Bridgend RFC v Newport RFC – 1st November 2025 by John Evans
Newport looked to capitalise on their terrific home win against Ebbw Vale by taking that form on the road. The Brewery Field often presents challenges to the Black & Ambers, but it also presents opportunities; were our squad in the right frame of mind to take them?
Ty Morris and his coaching team made a few changes for this game, namely Jordan Morris and Liam Newstead in the propping berths, while Tiehi Chatham was given the nod at openside.
The conditions had improved through the morning. The squally showers that lashed Newport before lunch were replaced with a modicum of brightness, enough for the old grandstand to cast a shadow over the Brewery Field pitch.
Newport took to the field in their black shirts with amber trim and matching shorts, while Bridgend wore their traditional blue and white jerseys.
Jac Lloyd got the game underway with Newport attacking the “Town” end of the ground. The ball was unchallenged and bounced into touch. Bridgend kicked the ball long from the lineout towards Iestyn Galton, the winger looking to reply as best he could. A pass across to Carwyn Penny, onward to Jonny Morris who tried hard to hammer a path through the Bridgend defence. Matt O’Brien’s kick pinned Bridgend back in the corner.
The Ravens missed touch on 4 minutes, possibly purposefully. Galton and Penny combined once more, but the Bridgend raiders flew up and isolated Carwyn Penny, gaining a penalty. Bridgend outside half, Ben Burnell, kicked to 10-metres out before attempting to pull the strings in attack. Hooker Tyler Olding, formerly of this parish, and centre Fraser Jones had a charge at the line before Hunter Ward managed to step across the ruck legally and retrieve the ball for Newport.
Bridgend were unlucky not to score following some neat interpassing that certainly caught Newport napping but the referee, Mr Adam Jones, motioned that the ball had been knocked on in the act of scoring. However, the Ravens were rewarded with a try soon after; Newport’s goal line restart was received and moved around efficiently, allowing wing Ben Evans to race in for the game’s opening try. That made the score Bridgend 5 Newport 0 with just 9 minutes played.
Newport tried to respond, catching the hosts offside. Jac Lloyd fired the Black & Ambers into the corner, Ben Roach catching the lineout ball. Iestyn Galton made a dash for the line before Wade Langley added some directness to the situation, but Matt O’Brien’s grubber kick was dealt with well, and Bridgend were safe for now.
The hosts extended their lead on 16 minutes with a try for fullback Lloyd Wilkins, wearing jersey ‘25’ rather than the usual ’15’. Lewis Jones got a hand to a Newport lineout ball, setting his team off on an attack. Ben Burnell’s pass out was drifting, shall we say, but wing Ben Evans took advantage and went close. Efficient rucking and a simple pass from Burnell to Wilkins, and the fullback trotted across in the corner. That made the score Bridgend 10 Newport 0.
The Ravens were brimming with confidence when two of the back three managed to defend a situation coolly and calmly in the face of four black shirts, but it worked, and they handled the situation well.
The first scrum took place on 22 minutes. This was interesting as, aside from Tyler Olding, the front row also featured Nathan Evans, another formerly of this parish. And it was a temporary advantage to the hosts as the scrum slipped, and the Ravens gained a penalty. However, the penalty was poorly struck and went dead, resulting in a scrum at the same spot, but a Newport put in. The Black & Ambers punished that mistake excellently, Che Hope firing the ball out, a boom pass to Carwyn Penny who had Iestyn Galton looking for work outside him. A sprint and a pass onwards to Fin Baker, but the winger was hauled down just short of the line. Che Hope recycled the ball well, and it was left to Matt O’Brien to barge his way across the line to open Newport’s account for the afternoon. Jac Lloyd added the two-pointer to make it Bridgend 10 Newport 7 on 25 minutes.
Wade Langley made a vital win of possession in a tight situation which allowed Matt O’Brien to place a superb spiralling kick to the corner which qualified for a 50:22. Jordan Morris and Liam Newstead took turns at bulldozing their way to the Bridgend line, but it was their front row colleague Wade Langley that pulled the trigger, crashing over in the corner to score. This made the score Bridgend 10 Newport 12 with 30 minutes played.
Unfortunately, Nathan Evans was unable to continue, so his fascinating heavyweight duel with Jordan Morris would have to be continued on another occasion.
Ben Burnell’s restart went directly to Jonny Morris, whose directness of running caused Bridgend problems. A pop pass to Barney Langton-Cryer and, suddenly, the big second row was in acres of space. Striding forward, he chose the correct pass to Che Hope who injected raw speed into the move and found Fin Baker out wide to finish the move off. Jac Lloyd added the conversion to make it Bridgend 10 Newport 19.
Newport were pinged offside on 34 minutes, Bridgend going to the corner. Lewis Jones fumbled the lineout ball, gifting Newport possession. Carwyn Penny was brought into play as quickly as possible, making an arcing run, Jonny Morris was next doing miraculously to keep his feet and maintain balance under pressure before finding Iestyn Galton waiting to carry the move on. He, too, had support, Che Hope worked hard to get in position to score the try. The Black & Ambers had gained a try-scoring bonus point in just ten minutes leaving the Ravens supporters shell-shocked. Jac Lloyd added the conversion to make the score Bridgend 10 Newport 26 with 35 minutes played.
Newport were offside on 38 minutes, the hosts going to the corner again. Barney Langton-Cryer spoiled their plans before Carwyn Penny belted the ball long and pushed the hosts back to halfway.
Tyler Olding had a good opportunity to damage his old club on 40 minutes as Bridgend tried to take a quick lineout ball, but he could only fumble the ball harmlessly forward. A scrum followed, and Jac Lloyd jogged into touch with the ball, his team going down the tunnel with a genuinely positive lead.
Half Time: Bridgend RFC 10 Newport RFC 26
Ben Burnell restarted the game, kicking the ball directly to Che Hope who belted the ball to touch. Newport offended from the line out, and Bridgend got to work. Ben Burnell placed his team about 10-metres out. Lewis Jones provided the ammunition, Burnell dictated the play, Lloyd Wilkins bustled forward, scrumhalf Harvey Nash was smooth in linking the play. Ben Evans was closed down near the line before Ben Burnell was dumped on his backside by Liam Newstead, but Bridgend retained the ball, and the Newport defence were at 6s and 7s as Wilkins spread the ball for Ben Evans to gallop in to score. Centre Fraser Jones added the conversion to make it Bridgend 17 Newport 26 on 43 minutes.
The floodlights were switched on at 45 minutes to try and lift the gloom, actual not metaphorical, surrounding the Brewery Field, as the grey clouds threatened rain. Josh Skinner and Jonny Morris had both tried to make inroads into the Bridgend defence, but good work from their forwards held the ball up and earned the turnover. From a scrum in their own half, the Ravens earned their own try-scoring bonus point. A splendid flat pass from Ben Burnell released Fraser Jones whose weaving run proved difficult to stop. He drew his centre partner Joseph Gatt in, who then flashed across to score under the posts. Jones added the conversion to make the score Bridgend 24 Newport 26 on 47 minutes.
Game on.
Jordan Morris made way for Tom Devine, while Josh Skinner was relieved by Cerrig Smith.
Newport sought to crowbar the Bridgend defence open, Tiehi Chatham seizing a loose ball, but no gaps were forthcoming. Bridgend helped by straying offside. Newport kicked to the corner, but the chance fell flat when Jac Lloyd, while taking a dart at the line, was isolated and turned over.
Ioan Rhys Davies replaced Tiehi Chatham on 52 minutes, just as the rain began to fall.
Ben Burnell’s kick rolled into the Newport in-goal area, Fin Baker safely minoring the ball. Jac Lloyd’s goal line drop kick was received neatly by Bridgend as they looked to retake the lead. Fraser Jones’ kick ahead, thankfully for Newport, fooled everybody and bobbled harmlessly into touch.
Noah Morgan replaced Fin Baker on the hour, yet Bridgend were keeping Newport pinned into their own 22. The rain was getting heavier as Newport yielded another penalty. Bridgend went to the corner, but the Black & Ambers conceded again. Once more, Ben Burnell looked to the corner. Thankfully, Barney Langton-Cryer read the play and got a hand to the ball. Iestyn Galton took the ball forward, seemingly running around each member of the Bridgend pack in a 5-metre square area, some twice, before gaining ground and getting Newport away from trouble. A peach of a kick from Matt O’Brien sent the ball skidding along the Brewery Field’s wet surface, making the defence turn. Noah Morgan was there in a flash to ensure that they carried the ball over their own line and grounded it, giving Newport a precious attacking scrum, 5-metres out. Wade Langley’s work was done, Henry Palmer making his way off the bench to add fresh power to the attack. Che Hope passed the ball away from the scrum, but the pouring rain made conditions tricky. Matt O’Brien spilled the ball backwards, but Fraser Jones made a total hash of it. Iestyn Galton scooped it up and barrelled towards the line, being held up. Henry Palmer and Liam Newstead, who had a terrific game for Newport, were lining up to rumble at the line. Tom Devine had a dart but, as play edged closer to the posts, Che Hope cleverly used the post pads to his advantage and give himself half an inch of space to look and find Jonny Morris available. The simplest pass and take, and the centre glided over for a well-earned try. Jac Lloyd added the conversion to make it Bridgend 24 Newport 33 on 67 minutes.
Che Hope’s afternoon was over, Lucas Welch replacing him.
Bridgend’s attempt at a 50:22 was met by Jac Lloyd who promptly delivered one of his own to show the boys in blue and white how it was done. Lucas Welch spun the ball out to Matt O’Brien who then put in a trademark laser-guided cross-kick, straight into the hands of Noah Morgan who scampered across the line to score. Jac Lloyd added the two points, making it Bridgend 24 Newport 40 on 75 minutes.
Newport shipped a penalty direct from the restart. Bridgend went for the corner again. The lineout didn’t function correctly, but they got away with it. Phase upon phase of big fellas rained in on the Newport defence before replacement prop Jared Williams dotted down in the corner. This made the score Bridgend 29 Newport 40 on 78 minutes.
A massive 80+1 minute scrum destroyed the Bridgend pack and earned Newport a penalty. The lineout was lost in the corner, but the hosts were pegged onto their own try line deep into injury time. Bridgend desperately tried to create an opening to earn themselves an extra bonus point, but a double knock on was all Mr Jones needed to see to bring the match to a close.
The fact that the travelling Newport supporters were talking about the disappointment of the lost 6th point due to the last Bridgend try speaks volumes of the hard work our players have put in recently following our poor start to the season, and the way that they have risen expectations. Having high standards is a good thing, long may it continue.
Full Time: Bridgend RFC 29 Newport RFC 40
Newport Rugby now takes an enforced break for two weeks during the Autumn Internationals. We are next back in action on Friday November 21st, when our friends from Cardiff RFC visit us at our spiritual home of Rodney Parade in a Super Rygbi Cymru fixture. The following week, we are away, again on a Friday night, when we take a trip to the Park to visit Pontypool RFC. Both games against our nearest neighbours are always entertaining, and these should prove to be no different.
Onwards and upwards Newport.
Your City. Your Colours. Your Club
#cotp
Final Score – Bridgend RFC RFC 29 Newport RFC 40
Seren y Gem – Che Hope