Newport RFC v Carmarthen Quins RFC – 15th February 2025 by John Evans
After spending the last six weeks roaming the roads of south and mid-Wales, Newport RFC were back at home, at Newport Stadium, for this SRC Cup fixture against the Quins. Newport have already beaten the Carmarthen side once at the Stadium this season, a tough 31-20 win at the back end of November. Quins played well on that occasion; Newport RFC would have to be on their toes to gain a second victory against our visitors.
Ashton Hewitt featured for the Black & Ambers again, following his try-scoring appearance in the hard-fought win at Aberavon last week. Other than that, the side looked fairly settled. The late withdrawal of the talismanic Josh Skinner had many supporters wondering how the pack would go without his raw-boned attitude. We would soon find out.
The city of Newport woke to a wet, cold February morning, but, by 2.30pm, the rain had passed, but a heavy, leaden sky kept things dim throughout the day. The pitch, in horse racing terms, was probably best described as good to firm.
Prior to kick-off, there was an impeccably observed minutes’ silence for two stalwarts of Black & Amber rugby that have recently passed on. Brian Scrivens and Alun Evans have both left an indelible stamp on our club. Newport RFC sends both men’s family and friends their sincere condolences.
Newport took to the field wearing their Monmouthshire blue change strip and lined up attacking the Cricket Club end of the ground. Jac Lloyd kicked off, and within moments, Tyler Olding was taking a lineout that ended with Ashton Hewitt joining the line at pace off his wing, powerfully driving into the Quins defence, but, in a subsequent move, the ball was fumbled and field position lost.
Carmarthen Quins opened the scoring on 6 minutes when wing Ifan Davies cantered across the try line. A fluid move by the visitors saw them progress neatly. Ball presentation at the ruck was clean and fast, and a few ineffective tackles gave the Quins an overlap on the left which was exploited ruthlessly. The conversion was missed, so the score was Newport 0 Quins 5.
Newport launched themselves again. A good break by Dai Richards had Luke Crane and Josh Reid in support. Sadly, the rapid movement into the Quins 22 stuttered as the defence streamed back. Tyler Olding and Joe Peard threw themselves into contact, but it looked ponderous. Thankfully, a penalty came Newport’s way. Jac Lloyd kicked to the corner, Ben Roach took the lineout ball and Luke Crane popped the ball inside to Ashton Hewitt. Barney Nightingale bludgeoned ahead, but a following move was penalised for a double movement, and another promising position went begging.
Ioan Davies made a super break from deep on 15 minutes, Dai Richards flying up in support, but the final pass to Ashton Hewitt was knocked forward.
Newport appeared to be dogged by handling errors, but the Quins were no better as Rhodri Lewis’ pass from the base of a ruck was slung into hooker Isaac Young’s backside, earning Newport a scrum in the process.
Newport evened the score on 26 minutes when Ashton Hewitt was released in the corner. A lineout in the Quins 22 was won, and the rolling maul set forward. Tom Workman burst from the melee, while Ollie Drake added some muscle to the follow up. Luke Crane went against the grain, going back left, leaving Ashton Hewitt to dash in at the corner to dot down. The conversion was missed, making the score 5-5.
Quins got their noses back ahead on the half hour with a lovely try by centre Gabe McDonald. Liam Lloyd kicked long out of defence for Newport as the Quins looked to play; accurate passing, a fumble by prop Connor Allen being deemed as going backwards, and McDonald ghosted through some loose tackles before sprinting in to score near the posts. Ifan Davies added the conversion to make the score Newport 5 Quins 12.
Running from deep was certainly making the Quins work hard, even if Newport couldn’t quite finish the moves off; Ashton Hewitt’s sprint had Josh Reid on hand, but exemplary work by Quins fullback Eilir George won his side a penalty in defence and the visitors could clear.
Dai Richards was in swashbuckling mood as his scintillating 36th minute break carried Newport deep into Quins territory. Josh Reid, unusually wearing a red scrum cap this afternoon, was omnipresent in attack, putting in the link pass to Ashton Hewitt. However, it wasn’t a simple jog in for the wingman, he had to muscle his way through cover to touch down out wide. Jac Lloyd added the conversion to equalise the scores at 12 points apiece.
A quick tap penalty, kicked long, paid off for Newport as Dai Richards gave chase and bundled the covering quins defender, Ifan Davies, into touch. With a lineout just 10-metres out, Ben Roach took the catch at the tail. The rolling maul quickly formed and was effective, rumbling forward and allowing Lewis David to claim the try. Jac Lloyd added the two-pointer to make it Newport 19 Quins 12 with 38 minutes played.
Jac Lloyd extended the lead in stoppage time following an Ashton Hewitt foray from deep. Tom Workman carried the move onward as Luke Crane looked for links. Jac Lloyd scruffily kicked the ball through the defensive line, gave chase, and touched down before clattering into the metal track equipment casing behind the in-goal area. He recovered his composure quickly enough to slot the conversion, making the score Newport 26 Quins 12 as Mr Jones blew for the break.
Half Time: Newport RFC 26 Carmarthen Quins RFC 12
Ollie Drake made way for Garin Harris at halftime as the Quins restarted the game. Some slack tackling allowed Gabe McDonald a clear route through the centre of the park, his fellow centre Jac Howells carrying the move forward. The Newport cover was soon back and organised as the Quins big forwards hammered away at their hosts. A terrific rip by Garin Harris soon put an end to that as Barney Nightingale punted long and Newport were able to breathe again.
Quins gained a 48th minute penalty, prompting Ellis Payne, the Quins 10, to go to the corner. The visitors rolling maul soon splintered under the weight of the Newport defence, but there was enough of a gap for second row Iestyn Wood to burrow through to bag a try. Ifan Davies added the conversion to make the score Newport 26 Quins 19.
Henry Palmer and Kyle Tayler relieved Tyler Olding and Josh Reid of duty on 53 minutes as Newport had an advantageous position, a lineout just a few metres out from the Quins line. Hard work by the Quins pack wrapped the ball up, however, and they were rewarded with a turnover of possession.
Newport seemed to struggle at times with the Quins midfield channel. More than once, a runner from deep would catch them cold, and a run by Ifan Davies had klaxons sounding in defence, as he sprinted into the Newport 22. Dai Richards and Ashton Hewitt were back to clear up, thankfully.
As the hour approached, Ty Morris almost emptied the bench to have an impact on the game. Jac Lloyd made way for Matt O’Brien, Dafydd Buckland took over from Luke Crane, Tom Workman bowed out for Archie Callaghan, whilst Iestyn Galton replaced Liam Lloyd on the wing.
Newport were in a spot of bother on the hour mark; Mr Jones had cause to speak to Joe Peard in the first half, so when a tackle situation erupted into a squabble, it was Joe that took the blame for it. He was invited to the naughty step for ten minutes to think about what he had done.
With 14 players, Newport were in no mood to sit back; growing in confidence, Matt O’Brien dictated play while Henry Palmer made serious inroads to the Quins defence. Barney Nightingale bounced defenders off him, but was judged to have been held up as he crossed near the posts on 63 minutes.
No matter, from the goal line drop out restart, Lewis David carried hard, Dafydd Buckland found Matt O’Brien and, typically Matt, he stepped left and passed right as Ashton Hewitt sliced through the position that he had just vacated to sprint in for his try hat-trick. Matt O’Brien added the two-pointer to make it Newport 33 Quins 19 on 64 minutes.
Despite that, Newport were in further bother on 68 minutes when Dai Richards earned himself a hard stare and a yellow card from Mr Jones. Louis Rees, the Quins replacement winger, made a powerful surge along the left wing. Newport scrambled back in defence. Ben Roach caught Ifan Davies’ arm as he tried to pass out, but the subsequent pass across the line was just too tempting for the Newport centre as he reached up for it. It was knocked forward, resulting in a penalty try for Carmarthen Quins, a yellow card for Richards, and Newport continuing with 13 players for at least 3 minutes. The score now was Newport 33 Quins 26.
Iwan Darke replaced the impressive Scott Davies, who was on the shortlist for Man of the Match, on 68 minutes as Newport looked to get Joe Peard back on the field without further damage.
Newport attacked, phase upon phase, Archie Callaghan and Henry Palmer providing the impetus. Dafydd Buckland drew a penalty as he was disrupted while at the base of a ruck. Henry Palmer trucked the quick penalty up, but the Quins had their eye on Matt O’Brien, pushing him wider and wider, bursting out in defence. His fabricated cat-flap pass was easily picked off by the Quins as they streaked up field. A cross-kick had Newport all ends up, but Iestyn Galton earned himself a beer by closing it down swiftly while Ashton Hewitt sought to run the ball back. The situation was released when Quins replacement Iestyn Richards clumsily high-tackled a Newport player and was penalised.
Dai Richards resumed his pace on the field on 79 minutes and made an immediate impact as the ball swept across field from a lineout. Richards strode onto Matt O’Brien’s pass and swept through the tiring Quins defence to score. Matt O’Brien added the conversion to make the score Newport 40 Quins 26.
The cherry on the Black & Amber cake came in stoppage time as a scruffy passage of play resulted in a try for captain Ben Roach. Iestyn Galton showed up well with his determination to win the ball and providing the pass to the marauding number 8 who sprinted across the line. Matt O’Brien added the conversion to make the score Newport 47 Quins 26.
Carmarthen Quins had a final thrust at the Newport line, but the scramble defence was spot on, and Dafydd Buckland kicked the ball clear along the right-hand touchline to bring the game to a close.
Full Time: Newport RFC 47 Carmarthen Quins RFC 26
Newport RFC are next in action on Thursday February 20th, when we travel up the Western Valley to face Ebbw Vale RFC in a Super Rygbi Cymru fixture. This game is to be shown live on S4C’s Clic YouTube channel. We’re back up to Eugene Cross Park a week later, on Saturday March 1st, in the SRC Cup competition. Newport are next at home on Friday March 14th, when we host Pontypool RFC here at Newport Stadium. This is bound to be a busy game, so it’s worth getting tickets in advance to avoid the queues on the night.
Onwards and upwards Newport.
Your City. Your Colours. Your Club
#cotp
Newport RFC Man of the Match; Josh Reid
Final Score – Newport RFC 47 Carmarthen Quins RFC 26