RGC 1404 v Newport RFC – 27th December 2025 by John Evans
Straight after Christmas and the travelling Black & Ambers were on the A49 and the A55 north to Colwyn Bay for a return visit to RGC. It seems that the days of us playing a club within a short trip from Newport over Christmas has gone. We must visit RGC at some point in the season, so let’s get on with it, eh?!
Ty Morris and his team selected a similar starting XV to the one that defeated RGC a week previously. Chay Foster- Smith moved back into midfield with Fin Baker starting on the wing. Barney Langton-Cryer joined us from Dragons RFC to step in for Callum Bradbury. Harrison James started at 10 with Lucas Welsh at 9. Jac Lloyd, back from injury, Carwyn Penny, and Dafydd Buckland would be effective ‘finishers’ off the bench, no doubt.
RGC are now coached by former Newport player Jon Callard, who, naturally, made some reference to his background in his program notes, remembering that he made his debut for our club alongside his PE teacher, Marc Batten.
The kick-off was at 5.15pm so that the S4C cameras could beam the action live to the nation. They were rewarded with a backdrop of a busy stadium, an announced crowd of 1,456, apparently “The Most Anticipated Game in North Wales”, and a never-say-die performance from the Black & Ambers.
Harrison James kicked off with Newport defending the ‘Town’ end of Stadiwm Eirias, RGC kicking directly back to touch. Josh Skinner caught the throw, Lucas Welsh spread the ball, Chay Foster-Smith broke the line before Harry Fry drove into contact. Harrison James’ chip was taken by Billy McBryde, the RGC 10, who did well to evade Harrison James’ follow-up run and make the ball available.
RGC were awarded a 3rd minute penalty, McBryde going to the corner. Barney Langton-Cryer got fingertips to the ball, but RGC flanker Dafydd Thirsk rescued the situation for the hosts. RGC went for the heavy, close phases and soon prop Patrick Nelson crossed for the opening score from close range. Billy McBryde kicked the conversion to make it RGC 7 Newport 0.
Newport looked to take advantage as RGC knocked on the restart kick. The hosts managed to disrupt the scrum; Lucas Welsh endeavoured to create something from the wheeling scrum, but a pass out to the wing was picked off by the lively Caio Parry, who looked a real threat in the reverse fixture last Saturday, and RGC could work clear.
The hosts continued to attack, Billy McBryde’s drop goal attempt being charged down by Barney Langton-Cryer. RGC kept possession, but a final pass out to captain Sam Williams was hurried and came to nought.
Newport were pressed into relentless defence as the home team came at them in waves. A pass to wing Sam Jones unpicked the good work done that far, but Morgan Williams floored him. Newport reorganised quickly, a pass out being picked off by Harri Ackerman. Lloyd Lewis and Morgan Williams tried to carry the Black & Ambers out of defence, but the referee, Mr Carwyn Sion, found fault and offered RGC a penalty which Billy McBryde slotted to make it RGC 10 Newport 0 with 14 minutes played.
Lloyd Lewis made sure that RGC didn’t get too far ahead in the scoring as he reached the restart first, juggled with it a little, before sprinting almost unopposed, swan-diving over for a try. The conversion was missed, so the score was RGC 10 Newport 5 on 15 minutes.
Billy McBryde added to RGC’s tally when Newport were pinged for not rolling away in a tackle, making it 13-5 on 17 minutes.
RGC appeared to be getting on top in the game, a short restart by Harrison James not really paying dividends, then RGC used the breeze well to pin Newport back into the corner. Newport pushed out of defence, but a poor pass between the hosts centres, Osian Llewellyn and Louis Williams, went to ground. Lloyd Lewis didn’t need asking twice, scooping the ball up and switching the turbochargers on, sprinting under the crossbar, making Harrison James’ conversion a formality. RGC 13 Newport 12 on 21 minutes.
A terrific turnover by Sam Williams earned RGC possession back, Billy McBryde kicking Newport to 5-metres out from their own line. It got worse when Mr. Sion spotted offside in the defence. RGC took the tap penalty, sending waves of big men at the Newport line until second row James Brown picked out Lucas Welsh and left the Newport scrum half little chance of stopping him. Billy McBryde kicked the conversion to make it RGC 20 Newport 12 on 26 minutes.
Newport responded well. They attacked hard from the restart, flowing forward before a pass to Hunter Ward saw the scrum-capped flanker cross the line. But Mr Sion disallowed the score, going back for a Newport penalty. From the lineout, Harrison James rectified scruffy ball, Ben Roach drove hard, Hunter Ward high-stepped his way to the line, but it was Henry Palmer’s last heave that got the ball across. Harrison James converted to make it RGC 20 Newport 19 with 28 minutes played.
Morgan Williams put Newport into the lead minutes later. Harrison James looked assured at 10, bossing the Newport backline, Harri Ackerman fed the ball as Morgan Williams hit the line at full stride to secure Newport a try scoring bonus point before the end of the first half. Harrison James added the two-pointer to put the Black & Ambers into the lead for the first time during the game.
That man Williams lead the charge from the restart, catching the ball and evading tacklers to get Newport back to halfway, drawing a penalty from RGC. Newport kicked for position, but a poorly guarded ruck led to prop Gareth Parry simply reaching across and destroying Newport’s approach work. Indeed, it may have even spurred his team into greater action as they attacked patiently, working up the field slowly but surely, until Caio Parry wrongfooted the defence, jinked his way forward and crossed for a try, to the acclaim of most of the crowd. Billy McBryde added the straightforward kick to make it RGC 27 Newport 26 at half time.
Half Time: RGC 27 Newport RFC 26
Billy McBryde restarted the game as the wind appeared to strengthen somewhat. Josh Reid spearheaded the charge out of defence, but the following kick for territory was out on the full, and Newport were back in their own half. Thankfully, RGC overthrew the lineout. Harrison James belted the ball between the 22s, before RGC kick returned. The swirling wind was proving troublesome to some, except Caio Parry who caught it, spotted his running line, catching the Newport defence napping. Fullback Dion Jones was alive to the opportunity and took Parry’s pass before skating in under the crossbar. Billy McBryde added the conversion to make it RGC 34 Newport 26 with 43 minutes played. Chay Foster-Smith was replaced by Jac Lloyd at this juncture.
Josh Reid was proving to be a physical handful for the home defence, having to make sure that there were at least two maroon and black jerseys looking out for him each time the play became tight. Newport went wide, but Fin Baker was tackled into touch. As hard as Josh Reid was working in attack, Garin Harris was doing the same in defence, getting through tackle after tackle.
Newport were awarded a freekick on 47 minutes and immediately went through the phases until a grubber kick by Jac Lloyd cannoned off Dion Jones’ shins. The rolling maul set before Lucas Welsh fired the ball out, with it, curiously, rolling around Harri Ackerman’s back and onto the floor. No knock-on, gestured Mr Sion. Dion Jones kicked clear, but Newport had a penalty coming. Jac Lloyd kicked to the corner and Henry Palmer appeared to be driven over the line, but Mr Sion judged that he had been held up, giving RGC a goal line restart. Newport attacked again but had acquired another penalty. Jac Lloyd went to the corner once more, Ben Roach jumped front at the lineout and Henry Palmer made sure this time. Harrison James added the conversion to make it RGC 34 Newport 33 on 55 minutes.
Hunter Ward broke three tackles running the ball back at the RGC defence giving Jac Lloyd the space to place a kick that went perfectly over the defending wingers head and bounce into touch in the RGC 22.
Lucas Welsh made way for Dafydd Buckland on 59 minutes, while the props changed on 65 minutes, Messrs Fry and Harris making way for Messrs Newstead and Drake.
RGC launched a 66th minute attack, but intelligent work from Ben Roach saw him win Newport a penalty with his precise timing at stepping across a ruck and demonstrating to Mr Sion that the ball was being held illegally. This aided Newport to launch an attack that partly ended when an RGC player knocked on trying to intercept. Fortunately for him, it was just outside the 22, otherwise the sanction could have been worse that simply a scrum to Newport.
Ioan Rhys Davies took over from Josh Reid, while Cerrig Smith took Josh Skinner’s place.
Newport were turning the screw, Jac Lloyd and Dafydd Buckland interpassing to break the RGC line, the home defence streaming back, but they conceded a penalty as the did so. Sensing a weakness in the defence, Henry Palmer tapped the penalty before the big Newport forwards setting about their opposite numbers. It was Ioan Rhys Davies who crossed near the posts to the acclaim of his teammates and near silence in the stands. Harrison James added the conversion to make it RGC 34 Newport 40 on 75 minutes. The challenge changed, from gaining the lead to holding onto it for at least 6 minutes.
Aneurin Jenkins replaced Henry Palmer as RGC tried in vain to retaliate, but they were much too loose to be effective, and the Newport defence simply mopped them up.
As added time arrived, Newport were camped on the hosts line, driving hard as RGC yielded yet another penalty. Sensibly, Ben Roach gestured at the posts, ensuring that a minute’s play would be killed and, possibly, it would put Newport two scores ahead. The kick was skewed, but the five league points were in the bag as Parc Eirias’ biggest crowd of the season left, mostly, quietly.
Full Time: RGC 34 Newport RFC 40
That’s the fixtures for 2025 completed but, of course, the season goes on. We host Carmarthen Quins at Newport Stadium on January 3rd before returning to Carmarthen Park for the second time this season on January 24th, this time in an SRC Cup fixture. It only remains to wish all Black & Ambers Blwyddyn Newydd Dda, a Happy New Year, and let’s look forward to more progress from the mighty Newport RFC in 2026.
Onwards and upwards Newport.
Your City. Your Colours. Your Club
#cotp
Final Score – RGC 34 Newport RFC 40
Seren y Gem – Hunter Ward