Newport RFC v Aberavon RFC – 5th October 2024
What a difference in conditions, between when the two teams tried to complete a game of rugby a week ago, and today; it was literally night and day. Bright sun replaced floodlit gloom and relentless, thick rain gave way to a stiff southerly breeze. It was perfect Autumn conditions for a game between two well-coached teams.
It was Super Rygbi Cymru round 4, and the squad was rotated again to try to spread some of the workload. Barney Nightingale was given another start at centre, while George Young was drafted in from the Dragons to start at 6. Matt O’Brien was away with the day job again, so Carwyn Penny was given an extended opportunity to run the show from 10. Unfortunately, Rynard Landman was a late withdrawal, but Joe Peard was called in to act as cover off the bench.
Carwyn Penny kicked off for Newport, as the Black & Ambers attacked the SDR end of the ground. Aberavon kicked clear, but the ball was fielded by Ioan Davies who launched an attack. Jonny Morris and Barney Nightingale both sought contact, trying to soften up the visiting defence, but Newport just strayed offside in the excitement, and Aberavon could kick clear.
Nick Thomas pinched an Aberavon line out before Luke Crane sniped at a half gap. Thomas followed up his exemplar work in the air to pop up a pass from the deck to continue the attack as Newport sought to draw first blood, but Barney Nightingale’s pass out to Lloyd Lewis was untidy and the knock on was inevitable. Aberavon played on, Josh Reid fielding the catch. Aberavon conceded a penalty allowing Newport to punt to the corner, but the rolling maul was clumsy, and the ball spilled.
Newport made things difficult for themselves on 10 minutes when Ben Roach received a yellow card. The Captain looked for all the world to have contested the ruck fairly, but the referee, Mr Mike English had other ideas. Wizards scrum half Elis Horgan took the quick tap, flanker Rhys Thomas driving on, but spilling the ball over the line. Mr English made his mind up quickly and invited Roach to take a few minutes to think about what he had done. With Aberavon being awarded a scrum in the shadow of the Newport posts, and the Black & Ambers pack being a man light, it’s no surprise that the Wizards pack looked to keep it tight and drive Newport backwards. A slow and steady effort eased the hosts backwards and it was easy for number 8 Ashton Evans to dive across the line for the first try of the game. Ed Dunford, playing at 10 for Aberavon, kicked the conversion to make it Newport 0 Aberavon 7 with 13 minutes played.
Scott Delnevo, attacking the restart from fullback, and fumbled it badly. Nathan Evans and Tom Workman combined to try and set an attack up, but Rhys Thomas, the Wizards 6, was interfering. Carwyn Penny indicated at the posts and slotted the three-pointer to get Newport off the mark. Newport 3 Aberavon 7 with 16 minutes played.
Newport were pinged for side entry to a maul on 20 minutes, Ed Dunford plonking his pack deep into the Newport 22 with the resultant penalty. Second row Lewis Marsh took the lineout ball, and the rolling maul was dynamic, hooker Cameron Lewis crashing over out wide for another try. The conversion was missed, so the score now was Aberavon 12 Newport 3.
Newport were looking out of sorts. The penalty count against the Black & Ambers was racking up, line outs were going astray, passes dropped. This wasn’t normal.
A rare scrum penalty to Newport provided the break that they may have been looking for. Carwyn Penny punted the ball to the corner, Ben Roach claimed the lineout, Barney Nightingale surged up the centre channel before Nathan Evans was held up over the line. However, with a penalty coming, Newport repeated the move. Nick Thomas did well in the tight to free the ball up, Luke Crane tried to take on 4 Aberavon forwards and didn’t lose, before Nathan Evans had a lunge again, this time getting to the line for the score. Carwyn Penny added the two-pointer, and suddenly Aberavon didn’t seem quite so far ahead. Newport 10 Aberavon 12 on 35 minutes.
It was a pleasing sight to Newport supporters to see Ashton Evans and Scott Delnevo arguing between themselves over a botched pass which yielded Newport a penalty. Carwyn Penny’s kick was an absolute peach, landing the Black & Amber pack on the 5-metre line. Newport tried a ‘funny’ of their own, Henry Palmer throwing low and hard, Ben Roach barely leaving the ground, before the rolling maul surged around the Skipper and scoring the try. Carwyn Penny’s conversion smacked into the right hand upright, so the score now was Newport 15 Aberavon 12 in first half stoppage time.
There was time to restart, but no time to actually create much, before Mr English blew for halftime.
Half Time: Newport RFC 15 Aberavon RFC 12
Ed Dunford relit the flame, but it was Newport that went off like a rocket. The Black & Ambers powered up field, gaining a penalty. From the lineout Josh Skinner dived across the line, but Mr English disagreed and gave Newport another penalty. The lineout reset and it was down to Henry Palmer, ball held to his chest, to cross the line and extend Newport’s lead. Carwyn Penny kicked the conversion to make it Newport 22 Aberavon 12 on 41 minutes.
The game paused on 49 minutes due to an injury to Wizards prop Geraint James. Thankfully, the big man was able to walk off the field with what appeared to be, an arm/shoulder injury. Best wishes to him and his recovery.
Aberavon were physical and patient, but the scrum was their real weapon. A 51st minute effort, again in the shadow of the Newport posts, had supporters watching the game through their fingers, but it was a real let-off when Mr English awarded a free kick against the Wizards for an early engage. But it wasn’t to last as centre Frankie Jones, on the occasion of his 100th game for the Wizards, was the beneficiary of good work by his centre partner Sam Jardine, who split Newport wide open for a 54th minute try. Ed Dunford added the extras to close the gap to Newport 22 Aberavon 19.
Ollie Drake, Dafydd Buckland, Kyle Tayler and Elliot Frewen were all sent into battle around the hour mark, replacing Nathan Evans, Luke Crane, Josh Reid and Liam Lloyd respectively.
Another line out not straight occurred on the hour, but the real fillip was the sight of Aberavon prop Rowan Jenkins being replaced by Dylan James. No disrespect to the young man, but Jenkins had been a thorn in the Newport side all afternoon. The scrum was good, but Aberavon were very lateral in attack, and they eventually petered out when a careless pass was flung into touch.
Tyler Olding replaced Henry Palmer as Aberavon kicked the ball long, getting caught in the wind and rolling dead. After some deliberation by the refereeing team, Newport were awarded the scrum, followed by a rare scrum penalty. Carwyn Penny pushed Newport forward, but the lineout wasn’t successful, and Aberavon could scramble clear.
The Wizards pack were clearly depleted as the penalty count began to even out. Carwyn Penny again kicked Newport into position. Nick Thomas took the lineout ball, Tyler Olding broke the first line of defence before Josh Skinner hit the line at speed. Ollie Drake surged ahead, almost getting to the line before Kyle Tayler arrived to finish the job and dot down over the line, ensuring Newport a try scoring bonus point. Carwyn Penny added the conversion to make the score Newport 29 Aberavon 19 with 72 minutes played.
Dafydd Buckland stood deep within the backs to provide an extra man, but the ball worked wide quickly allowing Lloyd Lewis to sprint past his opposite number, link with Jonny Morris who found Barney Nightingale in support again. He gathered the pass around knee-height allowing Newport to drive on. Elliot Frewen was busy doing Elliot Frewen things but the final pass to Tom Workman was wayward and the ball spilled.
Josh Skinner’s shift was over, as was Tom Workman’s, Joe Peard and Archie Callaghan replacing them, but there was still plenty to do; Aberavon still had plenty to fight for.
An injury time yellow card for Dafydd Buckland seemed more clumsy than careless as a player was tackled over the horizontal. The Wizards, sensing a losing bonus point within reach, tried to exploit the numbers, but an all-too-casual pass by James Clegg saw the ball go to ground Newport could wrap up the ball and, with it, the win.
Full Time: Newport RFC 29 Aberavon RFC 19
Newport RFC have a full tilt October to look forward to. Having taken 5 points off Aberavon, the Black & Ambers now host champions Llandovery RFC at Newport Stadium on Thursday October 10th, kick off at 7.15pm. This game is part of the coverage by S4C and will be shown on their Clic YouTube channel. Following that is the visit to Pontypool Park on October 19th, followed by the visit of RGC to Newport Stadium on Saturday October 26th. Aberavon, Llandovery, Pontypool and RGC. It doesn’t get a lot tougher than that! If those games don’t whet you appetite for Super Rygbi Cymru then I can’t think what will.
Onwards and upwards Newport.
Your City. Your Colours. Your Club
#cotp
Newport RFC Man of the Match; Tom Workman
Final Score – Newport RFC 29 Aberavon RFC 19