Newport RFC v Bridgend RFC – 14th September 2024 by John Evans
Here we go, then. Super Rygbi Cymru is upon us, and Bridgend Ravens were our first visitors in the revamped league.
Following a successful pre-season campaign, Ty Morris and his coaching team, now supplemented by the acquisition of the services of Gareth Wyatt from Pontypridd, would have had ample time to work through the combinations and assess the fitness of each individual in the squad.
Before we go any further, though, it’s probably worth highlighting a few law changes this season. Firstly, it’s no longer enough for a player to stand still when a ball is kicked forward; players now need to make an effort to retreat, otherwise they will be seen to be ‘loitering’. You may hear this phrase used a lot this season. Secondly, the ‘Crocodile Roll’ has been outlawed, where a defending player levers an opponent away at a ruck. That has been deemed dangerous and must now be replaced with driving them backwards. Lastly, the option of a scrum from a free kick has been removed. In addition, there is a rule change in the SRC competition itself where another bonus point is on offer; if a team wins by 15 points or more, then a sixth point is available. This is to encourage teams to keep playing until the final whistle. But you all knew that anyway.
The Ravens had recruited well in the close season, especially amongst their backroom staff. Their new Head Coach is Scott Baldwin, while he is assisted by Bradley Davies as forwards coach, Matthew Jones as Backs Coach, and Matthew Morgan as Assistant Backs Coach. If the squad don’t take on board what these fellas have to tell them, then they really are in trouble.
Newport named a strong starting XV, with what looked like a ‘Bomb Squad’ bench, with Henry Palmer, Rhys Jenkins, Luke Crane, and Rynard Landman, among others, ready to be introduced when the management felt that changes were needed.
Matt O’Brien kicked off as Newport attacked the Cricket Club end of Newport Stadium. Bridgend set the ball up well, before a long, arcing kick was lost in the sun by Carwyn Penny. It was a smart kick to put in so early, but Newport made a hash of rectifying the situation and were penalised. Luke Price, the Ravens’ 10, booted the visitors to the corner. Zac O’Driscoll climbed high for the line out ball before Jordan Collier drove forward. Playing with an advantage, Bridgend pressed hard but with nothing forthcoming, the referee, Mr Rhys Jones, took play back. The Ravens set again, but this time their drive was good, and Jordan Collier burrowed over for the game’s opening try. The conversion was missed, so the score was Newport 0 Bridgend 5 with 3 minutes played.
Matt O’Brien picked out Iwan Pyrs-Jones on the wing who skipped along nicely, linking with Josh Skinner who found Dafydd Buckland in support. Matt O’Brien weighed in at scrum half as Dai Richards looped blind, but the pass out to Josh Skinner was judged forward and the opportunity was gone.
Bridgend Ravens were enthusiastic in defence and clearly playing several levels above the shambles that were crushed 89 – 26 back in April at our place. The Black & Ambers were being given something to think about as the blue and white shirts flew up quickly in defence. Newport would need to be both smart and patient.
Bridgend were found offside in midfield on 18 minutes. Matt O’Brien placed his forwards 37 metres out on the stand side for Joe Peard to claim the lineout. Carwyn Penny was swiftly floored as he tried to break the Ravens defence. Passes were being hurried, but Newport kept moving forward. Dai Richards cut through, Ben Roach carried the ball on, but Dafydd Buckland was forcibly removed from the back of a ruck, entirely legally according to the man in the middle, and Bridgend were free to kick clear.
The Ravens were penalised, Matt O’Brien kicking for position. Ben Roach won the lineout ball as the rolling maul formed. Phases poured into attack, but the ball was lost forward. Bridgend were aggressive in defence as they sought to counter-attack. Centre Ryan Wilkins skipped along the touchline before putting an excellent pass out of contact to fullback Edd Howley who sprinted in to score Bridgend’s second try. Again, the conversion was missed, making the score Newport 0 Bridgend 10 on 32 minutes.
A scrum to Bridgend didn’t end well for the visitors as the ball squirted out on the Newport side. Iwan Pyrs-Jones made a thrust at the corner, but Bridgend conceded another penalty in their desperation. Kick to the corner, Josh Skinner rising highest, and it was Wade Langley who burst across the line to dot down. That made the score Newport 5 Bridgend 10 on 34 minutes.
A harum-scarum few minutes ensued as neither team seemed to want to keep hold of the ball for very long. A long cross-kick to Lloyd Lewis evaded the winger, but the Bridgend ball carrier found himself mugged by Joe Peard. Matt O’Brien repeated the cross-kick trick to Iwan Pyrs-Jones. The bounce was kind allowing Newport to crack on. Ben Roach was always available, but the Ravens did a decent job of disrupting the attack. However, they shot themselves in the foot by conceding another penalty. Kick to the corner again, Ben Roach providing the ball, before Wade Langley had a tilt at the line. Dafydd Buckland spun the ball wide, and the flat pass to Chay Foster-Smith, who pirouetted out of the tackle as he took the ball in the shadow of the posts, before sprinting to the line, was a sublime passage of play. Matt O’Brien kicked the conversion to make the score Newport 12 Bridgend 10.
Deep into injury time and Newport were penalised for holding onto the ball. With no time left, Bridgend motioned for a kick at goal from, roughly, the centre spot of the field. Luke Price struck it well enough, trying to utilise the stiff southerly gusts of wind, but his kick was wide, and both sides could head into the changing rooms with plenty to think about.
Half Time: Newport RFC 12 Bridgend RFC 10
Rynard Landman replaced Josh Skinner at half time, as Luke Price restarted play. Matt O’Brien caught the ball and cleared the ball to touch.
Newport were looking to go wide, and they managed to free Lloyd Lewis to burst into the Bridgend half before the ball worked it’s way back infield. Bridgend knocked on, then were penalised, inviting Matt O’Brien to push them deep into the corner again. The Ben Roach Possession Conveyor Belt was working well as the rolling maul set, and it was Ollie Drake who was the beneficiary on this occasion, driving over from close range, making the score Newport 17 Bridgend 10.
Bridgend were giving far too many penalties away, and another one on 49 minutes again invited Matt O’Brien to pin them into the corner. Wade Langley made a surge to the line but was resisted. Matt O’Brien cross-kicked to Iwan Pyrs-Jones, but the ball seemed to cannon off the wingers breastplate. Not to worry, Bridgend had offended again, so it was back for another go. A rolling maul formed around Ben Roach, crabbing left. Wade Langley was held up by the width of a blade of grass, but Kyle Tayler managed to get the ball across the line, somehow, and claimed a try. Matt O’Brien nailed the two-pointer, so the score now was Newport 24 Bridgend 10.
Ty Morris rotated his line up around the hour mark as Henry Palmer replaced Wade Langley, Jac Lloyd replaced Dai Richards, Ioan Davies replaced Carwyn Penny, and Nathan Evans took over from Ollie Drake.
61 minutes saw Bridgend give away another in a stream of penalties, hands in the ruck this time. The usual O’Brien-corner-Roach routine was completed, and it was Henry Palmer who crossed the line, ball hugged to his chest, as the pack bulldozed away in front of him. Matt O’Brien improved it, making the score Newport 31 Bridgend 10, as Rhys Jenkins relieved Josh Reid of duty.
Newport conceded a scrum penalty on 65 minutes, Luke Price tapping quickly and running, but the Black & Amber wall wrapped him up quickly, Matt O’Brien emerging with the ball and passing to Iwan Pyrs-Jones, who was away rapidly. With cover closing in, the pacey wing kicked ahead, but Newport were clumsy in trying to recover the ball, and the momentum was lost.
Dafydd Buckland made way for Luke Crane as a Bridgend lineout was overthrown into the waiting hands of Henry Palmer. Matt O’Brien’s kick was charged down, but Newport retained possession. The Black & Ambers exerted pressure and eventually found Lloyd Lewis with a little space. He finally slipped his marker and hared forward before popping the ball to the loping hulk that is Rynard Landman. The South African crossed out wide, but Matt O’Brien had little trouble converting the score to make it Newport 38 Bridgend 10 on 71 minutes.
Matt O’Brien found himself dumped on his backside, spilling the ball as he did so on 76 minutes. Bridgend were on the ball like a flash, Ben Burnell sprinting through the middle of the pitch. However, as hard as Ioan Davies ran to get into position, a simple pass to Edd Howley ensured the Ravens try. The conversion was missed, so the score was Newport 38 Bridgend 15.
Newport kept attacking, but a loose pass fell short of its intended target. Again, the Ravens snaffled it, and wing McCauley Rowley sprinted 80 metres to score. However, Lloyd Lewis tracked back and was convinced that he had averted the score as the Bridgend man collided heavily with the post pad. His disbelief at Mr. Jones’ decision was clear for all in the ground to see. However, it did award our visitors a try-scoring bonus point. Luke Price kicked his first conversion of the game to make the score Newport 38 Bridgend 22.
Now, then. Newport were fully aware of the 15+ points bonus on offer, and a margin of +16 gave Newport reason to carry on playing, which is what the rule was designed for. However, it also gave the supporters a nervous edge, as a simple drop goal from the Ravens would deny the Black & Ambers, and in Edd Howley they have a good exponent of that art. With the restart going out on the full, the nerves began to build. However, Newport need not have worried as the Ravens were unable to capitalise. Indeed, their captain, Zac O’Driscoll sealed their fate when he joined a ruck from the side on 87 minutes. With time now with Newport, Matt O’Brien gestured at the sticks and took his penalty shot from 46 metres. The ball sailed high and straight and through the middle of the posts to send a good-sized Newport crowd home happy.
Full Time: Newport RFC 41 Bridgend RFC 22
Credit to Bridgend. They are a different proposition from last season. If they can reduce their penalty count, and the silly mistakes, they are going to win more games that they lose this season.
Newport travel to St. Helens next Saturday, to take on the Whites of Swansea RFC, kicking off at 2.30pm. The following Thursday, September 26th, Newport are on telly again when they travel to Aberavon for a fixture shown on S4C’s Clic YouTube channel. This game kicks off ay 7.15pm. Newport RFC are next at home on Saturday October 5th when the Wizards make a quick return to visit us. Kick off for that particular Super Rygbi Cymru game will be at 2.30pm.
Onwards and upwards Newport.
Your City. Your Colours. Your Club
#cotp
Newport RFC Man of the Match; Ben Roach
Final Score – Newport RFC 41 Bridgend RFC 22