By Rhys Owain Jones
Newport narrowly edged out Carmarthen to earn their sixth win of the season and briefly return to the top of the Super Rygbi Cymru ladder.
The B&As came away 21-19 victors on a mild Friday night under the Carmarthen Park lights and in front of the S4C cameras.
The visitors opened the scoring with some relentless pressure in the Quins’ red zone. Joe Salter, starting at centre for the first time in Black and Amber, found a gap in the defensive line and dived over for his first try of the season.
It took Carmarthen 20 minutes to level the scores, with sustained pressure at the opposite end of the field eventually allowing Lewys Millin to cross the whitewash.
Only a few minutes later, Josh Skinner crossed for his first try of the season to restore Newport’s advantage and give the visitors a seven-point cushion at half-time.
HANNER AMSER: Quins 7-14 B&As
Halfway through the second half, the hosts levelled the scores again through Lewis Morgan before Gethyn Cannon made it a début to remember, coming off the bench to score the Black and Ambers’ third try of the evening.
Llew O’Brien, also making his début for the club in the coveted number 10 jersey, comfortably converted each of the evening’s three tries.
With 10 minutes to go and Carmarthen firmly in Newport’s twenty-two, the hosts turned pressure into points. The ball was spread out wide to Thomas Williams who took his chance and touched down deep on the left wing.
Young Scarlets outside-half Madoc Evans, who had been clinical with the boot on his previous attempts at goal, failed to make it three from three with the extras, meaning a single conversion ultimately proved the difference between the two sides.
SGÔR TERFYNOL: Quins 19-21 B&As
SEREN Y GÊM: Fin Baker
The B&As sit at the summit of the SRC table tonight, albeit briefly, with Cardiff and Ebbw Vale meeting at the Arms Park on Saturday for the chance to take that honour.
The autumn internationals take centre stage over the coming weeks, meaning Newport have a week off training to rest and recuperate.
They’ll regroup the following week to begin preparations for the next block of fixtures, which begins on Saturday 21 November when they welcome Swansea to Newport Stadium.
With plenty of activity on and off the field leading up to the new year, what a time to get behind…
Your CITY,
Your COLOURS,
Your CLUB.
Ymlaen Casnewydd! Come on the ‘Port!