Swansea RFC v Newport RFC – 2nd October 2025 by John Evans
The historic old ground at St. Helen’s will be having some major work in the next few months, so Swansea RFC have taken the decision to up sticks and join up with city neighbours Dunvant RFC at their Broadacre ground for the season.
Last Saturday’s result wasn’t what anybody at Newport RFC wanted, but here was a rare opportunity to kick-start the 2025-2026 Super Rygbi Cymru season against the team that beat us last; October is far too early in the season to be doubled by anybody!
Ty Morris and his coaching staff must have wracked their collective brains trying to get the combinations right for this game. The late withdrawal of Jordan Morris by his parent club wouldn’t have helped, but Tom Workman is no slouch up front, so no worries there. The selection of Morgan Burgess in the second row suggested a fast, open game was in the offing. Tiger Chatham and Cerrig Smith, alongside Josh Reid in the back row, would be interesting. Dafydd Buckland was named as captain.
Newport RFC’s first game at Broadacre was the opening day of the 1993-1994 Heineken League season, when the Black & Ambers were, somewhat predictably, draw to Dunvant away, against a newly promoted team that were determined to stamp their mark on the division. It didn’t end well for Newport.
Dafydd Buckland led the Black & Ambers out into a steady pour of wind-driven rain at Broadacre. Jac Lloyd kicked off, with Swansea returning the kick to the halfway line.
Swansea were soon on the attack, with props Daf Davies and Ed Thompson making lunges at the Newport defence, but the referee, Mr Ben Whitehouse, found fault with Newport’s defensive effort. The Whites went for the corner, but the lineout wasn’t straight, and Jac Lloyd put in an effective clearing kick.
Newport displayed their scrum power on 5 minutes, marching Swansea backwards, but, again, Mr Whitehouse had something to say. Swansea went to the corner again. Their rolling maul was dynamic and, just as it stagnated, number 8 Jacob Hopkins broke away to score. Josh Phillips, playing at 10 for The Whites added the conversion to make it Swansea 7 Newport 0 with just 6 minutes played.
Swansea centre Joe Thomas spilled the restart, giving Newport an instant opportunity to respond. The scrum went well, but the ball couldn’t be carried over the gain line easily, despite plenty of willing runners, until the home defence pressurised Newport into a mistake.
The difference in confidence levels was apparent as the Whites backs were able to play almost at will, while Newport slipped off tackles and left room for the hosts. Another penalty conceded, and Josh Phillips gestured at the sticks to make it Swansea 10 Newport 0 with 18 minutes on the clock.
The Whites backs were able to pick out and isolate players far too easily, a kick through to Carwyn Penny would have spelled disaster with a lesser player at 15, but he managed to elude the attackers and retain the ball long enough for the cavalry to arrive.
Newport eventually won their first scrum penalty on 26 minutes. Cerrig Smith won the lineout ball, Henry Palmer burst, Tom Workman carried the move on before a cross-kick to Finn Smith spread the play. Newport gained another penalty. Josh Skinner took the lineout catch, Henry Palmer latched on to expect the maul drive, but Mr Whitehouse intervened. Newport really weren’t helping themselves here.
Newport were working hard, but it wasn’t effective enough. Tiger Chatham and Josh Reid made carries, but to no real gain, and a pass out to Josh Skinner was symptomatic as Newport yielded possession again.
A mystery Swansea had hauled Dafydd Buckland back into a maul. With a penalty coming, Newport played. A Matt O’Brien cross-kick was hacked ahead by Dai Richards, but the Swansea back three were there to cover. Mr Whitehouse went back to the penalty call, Newport going for the corner again. Josh Skinner went high, popped the ball down to Morgan Burgess for a split-pod move, but it was poorly executed, and Mr Whitehouse penalised Newport once more.
The Black & Ambers made their best fist of an attack, so far, on 36 minutes, when Swansea infringed on the deck. From the lineout, Newport went wide, Tom Workman, Josh Skinner, and Dai Richards all carrying hard, but with nobody able to punch through, Carwyn Penny was tackled into touch by a pumped-up Swansea defence.
A last attack of the half, Jac Lloyd controlling matters. He placed at neat kick through the defensive line and was tackled after the ball had gone. Mr Whitehouse shook his head and waved play on as the Whites booted the ball to touch for halftime.
Half Time: Swansea RFC 10 Newport RFC 0
The management team mad one subtle change at halftime, Jonny Morris replacing Matt O’Brien. It was hoped that Jonny’s direct running would help create some chaos in the Swansea defence which, so far, had been suffocating.
Indeed, Newport looked much improved initially. Jonny Morris and Dai Richards combined, gaining a penalty for Newport as the wind picked up and the rain became heavier.
More vigour was coming from Newport, Josh Skinner bashing into challenges, Jonny Morris skating clear. Dafydd Buckland had made the run alongside him, but Swansea flanker Ethan Fackrell tracked the run cleverly and intercepted the pass. However, Swansea then made a hash of clearing the ball and coughed up an attacking scrum to Newport. The front row of Tom Workman, Henry Palmer, and Garin Harris switched on and heaved the Whites pack backwards, making it a straightforward touchdown for Cerrig Smith on the occasion of his 18th birthday. Jac Lloyd added the two-pointer to make it Swansea 10 Newport 7 on 47 minutes.
Second row Ben Roberts strode through the Newport line with menace on 49 minutes, being subtly ankle-tapped on the way, but Swansea let themselves down by infringing at the ruck.
Newport were beginning to find a rhythm to their attacks. Swansea were offside leading to a penalty, kicked to 10-metres out on the Broadacre stand side. The lineout was won, and a solid rolling maul was inching forward before it collapsed. Mr Whitehouse singled out prop Daf Davies as the culprit, sending him to the naughty step to think about what he had done. Oddly, that decision usually leads to a penalty try, but not today. The resulting scrum turned in on itself as replacement prop Tom Crockett scrummaged at all sorts of angles. Newport, unfortunately, were their own worst enemies and Swansea escaped undamaged.
Callum Bradbury replaced Morgan Burgess, while Ioan Rhys Davies came on for Josh Reid.
A Dai Richards chip ahead was caught by himself as he sprinted on. Dafydd Buckland was in support. Tom Workman hit up a phase, Finn Baker was rolled into touch, but Swansea had shipped a penalty, Newport going back for that. Callum Bradbury took the lineout, Henry Palmer charging close, Dafydd Buckland closer, but Dai Richards wriggled across to put Newport into the lead for the first time that evening. Jac Lloyd added the conversion to make it Swansea 10 Newport 14 on 68 minutes.
Newport spilled the restart as Swansea set about attacking Newport. Newport infringed, but with no advantage coming, the Whites went to the corner. Ben Roberts took the lineout catch and a good rolling maul saw Ethan Fackrell claim the try. Josh Phillips added the conversion to make it Swansea 17 Newport 14.
The Black & Ambers attacked with real intent. Dafydd Buckland kicked ahead, Newport retrieving the ball. Josh Skinner surged ahead as the ball went through the hands nicely, but a moments inattention and the ball was spilled forward, and Swansea were off the hook.
During the dying seconds of the game, when Newport were tying to attack from all angles, Carwyn Penny began a run from deep inside his own 22. Discipline was maintained as they progressed painfully slowly, but the ball stayed alive. Jac Lloyd attempted to thread a kick through, but it simply cannoned off a Swansea leg and into the path of prop Rhodri King who may never score an easier try for as long as he plays the game of rugby. Josh Phillips added the conversion to ensure that Newport finished a game with no points for the first time in several seasons.
Full Time: Swansea RFC 24 Newport RFC 14
Newport RFC’s next game is at Carmarthen Quins on October 18th. Please note that there is engineering works on the railway that day, and Rail Replacement buses operate between Swansea and Carmarthen on that day.
Our next home game is on Saturday October 25th when Ebbw Vale visit us. Games against our friends from the top of the valley are always interesting, and this should prove no different.
Onwards and upwards Newport.
Your City. Your Colours. Your Club
#cotp
Final Score – Swansea RFC 24 Newport RFC 14
Seren y Gem – Tom Workman