Jones: The best team won

Leighton Jones admitted Newport were worthy winners in the festive Gwent derby as Pooler struggled to execute their game plan.

Pooler welcomed the Black and Ambers to Pontypool Park for the first time in more than a decade looking to show much progress they had made since their opening-day clash with them, which ended in defeat despite an impressing performance at Rodney Parade.

However, Newport came out of the blocks early with Matt O’Brien and Jon Morris touching down early on.

Pat Lewis and Scott Matthews hauled Pooler back into the game, either side of an O’Brien penalty, but the visitors were clinical with their chances as Che Hope, Harri Ackerman, Oli Andrew and Morris guided them to victory.

Debutant Dan Hill marked his Pooler debut with a try with Matthew Jarvis booting two conversions but it proved too little too late as Newport took the spoils, ending Pontypool’s long unbeaten run at home in the process.

Jones was left frustrated as Pooler mistakes were often punished by Newport and while the sharpness of the squad may not have been at its highest due to a three-week break, the head coach refused to blame that on the result.

“We only played in patches and didn’t execute the game plan we came with,” said Jones.

“Newport caught us sleeping with a few of their tries so it’s disappointing but the best team won on the day.

“We switched off at times.

“We knew we had to be on the money with OB and his kicking game and the threats Newport have out wide and I think we kicked a bit loose and weren’t urgent enough in the defensive line.

“We just didn’t react quick enough when they were on the counter attack from our kicking game and if you don’t react you are going to get punished.

“You could say we haven’t had the game time but then we did have a lot of boys carrying niggles and knocks so that rest has done them good but it has taken us from that regular rugby.

“We can’t have any excuses, Newport were the better team and they deserved their win.

“There is a lot we can learn.

“There were some disappointing areas and there’s a lot of frustration because some of the stuff we did out there is not how we trained and thought we could have exposed them.

“It’s frustrating that things didn’t go right but, as always, we will do some analysis on where we let ourselves and the fans down and we’ll put that right next week.”

The positive thing on the day was the crowd as every corner of the ground was full with supporters in fine voice for both sides, showcasing the love of the game in Gwent.

Jones added: “I’m not too sure on the figures but the stand was heaving, the bank was heaving and it was packed around the ring.

“That is the kind of support and passion that the town and community has for the club and it’s just disappointing that we couldn’t execute the right game plan to give them a bit more to cheer about.”