Carmarthen Quins RFC v Newport RFC – 19th April 2025 by John Evans
With the end of the regular season upon us, it was becoming clear what Newport RFC needed to happen to secure as advantageous a place as possible in the Super Rygbi Cymru play-offs. The terrific victory against Ebbw Vale bumped Newport up to 3rd in the league, but Llandovery had the ability to overtake the Black & Ambers, meaning Newport would have to match what they did, against the Quins. Luckily, The Drovers conspired to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory against a determined Bridgend side who managed an injury time try and conversion to win.
Newport were showing signs of a long season, with a few significant absentees, primarily amongst the pack. Josh Skinner was, we understand, given the weekend off as his partner has presented him with a beautiful baby, so huge congratulations to all three of them! Henry Palmer took a knock against RGC and was still unavailable, while Nathan Evans was only fit enough to cover the bench, Tom Devine taking his starting place. Aneurin Jenkins was drafted in to cover the bench. It was good to see Iestyn Galton getting another start; his confidence seems to be sky-high at the moment, and he has the ability to back that confidence up.
The City of Newport woke to a soggy start, heavy spring drizzle soaking everything. Thankfully, the weather was clearing from the west, so the deeper into Wales one journeyed, the better the conditions. By kick-off, Carmarthen was a dry, slightly cloudy venue, still cool in the breeze, but perfectly acceptable for a game of rugby.
Jac Lloyd started the game, kicking to the Quins pack. Flanker Keanu Evans and prop, and captain, Rhys Fawcett set up rucks but scrum half Luca Setaro’s kick was vertical. Prop Ifan James was caught offside, prompting Jac Lloyd to put Newport in the corner. Ben Roach stretched for the lineout catch, Newport scrum half Logan Franklin and Iestyn Galton combined, but with an advantage coming, allowed play to halt. Jac Lloyd, alert to the possibilities, tapped quickly, jinked through the Quins cover and touched down, almost before half of the home pack had cottoned on to what was happening. He converted his own try, and Newport were 0-7 ahead with just 2 minutes played.
Carmarthen Quins responded instantly. The home pack were going backwards, but they managed to play the ball from the base of the scrum. Centre Jac Howells picked a fabulous angle, evading all defenders, and scoring under the crossbar. Outside half Elis Payne equalised the scores at 7-7 with just 4 minutes played.
Ben Roach made a nuisance of himself at the lineout, pinching the ball. Newport drove forward, Max Williams doing well to retain possession under heavy opposition, but Quins edged offside. Jac Lloyd placed his pack in the corner again, Logan Franklin moving it on. A terrific pop pass by Garin Harris to Tom Devine camped Newport on the try-line, but Max Williams rode a heavy tackle to get his long frame over the line to score. Jac Lloyd added the two-pointer to make it Quins 7 Newport 14 with 9 minutes played.
Carmarthen Quins had a good sequence as they kept ball well but lacked penetration. Elis Payne had a nice range of passes, but this was a warning what Newport could expect if they lost their concentration.
Jac Lloyd gained a handy 50:22 on 13 minutes, but, somehow, home hooker Sion Jones managed to wrap himself around the ball and repel the Black & Amber attack.
It didn’t last long, though. A loose lineout was palmed back, and Tyler Olding was first on the scene. Jonny Morris exploited a dogleg in the Quins defence, Iestyn Galton went close, but the hosts infringed. Newport went to the corner once more. Ben Roach claimed the lineout, but Newport instantly switched the focus of the attack, and Josh Reid was bundled over for Newport’s third try. Jac Lloyd did the business once more making it Quins 7 Newport 21 with 19 minutes played.
The game opened up a little as Newport fumbled the ball backwards. Jac Lloyd missed the pickup in the Newport 22 but, thankfully, the Quins pursuer overran the ball too. Quins tried to make ground from the ensuing scrum, but the Black & Amber defensive curtain was up to the task, forcing prop Ifan James to knock on. Newport tried to work the ball away swiftly, but Quins wing Callum Woolley did very well under pressure to take the aerial ball.
Quins couldn’t find the right key to the Newport lock and only made advances when the visitors coughed up penalties. They got themselves within metres of the Newport line, but an outstanding defensive set would have had the Newport management team purring. With the ball back in Black & Amber hands, Jonny Morris ran the ball from his own line, being caught on the Newport 22, but Quins second row Lee Taylor couldn’t resist the temptation to edge around the ruck. Newport injected speed into the move, Jac Lloyd tapping to Carwyn Penny, before Lloyd Lewis got involved, but the Quins streamed back in defence, a defending hand knocking the ball backwards as Lloyd Lewis passed infield halting the move.
The Quins lineout hadn’t tightened up enough, and Tyler Olding benefitted, charging 10-metres with 3 defenders dragging him down. Logan Franklin popped the ball on, Lewis David carried hard before the ball moved right to Lloyd Lewis, skipping past tackles before passing infield to Ben Roach to stride in for Newport’s bonus point try. Jac Lloyd improved the score, making it Quins 7 Newport 28 on 33 minutes.
Chay Foster-Smith intercepted a pass before booting ahead. Jac Howells was back to cover, Lloyd Lewis reaching him in a flash, but the Quins hung on to clear. However, at the following line out, Tyler Olding peeled around the lineout before passing back inside to Lloyd Lewis, flying off his wing, carving a line to his destination, under the crossbar. Jac Lloyd rounded the half off with another successful kick at goal, making it Quins 7 Newport 35.
Half Time: Carmarthen Quins RFC 7 Newport RFC 35
Elis Payne restarted proceedings, but Newport conceded a penalty straight away. Quins went to the corner, and a series of drivers from the Quins heavy gang got them within a whisker of the Newport try-line. Sion Jones went close, but Rhys Fawcett finished the job off. The conversion was scored, so the score now read Quins 14 Newport 35 with 42 minutes played.
Quins clearly had a flea in their ear at halftime. They were playing with a determination that had been missing during the first half. They kicked long, the ball bouncing off the corner flag into the in-goal area, forcing Carwyn Penny to minor the ball and take the goal-line drop-out. Elis Payne ran back at Newport, Lee Taylor loped forward in attack, but Iestyn Galton did well to get across him and claim a relieving penalty for the Black & Ambers.
However, the red, black, and yellow renaissance didn’t last long. Rhys Jenkins biffed the ball up the middle of the park, Lewis David did well to retain possession and go forward, but Max Williams was around to carry on the move and claim his second try. Jac Lloyd was on target again, making the score Quins 14 Newport 42 with 47 minutes played. Unfortunately, the hosts full back Eilir George appeared quite badly injured during the defence of that try. He required the stretcher off the field as the game was stopped for over 4 minutes. All at Newport RFC send the young man their best wishes and hope he has a speedy recovery.
During the stoppage, Newport took the opportunity to make changes; Logan Franklin, Lloyd Lewis, Garin Harris, and Tom Devine were replaced by Dafydd Buckland, Elliot Frewen, Nathan Evans, and Harry Fry respectively.
From a Quins scrum in their own 22, number 8 Lewys Millin tried to run out of defence. However, a solid hit, and Josh Reid relieved him of the ball. Newport tried to counter-attack, being pushed backwards slowly, but it came to an end when the ball rolled over Nathan Evans’ shoulder and Quins were off the hook.
Iwan Johnes replaced Chay Foster-Smith, while Scott Davies came on for Rhys Jenkins around the hour mark.
The game seemed to have gathered a distinct ‘end of season knockabout’ feel. With the game effectively over as a competition, focus seemed to be lost on both sides. The hosts seemed less willing to put the big tackles in, but Newport weren’t able to finish those opportunities off.
Aneurin Jenkins replaced Tyler Olding on 66 minutes, but the collectors item came on 69 minutes when Ben Roach left the field for Kyle Tayler.
Just as the play seemed to congeal within the middle third of the field, a tremendous spark appeared to reignite the game. Aneurin Jenkins manufactured a pass out to Jac Lloyd. His scan for options revealed a cross-kick to Iestyn Galton would be best. With three defenders closing in on him, Iestyn Galton found the perfect solution as Jonny Morris steamed up in support. The pass into the centre’s midriff was spot on, and the way was clear for another Newport try. Jac Lloyd kept up his perfect kicking performance making the score Quins 14 Newport 49 with 77 minutes on the clock.
Quins earned themselves a consolation score in stoppage time as a series of drives saw prop Connor Allen add his name to the score sheet, wing Ifan Davies bringing the score to Quins 21 Newport 49 with 81 minutes played. With Josh Reid getting injured during that defensive set, it was back into action for Ben Roach.
Home centre Jac Howells left himself wide open for a silly yellow card on 82 minutes, as he knocked on in the act of trying to intercept, leaving the referee, Mr Gareth Newman, little option but to invite him to the naughty step. Newport exploited the numbers ruthlessly as Jac Lloyd kicked to 40-metres out. Following the set piece, Jac Lloyd cross-kicked to Elliot Frewen on the wing. Frewen held the ball up long enough for Carwyn Penny to run the channel, take the pass, and sprint into the corner. Jac Lloyd rounded off a 100% kicking afternoon to make the score Quins 21 Newport 56.
There was time to restart, Messrs Galton and Penny combining to prise open the home defence, but they were forced into touch and that concluded the action for the afternoon.
Full Time: Carmarthen Quins RFC 21 Newport RFC 56
Next Friday, 25th April, Newport play their final 150th Anniversary celebration game, when we warmly welcome Crawshays RFC. Crawshays have a fabulous history, and we’re thrilled that they’ve agreed to get a squad together to help us celebrate. Crawshays are akin to the Welsh Barbarians and have been closely associated with Newport RFC throughout their long 100-year history.
With the ability to draw on the services of the best players in Wales, Crawshays will come to Rodney Parade with a team packed with capability and endeavour, keen to uphold their excellent on-the-pitch record.
Newport have been involved with Crawshays since its inception and have provided countless players and coaches as well as committee men and other officers. In fact, Crawshays are currently headed up by former Newport RFC player and coach Dai Rees, who will oversee
rugby matters on the night.
There will be hospitality at the game, available at £50 a head to include match access, a hot carvery, complimentary wine and match programmes. Tickets are available individually or in tables of 10. To book yours, contact: commercial@newportrfc.co.uk
As for the play-offs, the final results of the weekend meant that Newport finished in third place in the league and would have a home draw against the team that finished sixth, namely Aberavon RFC. This game will *probably* take place on Saturday May 3rd at Newport Stadium, kicking off at 2.30pm, but please look for updates once the club knows more.
Onwards and upwards Newport.
Your City. Your Colours. Your Club
#cotp
Newport RFC Man of the Match; Jac Lloyd
Final Score – Carmarthen Quins RFC 21 Newport RFC 56