Newport take their chances in defeating Pontypool in SRC Cup

Pontypool made the short trip to Newport Stadium on Friday to take on old rivals Newport in the final round-robin match in the Super Rygbi Cymru Cup, writes Ray Ruddick. This was Pooler’s first ever visit to Newport Stadium and they came up against a Newport side that capitalised on the Eastern Valley club’s mistakes as the home side ran out worthy winners.

Newport kicked off defending the road end of the ground on a fine and dry but chilly evening. The early exchanges were even and in the 13^th minute Pooler lost their loose head prop Sam Cochrane through a leg injury and he was replaced by George Tuckley. Midway through the first half Pontypool were penalised at a ruck on their 22 in midfield but the shot at goal was scuffed and the ball hardly got off the ground.

It was very much an arm wrestle for most of the first half as both sides seem to cancel each other out and it took until the 38^th minute for the deadlock was broken as Newport scored a well-worked try by outside half Jac Lloyd who touched down to the right of the posts and he duly converted (7-0). In the eighth minute of added time at the end of the first period the Black and Ambers struck again when wing Oli Andrew went over for a try, 5 metres in from the right corner. This score was converted by Jac Lloyd to make the half-time score Newport 14 Pontypool 0.

In the second minute of the second half Newport extended their lead when scrum half Che Hope intercepted a pass near the visitors’ 10-metre line and ran under the posts for a try with Jac Lloyd slotting the easy conversion (21-0), so Pooler now had a mountain to climb as some loose play either side of the break was punished by Newport. However, it wasn’t long before Pontypool got on the score sheet as three minutes later play was inside Newport’s 22 with Pontypool asking questions of the home defence. After several drives towards the Black and Ambers’ goal line, second row Dan Hill barged over for a try to the right of the posts. Outside half Kieran Meek converted (21-7). Pontypool then made three changes – Ieuan Jones replaced Dan Hill, Scott Matthews took over from captain and blind-side flanker Mike Herbert and open-side flanker Adam Stratton made way for Ryan Jones.

In the 54^th minute Pontypool were on the attack near Newport’s 22. The ball reached full back Walker Price and he broke through the middle to dive over for a try under the posts, which Kieran Meek converted (21-14). Three minutes later Pooler were penalised at a ruck near their 10-metre line in midfield but the shot at goal went wide. On the hour Pontypool made a couple more changes as Amosa Nove replaced Joel Mahoney at centre and Connor Chapman took over from Sam Scarfe in the middle of the front row. Three minutes later the Black and Ambers scored their bonus-point try when full back Carwyn Penny crossed in the right corner and Jac Lloyd slotted a fine conversion (28-14). Pontypool made two late replacements when Archie Lloyd took over from Morgan Lloyd at scrum half and tight head prop Kelvyn Williams made way for Harry Drane. In the 84^th minute Pontypool were penalised at a scrum on their 10-metre line, 20 metres in on Newport’s left and Jac Lloyd kicked the goal to take the home side more than 15 points clear, and therefore gained another bonus point. Final score – Newport 31 Pontypool 14.

Congratulations to Newport on their deserved victory and they finish in second place in Pool B with Pontypool third. Ebbw Vale won all four games and were pool winners. The Steelmen will play top of Pool A, Llandovery, in the final at Church Bank on Thursday 20 March. Pontypool now revert back to league action and their next match will be on Saturday 22 March when Carmarthen Quins will be the welcome visitors to Pontypool Park for a 2.30pm kick-off. Then on Sunday 30 March Pontypool will be in Newport again, but this time at Rodney Parade for the return league fixture, kick-off will be at 2.30pm. Pontypool won the first league encounter of the season at Pontypool Park back in October by 17 points to 14 so will be looking for a league double and, hopefully, learn from this cup defeat.

Newport: Carwyn Penny, Oli Andrew, Jonny Morris, Chay Foster-Smith (replaced by Iestyn Galton), Elliot Frewen (replaced by Lloyd Lewis), Jac Lloyd, Che Hope (replaced by Dafydd Buckland), Tom Workman (replaced by Nathan Evans), Henry Palmer (replaced by Tyler Olding), Garin Harris (replaced by Ollie Drake), Josh Skinner, Max Williams (replaced by Josh Reid), George Young, Rhys Jenkins (replaced by Kyle Tayler) and Ben Roach (captain).

Pontypool: Walker Price, Jordan Thomas, Marcus Jones, Joel Mahoney (replaced by Amosa Nove), Mathew Powell, Kieran Meek, Morgan Lloyd (replaced by Archie Lloyd), Sam Cochrane (replaced by George Tuckley), Sam Scarfe (replaced by Connor Chapman), Kelvyn Williams (replaced by Harry Drane), Buster Bodkin, Dan Hill (replaced by Ieuan Jones), Mike Herbert (captain, replaced by Scott Matthews), Adam Stratton (replaced by Ryan Jones) and Lewis Robey.