 60th consecutive appearance, an excellent achievement in modern rugby.
Reigning cup holders Llandovery kicked off, after a few exchanges Llandovery’s captain Lee Rees kicks out on the full which gave Newport a line out on the visitors 22. The Newport forwards piled on the pressure on the Llandovery line. After spending the first three minutes camped in the visitors 22 Newport knock on and Llandovery cleared their line. But the pressure was relentless and only one minute later Carwyn Penny made a lovely break on the short side which enabled him to put a grubber kick into the corner which wing Finn Baker duly snapped up to open the scoring for Newport. The conversion was missed.
4 minutes Newport 5-0 Llandovery
On seven minutes Newport piled on the pressure and got a penalty which they duly put in the corner the resultant ball was turned over by Llandovery.
On 10 minutes after more Newport pressure Carwyn Penny knocks on near the visitor’s line, Llandovery’s outside half and eventual man of the match Ioan Hughes kicks the turnover ball deep into the home sides 22, Ben Roach and Jon Morris got into all sorts of trouble trying to clear their line and gave away a penalty. Llandovery’s kicked into the corner and flanker Stuart Worrall was driven over in the corner for a try, the conversion was missed.
This was the visitors first encroachment into the homes sides end of the pitch and they came away with a score that leveled proceedings.
14 minutes Newport 5-5 Llandovery
On 17 minutes Ioan Hughes put in a lovely 50-22 and was showing the control and quality which marked his performance all evening. After a period of Newport pressure Llandovery found themselves pinned in their 22.
On 23 minutes Newport, after a long session of ‘pick and go’ Josh Skinner was driven over. Carwyn Penny converted.
23 minutes Newport 12-5 Llandovery
An outstanding run by full back Morgan Williams sent centre Jonny Morris deep into the visitor’s half. Considering the wet ball the skill levels were quite high. On 32 minutes Llandovery were penalised near the Newport posts and Carwyn Penny landed the three points.
32 minutes Newport 15-5 Llandovery
On 37 minutes Newport tried to run it from their own line, but Jonny Morris spilled the wet ball. Newport laid siege to the Newport line and after constant pressure Llandovery playing the advantage on a penalty and after constant pick and go switched it the corner for Ioan Hughes to go over in the corner. The conversion was missed, and referee Adam Jones blew for half time.
Half Time Newport 15-10 Llandovery
After a fine start to the half, Newport could not add to their lead. In a seven-minute period from the 45th minute until the 52nd minute Llandovery stepped on the after burners. Firstly young prop Josh Morse instigated a fine piece of play which he finished off with a try under the Newport sticks on 45 minutes, Hughes missed the conversion so put the visitors into a two-point lead. Devastatingly Newport’s Josh Skinner was told to have a sit down for ten minutes.
45 minutes Newport 15-17 Llandovery
With the one man advantage the Drovers took control of the game and on 52 minutes hooker Cam Lewis score after relentless pressure and Hughes again converted.
52 minutes Newport 15-24 Llandovery
These 12 minutes were to prove the downfall of the home side. On 54 minutes Aaron Warren was sin binned only minutes later which gave Newport hopes of a comeback. Llandovery had other ideas and were controlling the game well. In another blow to the home side captain Ben Roach left the field injured.
A dominant Llandovery scrum earned them penalty, Ioan Hughes duly slotted home the three points.
69 minutes Newport 15-27 Llandovery
Although Newport were losing by twelve points they were still searching for a losing bonus point. Newport laid siege to the Llandovery 22, but twice Llandovery won the ball back on their own line to thwart the home side. With all the pressure Adam Warren was sin-binned on 78 minutes. Another last throw of the dice saw replacement Barney Nightingale crash over for the unconverted bonus point try.
Full Time Newport 20-27 Llandovery
Llandovery ran out worthy winners on the night. After fine first half performance Newport faded a bit in the second half, and possibly with so many new faces they could not perform just as well in the second. Although it must be said given time the team look like it could well keep up with the top four sides when the season gets serious.
Newport’s next home game is against Swansea on Saturday 27th September kick off 14:30. Before that is a visit to the Talbot Athletic Ground to face Aberavon kick off 14:30 next Saturday.
Newport man of the match – Morgan Williams