Newport RFC v Crawshays RFC – 25th March 2025 by John Evans
With the regular season over, we were now into the Play-Off rounds, this weekend being the ‘Wild Card’ weekend. Fortunately, Newport were not involved with those, automatically qualifying for the Quarter Finals by means of finishing third in the league. However, that did give the squad the opportunity to play under slightly less pressure when our friends at Crawshays RFC came to help us celebrate the club’s 150th anniversary. That doesn’t mean that Crawshays would be taken lightly; the visitors came equipped with a spread of talent throughout their squad that meant the Black & Ambers would have to be on their game to get the win. In addition, Crawshays were being coached by former Newport RFC player and coach Dai Rees, and it was good to see him back patrolling the Rodney Parade touchline like the old days.
Ty Morris pulled players in from across the area to represent Newport RFC, with a healthy smattering of first teamers to pull the squad together. Featured starters were former captain Rhys Jenkins, and Elliot Frewen, both legends in Black & Amber, and probably making their last starts for Newport at Rodney Parade, if the rumours are true. Indeed, both men led the team out, Elliot with his daughter, and Rhys with his nephew. If both players are nearing the end of their time in Black & Amber, then it’s fair to say that they have been amazing servants to our club, and we wish them well in their future endeavours. Their personal legacy, at Newport RFC at least, is secured.
Crawshays were playing in their traditional maroon and pale blue hoops, while Newport wore their commemorative jerseys, numbered in the old style, so the full back wore ‘1’, while the number 8 wore ‘16’. 13 was omitted on the basis of it being an unlucky number.
There was a minutes silence for the recently passed Neville Johnson before kick-off, which was observed beautifully, of course, before Dai Langdon kicked off for the visitors. Newport ran back with intent, a neat pivot by Iwan Johnes wrong-footing his opposite number before Newport earned a penalty. Newport outside half Harrison James kicked for the corner, but the lineout was spilled and Crawshays scavenged possession. Centre Matt Jacobs tried to run out of defence before Dai Langdon kicked long. Newport flung the ball across the line, with wing Ieuan Rowlands given the opportunity to run in, but the pass wouldn’t stick to hands and the chance went.
An excellent kick by Matthew Powell off the Crawshays wing put them deep into Newport territory. Crawshays tried the power approach, battering the Newport defence, but got nowhere until a defender strayed offside. The visitors opted to scrum, scrum half Jakob Williams whipping the ball away. Newport fullback Harry Dawes overstretched himself trying to intercept, knocking the ball forward. Crawshays went to the corner again, this time the phases worked as prop Lewis Pryce-Jones forced himself forward before fellow prop Max Surry plunged over to score. The conversion was missed, so the score was Newport 0 Crawshays 5 with 17 minutes played.
Newport responded immediately with a strong charge into the visitors 22. They won a penalty when Crawshays tried to relieve Rhys Jenkins of possession illegally. Newport opted to scrum themselves, Iwan Johnes getting close to the line. Scott Davies met strong opposition when he charged forward, but Lewis David found a big enough gap to slide through and touch down. Harrison James added the conversion to make it Newport 7 Crawshays 5 on 20 minutes.
Dai Richards made a scorching 22nd minute break with Harry Dawes in support, but his pass infield was picked off by Matthew Powell. Powell made the kind of run that he was known for when he played for Newport, but Iwan Johnes just managed to get fingertips to his jersey and drag him into touch.
Unfortunately, the game paused for 5 minutes when young Newport hooker Jamie Goldworth needed medical attention, following a heavy fall. Fingers crossed that the young man isn’t as bad as feared and is back on a rugby field soon. He was replaced by Maddox Barwood.
A superb kick by Harrison James put Newport is a promising position, but against a Crawshays throw-in. The lineout was overthrown, Maddox Barwood recovering the ball but was tackled backwards. Newport retained the ball, Rhys Jenkins driving hard, but Crawshays offended. Logan Franklin at scrum half whipped the ball away, Ieuan Rowlands making a thrust at the line. Lewis David battered forward, but a gap opened up for the direct running Iwan Johnes to score. Harrison James added the two-pointer to make it Newport 14 Crawshays 5 on 35 minutes.
Crawshays tried to build on their penalty, placing themselves into the corner, but, yet again, overthrown lineouts were their undoing. Rhys Jenkins scooped up the ball, and a Hollywood pass by Ieuan Rowlands afforded Iwan Johnes the space to carry away from danger.
Deep into first half stoppage time, and Crawshays were running with plenty of intent, keeping the ball well, but without much penetration. A penalty in their favour did the trick, and a front jump by Adam Stratton won the ball at the lineout. The ball was played quickly and centre Tye Davies bustled over to score. Dai Langdon kicked the conversion to make it Newport 14 Crawshays 12 on 40+4 minutes.
Flanker Callum Davies found himself offside at the restart. Logan Franklin went quickly before Dai Richards carved his way into the Crawshays 22. Newport were playing with the advantage so, with none coming, Harrison James went to the corner. Max Williams claimed the catch, set up the rolling maul before Maddox Barwood claimed the try at the tail of the maul. That made the score Newport 19 Crawshays 12 on 40+9 minutes as the sides ran into the tunnel for half time.
Half Time: Newport RFC 19 Crawshays RFC 12
Newport made a swathe of changes at half time, with Josh Skinner, Johnny Morris, Barney Nightingale, Matt O’Brien, Iwan Pyrs-Jones, Dafydd Buckland, and young fullback Joe Salter all taking the field. Indeed, with Matt O’Brien now pulling the strings, Newport appeared a lot more familiar, runners being brought in at pace, with Joe Salter making an instant impact, carrying Newport into the visitors 22. A few phases and the powerful frame of Josh Skinner loped across the line to touch down. This made the score Newport 24 Crawshays 12.
Following a penalty to Newport, the referee, Mr Carwyn Sion, produced a yellow card for the Crawshays prop . It wasn’t clear what had taken place, but it can’t have been good for a game played in such an open, friendly spirit. Anyway, the young man was invited to reflect on what he had done. Newport went to the corner, Dafydd Buckland moving the ball quickly to Barney Nightingale, who made good ground before being stopped. Unfortunately, the last pass to Josh Skinner was unsympathetic.
Crawshays tried to burst out of defence, but hard tackling put paid to that. Tevita Hemo Malungahu made a good pop pass out of contact to Johnny Morris who sprinted off, visibly accelerating as the cover closed in before treating the last defender to a Māori sidestep to score in the corner. This made the score Newport 29 Crawshays 12 on 50 minutes.
Dai Langdon and Adam Stratton combined well to make a charge at Newport’s corner, but a last-ditch tackle by Matt O’Brien came off. Intelligent running back by Dafydd Buckland cut off Stratton’s sightlines to pass the ball away, giving Newport an extra second or two to salvage the ball.
Newport were attacking with some confidence, Matt O’Brien going trough his box of tricks. Unfortunately, his long, no-look pass was well read by Ollie Das in the Crawshays defence. He picked off the ball easily and sprinted 60-metres to score under the posts. The conversion was successful, so the score now was Newport 29 Crawshays 19 with 56 minutes played.
A real collectors item was Josh Skinner’s deft kick to touch. Crawshays lineout woes continued with a crooked throw. Newport opted to scrum, gaining a scrum penalty as they pushed ahead. Dafydd Buckland went quickly, Tevita Malungahu carried hard, Josh Skinner went close but was quite upright. However, he did manage to wriggle his arms free to pop the ball to Dafydd Buckland who had the simplest try to score, under the crossbar. Matt O’Brien added the conversion to make it Newport 36 Crawshays 19 on the hour.
We then had another lengthy stoppage when a Crawshays player needed medical attention, Full marks to the medical team, led by Jessica Evans, who were onto the field quickly and made sure the young man had the best attention possible at the time. Everyone at Newport RFC hopes that he recovers quickly.
A good kick by Harrison James gained Newport a 50:22, but Crawshays managed a steal. Good, positive work by Newport regained the ball and Josh Skinner was close to crossing again before Tevita Malungahu crossed to score. Matt O’Brien converted, making it Newport 43 Crawshays 19 with 75 minutes played.
The field was breaking up properly now, Matt O’Brien bringing Iwan Pyrs-Jones off his wing to sprint forward. Good work allowed space for Nikolasi Soane to dive into the corner to score. Joe Salter kicked the conversion to make it Newport 50 Crawshays 19 with 80 minutes played.
The game was rounded off by a try for Joe Salter, Logan Franklin going quickly from scrum half. He was caught, but Matt O’Brien passed wide for Joe Salter to score. This made the final score Newport 55 Crawshays 19 with the clock reading 80+3 minutes.
Full Time: Newport RFC 55 Crawshays RFC 19
Apparently, Newport last played Crawshays back in 1974. Let’s hope it’s not another 50 years before we meet up with them again. Newport RFC are genuinely grateful for their participation and wish them every luck in the future. This game was played in a good spirit with lots of attacking rugby. Unfortunately, the appearance of the stretcher on the field on two occasions marred it a little.
The spirit of Crawshays rugby was neatly encapsulated by Ty Morris is his program notes, writing of his ‘fond memories’ of playing for them. He noted that he was “incredibly grateful for the opportunity they gave me to wear the jersey, travel to amazing places, and play in some unforgettable matches….built lifelong friendships through these experiences-memories I’ll always treasure”. If that isn’t a glowing endorsement of what Crawshays are about, I don’t know what is.
As alluded to in the opening paragraph, Newport are next on duty on Saturday May 3rd when they host The Wizards of Aberavon RFC in the play-offs. The game will take place at Newport Stadium, kicking off at 2.30pm but, bear in mind, this game is outside the Season Ticket arrangements, so will be ALL PAY. Fingers crossed we have some more games to announce after that this season.
Onwards and upwards Newport.
Your City. Your Colours. Your Club
#cotp
Final Score – Newport RFC 55 Crawshays RFC 19