Swansea RFC v Newport RFC – 1st February 2025 by John Evans
Newport began their cup campaign for the season with a tricky visit to Swansea RFC. St. Helen’s isn’t a happy hunting ground for Newport, often coming unstuck at the famous old stadium. In fact, it was Newport’s second visit there this season, sneaking away with a close 27-35 win on September 21st in a Super Rygbi Cymru game.
Ty Morris rotated the squad heavily for this fixture, giving some players a rare first team start, while regulars were to come off the bench as impact replacements. Matt O’Brien was back from his day job with Dragons RFC to start at 10, also captaining the side for the day, while Josh Reid stood in at number 8 for club captain Ben Roach, who would join the party later.
There was a change in the advertised referee, as Ben Brakespear was replaced by Craig Evans in the middle of the pitch.
Swansea kicked off, with outside half Harri Williams going long, almost direct to Matt O’Brien. The kick was returned, with interest, giving Swansea the chance to set up a ruck. They did so, but the kick to Carwyn Penny allowed the full back the chance to run at the home defence. With a jink, and a deft pass to Elliot Frewen, Swansea were forced to stream back in defence. Luke Crane was quickly on the scene, passing out to Josh Reid, who popped the ball on to Barney Nightingale who bustled over to score with just 64 seconds on the clock. Matt O’Brien’s drop-goal conversion must have scuffed the crossbar paintwork as it staggered over, but they all count. Swansea 0 Newport 7 with 2 minutes on the clock.
Newport were being pressurised on 10 minutes as Swansea battered forward, but the Whites were struggling to actually break the Newport line. A kick ahead was gathered by Elliot Frewen, but he was snared by his opposite number, Ieuan Cornelius. Swansea second row Matt Dodd was on hand to rip the ball away, but Newport regrouped strongly around their downed mate leaving the Whites short on ideas in attack. A cross-kick by Iwan Temblett was too long. Swansea tried to relaunch their attack, but a careless side entry at a ruck undid all their good work and freed Newport to clear the ball.
With an injury to his shoulder, Joe Peard was replaced by Josh Skinner on 13 minutes, and he was immediately in action as he paired with Tyler Olding in a dynamic rolling maul. Swansea flanker, and captain, Callum Bowden went off his feet at the ruck giving Matt O’Brien the chance to kick to the corner. Max Williams took the lineout ball, but the scruffy rolling maul managed to suck Luke Crane into its orbit. Matt O’Brien moved up to 9, briefly, releasing Barney Nightingale to slam into contact. Scott Davies carried on the move before Matt O’Brien spotted space to the left. Lewis David went close, but Barney Nightingale was on the spot to pick up and dive over for his second try of the game, making the score Swansea 0 Newport 12 on 16 minutes.
A powerful rolling maul splintered the Swansea defence, Luke Crane breaking blind with Matt O’Brien and Liam Lloyd in support. Liam Lloyd was tackled, but Luke Crane repeated his break right, chipping ahead before the ball bounced agonisingly away from his grasp. However, Swansea had infringed, so Newport went to the corner. Scott Davies took the ball at the tail, Newport going through their phases before Josh Reid blasted a hole through the tacklers to score near the posts. Matt O’Brien added the conversion to make it Swansea 0 Newport 19 with as many minutes played.
Newport were off their feet at a ruck, giving Swansea a chance to go to the corner. The Whites kept the ball well, but didn’t really progress. However, Newport strayed offside in defence giving the hosts another opportunity to set up at a lineout. Their rolling maul was solid, and hooker Jamie Cox was the beneficiary of a strong drive toward the tryline. Harri Williams added the conversion to make it Swansea 7 Newport 19 with 23 minutes on the clock.
A well-worked restart gave Newport possession almost from the kick off as Liam Lloyd followed up the kick excellently. Swansea briefly turned over possession before kicking it away to Carwyn Penny. The blond-headed full back picked his run, passed out to Matt O’Brien before launching a spell of bewildering rugby, runners coming from all angles. Josh Skinner and Lewis David were willing workhorses, Barney Nightingale blew holes in the defensive line, Iestyn Galton finally released Elliot Frewen as the rapier replaced the broadsword, the flying winger sprinting in at the corner, rounding the angle to cross nearer the posts. Matt O’Brien did his thing again, making the score Swansea 7 Newport 26 with 26 minutes played.
Matt O’Brien deliberately kept the pace of the game high, the tempo being noticeable. Tyler Olding did well to get across the tackled player and earn a penalty. From the resulting lineout, it was the same array of runners coming from all angles, but the ball was spilled. However, with an advantage being played, Newport went to the corner again. This time, it was kept tight, the rolling maul being used as the weapon of choice. It lumbered forward, crossing the line, but Matt Dodd was guilty of dragging the maul down. Mr Evans had no hesitation in running under the crossbar and awarding a penalty try, whilst brandishing a yellow card at Dodd. This made the score Swansea 7 Newport 33 with 33 minutes played.
Newport infringed again, prompting Swansea to go to the corner. Joe Greaves, the Whites 6, took the lineout ball, but they couldn’t really progress. Harri Williams was guilty of overplaying the cross-kick as Carwyn Penny was in position, almost expecting it. Mr Evans found Newport at fault again, and Swansea set up another lineout drive. The home forwards were all too upright in the maul, so they were easily contained, but Mr Evans wasn’t happy with the visitors defending and pointed the finger at Lewis David, who was invited to the naughty step for ten minutes. Yet another lineout from a penalty, and this time, Jamie Cox was the beneficiary again as a steady rolling maul got close enough to the Newport line for the hooker to claim the try. Harri Wiliams missed the conversion making the score Swansea 12 Newport 33 with 38 minutes played.
Max Williams was replaced by Ben Roach at this point, effectively leaving Newport with a pack consisting of three front rowers and five back row forwards.
Harry Fry won a penalty for Newport with good work over the tackled player in stoppage time, but for little return as most players appeared to misread Matt O’Brien’s quick penalty attempt. Swansea kept possession, but the Black & Amber Wall was thrown up on the halfway line, and they would not pass.
Half Time: Swansea RFC 12 Newport RFC 33
Matt O’Brien restarted, Newport attacking the “Town” end of St. Helens in this half. Josh Reid brushed fingers on a Swansea lineout ball, winning possession. Liam Lloyd kicked ahead, home wing Ieuan Cornelius covering back, but he was caught behind his tryline. With a scrum, 5-metres out, to Newport, the Black & Ambers looked to increase their lead. Josh Skinner had a lunge forward, but Carwyn Penny’s attempt was foiled as the Whites defence got under the ball and held it up. Matt O’Brien controlled Swansea’s goal line drop out, Newport moving the ball around, but it was spilled going forward. Luckily, Newport were playing with an advantage. Ben Roach took the lineout ball; Luke Crane passed a bullet direct to Barney Nightingale who swatted off some ineffective tackling to claim his third try of the afternoon. Matt O’Brien added the two-pointer to make it Swansea 12 Newport 40 on 49 minutes.
Ollie Drake and Josh Reynolds replaced Garin Harris and Harry Fry at this juncture, moments before a try by home full back Iwan Glynn. It was a lovely, simple try, well executed by the home backs. A simple pick up by number 8, Cai Davies, out to Harri Williams, with Iwan Glynn at the right angle, at top speed, and he was through, virtually untouched. Harri Williams was unable to give the polish that the try deserved, so it was now Swansea 17 Newport 40 with 51 minutes played.
Matt O’Brien varied his restarts again, a grubber, barely going ten metres, with Josh Reid in hot pursuit, gave Newport the ball in the Swansea half. Unfortunately, a late, cheap shot by Ben Roberts on Matt O’Brien only earned a finger-wagging talk from Mr Evans. O’Brien kept the tempo high, passing the quick tap right. Iestyn Galton brought Liam Lloyd on a scissors move, but the White shirts flooded the defensive area. Luke Crane was there to keep going, but rather snatched at the ball on the floor and the chance was gone.
Henry Palmer replaced Tyler Olding on 57 minutes, just as Newport worked the ball forward again. Splendid work by Carwyn Penny, passing the ball out of contact, kept the move going. Iestyn Galton ploughed forward finding centre partner Barney Nightingale, going for try number 4, but Mr Evans judged that he had knocked on in the act of scoring, so no try.
A powerful 61st minute scrum had the Swansea pack on the back foot. The ball worked its way back to Matt O’Brien, deftly chipping into unguarded territory for Elliot Frewen to hunt down. Geraint Powell, on as a replacement for Swansea, had other ideas, however. He clumsily blocked the Flying Frewen, earning himself a ten-minute sit down in the process. Newport selected the scrum option at the penalty, and the shove was huge. With another penalty coming, it was only going to end one way. Packing down again, the Whites pack was heaved backwards, Ben Roach controlling the ball well at his feet before gathering to score under the crossbar. During all this mayhem, Jac Lloyd had replaced Matt O’Brien, Dafydd Buckland came on for Luke Crane, whilst Iwan Johnes relieved Barney Nightingale of duty.
Newport were penalised in front of their posts, Swansea kicking straight to touch. Josh Skinner disrupted the lineout, but it was Ben Roach who came away from the maul with the ball clamped to his chest. Iwan Johnes broke out of defence, but he was isolated.
Swansea seemed ponderous in attack, with no real threats other than the rolling maul, which was very good, to be fair. They tried to utilise it again on 70 minutes, but Joe Greaves was held up over the line. Jac Lloyd’s goal line drop out went directly to touch, so the laws say that the opposition are awarded a line out, 5-metres out. The Whites’ rolling maul was quickly sacked, but Swansea couldn’t penetrate. Mr Evans was tiring of Newport’s boundary pushing, and it was an early bath for Josh Skinner as he was shown a yellow card. With another penalty coming, Swansea went to their strength and executed the lineout well, Ben Roberts taking the ball, before Jamie Cox burrowed through for his third try of the game. Harri Williams added the conversion to make the score Swansea 24 Newport 47 on 76 minutes.
With play stagnating on halfway, it was down to dependable Ben Roach to make the difference. He broke from the maul, head back, ball always available, and sprinted up to the Swansea 22-metre line. The Black & Ambers were quickly up in support, Dafydd Buckland picking runners, before it was popped up to Lewis David to cap a Man of the Match performance with a try. The conversion was missed, but the game ended with little stoppage time being played.
Full Time: Swansea RFC 24 Newport RFC 52
Newport RFC are next in action on Friday February 7th, when the Black & Ambers visit Aberavon to replay the fixture that was abandoned in torrential rain on September 26th last year. Newport are back at home, at Newport Stadium, on Saturday February 15th, when Carmarthen Quins visit us once more, this time in the Cup competition. Following these games, Newport have a tough assignment with two consecutive visits to Eugene Cross Park to take on Ebbw Vale. The first visit is on Thursday February 20th, when they play in a Super Rygbi Cymru fixture broadcast live for S4C on their Clic YouTube channel. Then, on Saturday March 1st, they play again, this time in the Super Rygbi Cup.
Onwards and upwards Newport.
Your City. Your Colours. Your Club
#cotp
Newport RFC Man of the Match; Lewis David
Final Score – Swansea RFC 24 Newport RFC 52