Dragons RFC scrum half Che Hope was among the scorers as champions Newport RFC backed up their win over Ebbw Vale by securing a 40-29 triumph at Bridgend Ravens to make it consecutive wins in Super Rygbi Cymru.
Early unconverted tries from wing Ben Evans and full-back Lloyd Wilkins handed the Ravens a 10-0 advantage, but the Black & Ambers went on to score four first half tries of their own.
Matt O’Brien, playing in the centre, opened the visitors’ account, with hooker Wade Langley, wing Fin Baker and scrum-half Che Hope also on the scoresheet. Jac Lloyd added the extras to three of them, as Newport led 26-10 at the break.
But it was game on again when Bridgend scored twice inside seven minutes after the re-start through Evans again and centre Joe Gatt – with Fraser Jones improving both tries from the tee to reduce Newport’s lead to just two points.
However, the hosts weren’t able to become the latest side to claim the champions’ scalp as Newport secured victory with further scores from centre Jon Morris and a first Newport try off the bench for Noah Morgan.
Lloyd converted both, while replacement prop Jared Williams scored another try for Bridgend late on.
“We scored some great tries in attack, but it was our ability to stop Bridgend at lineout source that really got us the result,” said a delighted
Newport Head Coach, Ty Morris, was delighted with the performance and the manner in which a number of Dragons RFC Academy players produced.
“It was great to see the young academy players — Cerrig Smith, Tiehi Chatham, Noah Morgan, and Joe Salter — all play a big part in securing their first league win in the Black & Amber jersey," he said.
“What’s particularly encouraging is that, even after back-to-back victories, there’s still so much more to come from this young group of players.”
Meanwhile, hooker Ieuan Morris marked his 50th Ebbw Vale appearance in style with a four-try salvo to send the Steelmen to a 28-0 victory over Swansea.
All four tries were scored in the first half at Eugene Cross Park, all from driving lineouts. Morris was on the end of all of them, while outside half Dorian Jones added the extras to all four. It took Morris’ tally as the top try scorer in SRC this season to 10.
A torrential downpour dictated proceedings after the break, but Ebbw had already ensured maximum points for the fifth time in six outings. This was also Ebbw’s 11th successful defence of the SRC Challenger Shield, while the win took them back to the top of SRC.
