It was a successful round for our Gwent sides in the Super Rygbi Cup last weekend with wins for Ebbw Vale and Newport.
While Pontypool RFC’s clash against Carmarthen Quins was called off, the Steelmen survived a late scare against Aberavon to win 31-25 while Newport came from 12-0 down to win 19-33 at the capital.
Both games saw great debuts for Dragons youngsters with Will Ford kicking nine points for Ebbw Vale, while Carter Pritchard came off the bench to score the final try in Newport’s win against Cardiff.
Starting with the Black and Ambers who boasted Dragons Joe Westwood, Noah Morgan and Jac Lloyd in their XV.
It was a difficult first forty however, with Cardiff opening the scoring through Bailey Cutts after 12 minutes, before a penalty try just before half-time added to their advantage.
Newport made five changes at half-time with Harri Ackerman joining Westwood in the centres and the former Wales U20s captain made an almost instant impact with a try.
Cutts scored his second to extend Cardiff’s lead to 14 before a Josh Skinner try and Lloyd conversion reduced the arrears to seven.
Ackerman capitalised on a break from fellow substitute Kyle Tayler to score his second under the posts, before scrum-half Dafydd Buckland scored the bonus point try in the same spot with Lloyd converting both as Newport took the lead.
Minutes later and Pritchard replaced Buckland for his Newport debut and stretched over for the final score, with Lloyd converting for an eight-point haul.
The Steelmen also had a difficult start at home to Aberavon, conceding two tries inside the first half hour, before Ford responded with a penalty for his first points in Ebbw colours.
A try for Cameron Davies and Ford conversion levelled the scores before Aberavon responded with a penalty of their own to take the lead into half time.
Ebbw and Aberavon traded tries at the start of the second half, with Ieuan Morris’ score for the hosts and Ford’s conversion cancelled out before a penalty try gave the Steelmen a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Former Dragons Jon Evans made his return from injury before Alfred Bateman-Lloyd scored what ended up being the game-winning score, with Ford again converting.
Aberavon scored the final try of the game to bring them within six points, while a late Luke Garrett yellow card reduced Ebbw to 14, however the Steelmen held out for a five-point win.
The results see Newport open their gap to seven points atop Pool A, ahead of Pontypool who have played a game fewer, while Ebbw Vale climb to second in Pool B after their win in their first game of this years’ competition.
Next up, Ebbw Vale continue their cup campaign as they travel to Bridgend, while Newport host RGC, with Pontypool on a bye week.
Newport RFC team: Morgan Williams; Fin Baker, Joe Westwood, Harrison James, Noah Morgan; Jac Lloyd, Dafydd Buckland; Tom Devine, Henry Palmer, Ollie Drake, Josh Skinner, Callum Bradbury, Hunter Ward, Kobi Rees, Ben Roach (c).
Replacements: Jacob Winters, Harry Fry, Garin Harris, Morgan Burgess, Josh Reid, Kyle Tayler, Carter Pritchard, Harri Ackerman.
Ebbw Vale RFC team: Dylan Edwards; Ryan Gardner, Cam Davies, Dom Franchi (c), Ewan Bowden; Will Ford, Dan Buffery; Morgan Williams, Ieuan Morris, Morgan Bosanko, Dylan Bartlett, Alfred Bateman Lloyd, Ben Main, Joe Rees-Weldon, Lewis Young.
Replacements: Charlie Manship, Luke Garrett, Adam Williams, Jack Pope, Harry Arundel, Jon Evans, Evan Lloyd, Morgan Rees.
