Nothing gets the pulses racing like a match-up between Newport and Pontypool writes Pete Ryan.
Under the Thursday night lights, two Gwent rivals went toe-to-toe at Dragons’ home, the iconic Rodney Parade.
Plenty of Dragons talent was on show with Joe Westwood, Noah Morgan and Brogan Leary all crossing for Newport, while Sam Scarfe scored for Pontypool in a player of the match display.
The game finished in a dramatic 31–29 win for Newport, with 10 tries in total, highlighting the intensity and quality of Super Rygbi Cymru.
As soon as the ball was kicked off, the intensity was clear, Sam Scarfe’s crunching hit followed by a powerful carry from Ellis Lewis setting the tone for Pontypool.
Newport matched the challenge with early dominance in the scrum and from that set-piece came the first try with Dragons centre Westwood going over.
Once in the 22, Pontypool answered back. From a strong drive, player of the match Scarfe peeled away to score a try down the blindside.
The two teams were evenly matched and tries from Liam Antrobus and Morgan Williams kept the contest tight, until Ioan Duggan capitalised on a perfectly weighted cross-kick by fly-half Kieran Meek to give Pontypool the lead at the break.
The second half picked up right where the first half left off. Meek’s chip sat up perfectly for fullback Ellis Davies, giving the visitors the upper hand and 24-12 lead barely two minutes after the interval.
For a while, it looked like Pontypool were on top. Then Westwood made a break, Newport went through the phases, and Henry Palmer kick-started the fightback with a try.
Westwood had another involvement, making the final pass to Dragons youngster Morgan to make it all square.
Scott Matthews went over to regain Pontypool’s lead but Newport hit straight back, with another young Dragon - Leary - hitting a short line to score.
Pontypool came withing inches of victory as Pat Lewis burst through the line, Duggan seemed destined to score again, only for Lucus Welch to deliver a stunning try-saving tackle.
Pontypool kept the attack going until the very end, but vital turnovers from Callum Bradbury and Harri Ackerman gave Newport the win.
The Black and Ambers therefore finish the regular season in 3rd, securing a home quarter-final, while Pooler will be looking to make an impact in the wildcard round next weekend.
“It’s really cool, playing in this historic fixture, but also seeing how much it means to the boys and the extra incentive to keep the Super Rygbi Cymru Shield,” said Dragons and Newport prop Rhodri Jones.
“It was great being back on the pitch at Rodney after a long time away due to injury. I’m really grateful to Ty Morris and Newport RFC for the opportunity to play.
“For me personally, the goal now is to get back playing for the Dragons.”
Pontypool hooker Sam Scarfe said: “The biggest thing we can take out of it is the grit.”
“We’ve had a tough season, things have been said, teams counting us out but I think the last two games we’ve shown a real Pontypool attitude and it’s good to say.
“Hopefully we’ve peaked at the right time going into the playoffs now and you only need three or four wins to win the league.
“As you’ve seen today, we’ve got the best fans in the league, certainly the noisiest, so away games are home games for us and I believe we’re peaking at the right time.”
Elsewhere, James Talamai is on the bench for Ebbw Vale as they travel to face Carmarthen Quins, hoping to secure their spot on the top of Super Rygbi Cymru.
The Wales Under 20s hooker is set to make his debut for the Steelmen who know a win will see them maintain home advantage, all the way to a possible final. Kick off for that game is on Saturday, 2.30pm at Carmarthen Park.
Newport: Carwyn Penny; Chay Foster-Smith, Joe Westwood, Harri Ackerman, Morgan Williams; Harrison James, Lucus Welch; Rhodri Jones, Wade Langley, Ollie Drake, Josh Skinner, Callum Bradbury, Hunter Ward, Kyle Tayler, Ben Roach (c).
Replacements: Henry Palmer, Tom Workman, Liam Newstead, Cerrig Smith, Kobi Rees, Dafydd Buckland, Noah Morgan, Brogan Leary.
Pontypool: Ellis Davies; Ioan Duggan, Marcus Jones, Joel Mahoney, Carrick McDonough; Kieran Meek, Ellis Lewis; Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, Sam Scarfe, Luke Yendle, Joe Davies, Liam Antrobus, Dan Hill, Callum Davies, Mike Herbert (c).
Replacements: Aneurin James, Kyan Best, Owen Popple, Scott Matthews, Ryan Jones, Logan Franklin, Harri Ford, Pat Lewis.
