Newport RFC v Llandovery RFC – 10th October 2024
Week 5 of Super Rygbi Cymru and it was the visit of the Champions, Llandovery RFC, to Newport Stadium that caused S4C to be interested and move our fixture to a Thursday evening. At least, on this occasion, Thursday night rugby didn’t equal a biblical downpour.
The Drovers haven’t had the happiest of starts to their Super Rygbi campaign, being downed by RGC, Ebbw Vale twice and scraping a narrow win away at Pontypool. They’re a very good side and a strong squad, so they won’t carry on like that for long, surely. It was up to Newport RFC to ensure that their losing streak extended to at least 4 games. A good result against the Champions would go a long way towards building confidence within the squad for the challenges ahead.
George Young, the bustling back rower, was a late withdrawal from the squad, so Joe Peard stepped forward off the bench to start with Max Williams, a recent signing, filling the vacancy on the bench.
Josh Reid led the Black & Ambers onto the Newport Stadium pitch on the occasion of his 100th game for Newport RFC; Congratulations, Josh!
Matt O’Brien got the game underway with Newport attacking the SDR end of the ground. Llandovery kicked the ball to touch and Newport sparked an attack from Ben Roach’s lineout take. Ioan Davies sprinted into contact, Joe Peard kept the ball alive before Matt O’Brien’s touchfinder landed just outside the 22. Nick Thomas contested the ball, but the referee, Mr Tom Spurrier, spotted a knock forward by Newport.
Excellent work by the Llandovery forwards had them producing the ball quickly for their backs and they swiftly developed an overload on the right of the field. With Newport outnumbered, a simple draw and pass saw captain Lee Rees sprint in for the game’s opening score with just 6 minutes on the clock. Outside half Ioan Hughes kicked the conversion to make it Newport 0 Llandovery 7 with as many minutes played.
Matt O’Brien’s kick from a penalty was scuffed, barely getting over head height and landed straight at the feet of winger Aaron Warren. The Drovers reacted quickly, spreading the ball wide. Mr Spurrier missed the obvious forward pass in the build-up, but focused on the Black & Ambers defence, soon finding fault. Llandovery kicked to the corner, but the lineout defence was sound and Nathan Hart, the Drovers 8, was turned towards touch. Unfortunately, the potentially relieving lineout was faulty, and Llandovery could reset. They worked hard, drawing another penalty, this time opting to cash in and take the three points. Ioan Hughes slotted the kick to make the score Newport 0 Llandovery 10 with 13 minutes played.
The Black & Ambers were starting to be overrun at times, the Llandovery loose forwards looking sharp at the breakdown. It threatened to get worse as Aaron Warren cleaved the Newport defence open, but a poor pass to his support runner let the Black & Ambers off the hook.
And with that, Lloyd Lewis did much the same, but to more damaging effect. Newport worked an alternative lineout, winkling the ball out of the maul before the winger turned on the afterburners, jinked out, then in and sprinted to the line for Newport’s first try. Matt O’Brien added the two-pointer to make it Newport 7 Llandovery 10 on 19 minutes.
Newport were back under pressure on 24 minutes when a rolling maul collapsed inside their 22. Mr Spurrier spoke with captain Ben Roach, warning of the consequences. Llandovery went to the corner, but hooker Taylor Davies was unsuccessful in his drive for the line. Instead, attention was drawn to Joe Peard and Ed Scragg, wearing 5 for Llandovery, rolling around the floor exchanging punches. Mr Spurrier spoke with both players, but it was no real surprise to Newport supporters that it was big Joe shown the card, while Mr Scragg was free to continue. When play resumed, it was a Herculean effort by the remaining pack to dig in and win a free kick to clear their lines.
An unfortunate incident occurred on 31 minutes which Nick Thomas needed attention for. Thankfully, he walked off unaided, but would take no further part in proceedings. Max Williams was summoned from the bench to replace him.
Newport were pinged again on 35 minutes for no release in the tackle. Ioan Hughes pushed his team to the corner, Taylor Davies in prime place to drive for the line, but Dafydd Buckland had read the maul well and drove at its weak spot and disrupted it. The Drovers were forced to play, Ioan Hughes being caught in two minds. They retained possession, Aaron Warren caused havoc as Newport worked hard to repel the red and white jerseys, but a knock-on during Elliot Frewen’s tackle gave the Drovers prime attacking spot, literally 5 metres out, under the crossbar. Nathan Hart broke to the right, fullback Jac Davies was thrown back in the tackle like a crash test dummy. Flanker Evan Sheldon did some damage to the defensive line, but prop Jamie Hughes was the man on the spot to dive over next to the left-hand post to score. Ioan Hughes added the conversion to make it Newport 7 Llandovery 17 on 40 minutes.
Into added time and Llandovery infringed, compounding their mistake by time-wasting and being walked back 10 metres by Mr Spurrier. Matt O’Brien set the position up, but Newport were blunt in attack, and the visitor’s pack comfortably dealt with the maul and won the turnover.
Matt O’Brien was trying to create something, short passes to Jonny Morris at pace, longer ones for Chay Foster-Smith to blow holes through the defence, pop-passes to the big boys around him, but little was coming off and Llandovery trotted into the changing rooms at halftime probably feeling quite pleased with their first half efforts.
Half Time: Newport RFC 7 Llandovery RFC 17
Ioan Hughes restarted the game, and Newport’s sloppiness continued as the ball was loose at the restart. Kicks weren’t finding their targets and Llandovery appeared to be making the most of every advantage that they garnered. The won themselves a 45th minute penalty, Ioan Hughes making no mistake to make the score Newport 7 Llandovery 20.
The team management reacted by emptying the bench. Props Tom Workman and Nathan Evans replaced Ollie Drake and Harry Fry; Carwyn Penny relieved Ioan Davies of duty, while Kyle Tayler took over from Joe Peard, Josh Skinner moving forward into the second row.
Fresh legs brought fresh energy, and a big Newport scrum won a penalty. Matt O’Brien spotted an opportunity, tapping quickly. Josh Skinner lunged at the line but was held up. Ben Roach was next in and managed to dot down for a try. Matt O’Brien converted to make the score Newport 14 Llandovery 20 on 50 minutes.
Another penalty came Newport’s way as Jonny Morris was hit high, Matt O’Brien nursing Newport forward. The momentum was with the Black & Ambers as Mr Spurrier gave Newport an advantage. Matt O’Brien tried the quick tap again, sprinting to the line himself, but he was turned in the tackle. Llandovery could clear, temporarily, but Carwyn Penny was able to skip through a tackle, but his pass out to Elliot Frewen wasn’t held and the chance was gone.
A major setback to Newport’s ambitions came on 62 minutes following a try by wing Toby Baldwin. The Drovers had won a scrum penalty and Ioan Hughes had kicked them to the corner. Llandovery were patient in attack, going through the phases, Newport haemorrhaging penalties, until the Black & Ambers eventually ran out of bodies following varying cross-kicks between wings, cleverly stretching the Newport defence. Ioan Hughes added the conversion to make the score Newport 14 Llandovery 27.
The inaccuracy about Newport was frustrating for everyone. Luke Crane, having replaced Dafydd Buckland, took a free kick, trying to inject some pace into Newport’s game. Josh Reid charged onward, Barney Nightingale, also on for Jonny Morris, slammed into contact, but the handling was slack, the ball went to ground, and Toby Baldwin could hack the ball away, and, suddenly, Newport were 50 metres back down the field.
Newport tried to run out of defence on 69 minutes, but Matt O’Brien was snagged and penalised. In a telling piece of game management, Lee Rees wasn’t interested in going for the bonus point try; he just wanted Ioan Hughes to kick the penalty and extend the lead, which is exactly what happened. Newport 14 Llandovery 30 with 70 minutes played.
At this point, Newport were looking at finishing the game with no points, while Llandovery were in line for 5 points, 6 if they scored another try.
Outstanding work by Tyler Olding, newly on the field for Henry Palmer, won the ball in the tight, Mr Spurrier holding his arm out for advantage. With none coming, Matt O’Brien’s kick to the corner was laser-guided. The line out was accurate, and Luke Crane brought Barney Nightingale in on the crash ball. Josh Skinner pushed on, Crane himself had a dip, Nathan Evans, legs pumping, but he was just short. Matt O’Brien deputised at 9 as Chay Foster-Smith offered himself up, but the tackle by Lee Rees was outrageously good as he managed to halt the powerful centre and get his own torso under the ball.
Newport gave themselves a glimmer of hope on 78 minutes when Chay Foster-Smith finally crossed for a try. Newport gained a scrum penalty as it wheeled. Luke Crane seemed wrapped up in defence, but Matt O’Brien spotted a gap and passed to the centre to cross under the posts for a try, clattering into defenders as he did so. Matt O’Brien kicked the conversion quickly to make the score Newport 21 Llandovery 30.
The Drovers had the opportunity to wrap the game up when Newport were penalised soon after the restart. Ed Scragg took the lineout, but the move seemed to lack urgency and Newport gained a penalty advantage themselves to clear.
Deep into stoppage time, and Llandovery strayed offside. Matt O’Brien kicked Newport just 10 metres out on the stand side. The lineout was good, but the Drovers infringed again. Ever aware, Matt O’Brien took the gamble, popped the ball into the path of the onrushing Barney Nightingale to crash over for a try which earned Newport a 4 try bonus point and an additional point for finishing within 7 points of the winners, a situation which looked hugely unlikely on 70 minutes. Llandovery, while winners on the night, didn’t score 4 tries and failed to defend their 15 point buffer successfully, so only earned the 4 points.
Full Time: Newport RFC 28 Llandovery RFC 30
Newport RFC are next in action on Saturday October 19th when they make the short journey up the Eastern Valley to Pontypool Park to face Pontypool RFC in what is bound to be a full-blooded encounter. Following that, the Black & Ambers host, what seem to be, a revitalised RGC. The North Walians will visit us at Newport Stadium on Saturday 26th October. Both fixtures are Super Rygbi Cymru games and kick-off will be at 2.30pm.
Onwards and upwards Newport.
Your City. Your Colours. Your Club
#cotp
Newport RFC Man of the Match; Chay Foster-Smith
Final Score – Newport RFC 28 Llandovery RFC 30