NEWPORT got back to winning ways after defeating RGC 15-8 in the Principality Premiership, writes Jamie Davies.

It was a very damp day in Colwyn Bay and after a couple of pitch inspections, Storm Callum failed to postpone Saturday afternoon’s match.

Newport were hoping to end a winless run in the division after a run of two consecutive defeats against Llanelli and Aberavon.

Just eight minutes into the game and RGC’s Sam Jones opened the scoring with a try after a neat pass to the flank from Dion Jones.

Newport were just yards away from getting themselves on the scoreboard but a fine piece of defending and an interception in the process denied the visitors from levelling the game.

But four minutes on from their first real go at RGC’s end, Newport scored a penalty try to take the lead for the first time at 7-5 while RGC’s Robin Williams was given a yellow card and the hosts were down to 14 men.

On the half hour mark the hosts were awarded a penalty in the centre but Newport stayed on top at 7-5 after Billy McBryde missed RGC’s second kick of the game.

Newport increased the lead to seal a successful first half performance as their first penalty of the game was scored by Matt O’Brien to make it 10-5 to Newport at the interval. O’Brien’s successful penalty was his 601st point for the South Wales team on his 100th appearance.

At half time Newport’s opponents made a double substitution in an attempt to turn the score line around. Cam Davies and Curtis Reynolds were replaced by Efan Jones and Joe Simpson.

The hosts began their fight back with a penalty scored by McBryde 10 minutes into the second half.

The second half continued to show a tight performance between the two sides as there was hardly much in it.

But after a scrum near the try zone, Jon Morris opened the gap for Newport by scoring the visitors’ first try of the day with over ten minutes left to play.

Newport held on and with just seconds left on the clock, they were awarded a drop kick to very much seal their first league win in three games.
RGC 1404: D. Jones, I. Wyn Evans, R. Williams, D. Jack Cross (S.Wainwright 52’), S. Thomas Jones (A Evans 77’), B. McBryde, C. Davies (E. Jones 21), C. Reynolds (J Simpson 40’), E. Yardley (capt) (G. Roberts 77’), C. Connolly (J Leach 52’), B. Williams, R. Williams, M. Richard Parry, D. Moreton Owen (T Hughes 52’),  T. Grey.

RGC 1404 scorers: Try: S Jones; Pen: B McBryde

Newport: D. Richards, J. Morris, C. Smith, T. Pascoe (D Partridge 39’), E. Frewen, M. O’Brien, T. Lucas, L. Smout, W. Evans, G. Harris (T Piper 52’), R. Creswell (D Partridge 62’), J. Bartlett, M. Burgess, K. Tayler, J. Reid.

Newport scorers: Tries: Pen try, J Morris, Pen: M. O’Brien

Argus star man: Jon Morris (Newport)