They lost two and drew one of their 30 games in that victorious campaign and were praised for their consistently exciting and adventurous rugby.” Fast forward 17 years and the same could be said for the current side.
Newport ended up topping the WRU Premiership Cup table in the east and now they are looking to prove they are the best club side in the whole of Wales as they prepare to kick-off in the Indigo Group Premiership.
Aberavon, who ended up second in the west Wales table, threw down the gauntlet on Thursday night in the opening game of the new league campaign with a 28-13 bonus-point win over Swansea. Today the rest of the teams kick-off in a shortened tournament that will be more of a sprint than a marathon.
Black & Ambers skipper Matt O’Brien has been in sparkling form for his side and has led his team into their new home at Spytty Park and enabled them to settle down very quickly. They kick-off at home against Bridgend this afternoon.
“Spytty Park was a bit strange to start with, but we have settled in really well. It is a very good facility, although a bit narrower than I would like, and we really look forward to playing there,” said O’Brien.
“There is a huge amount of history surrounding the Newport club, most of it from their days at Rodney Parade, but we are still wearing the Black & Amber jersey.
“We are looking to start a new chapter in the club’s rich history. It is still a great honour for all of us to represent the club and the city.
“We are confident in our ability and the way we are playing. We have always played a decent brand of rugby and the style is good.
“The back line has been moving well and we have one of the best packs that I can remember in my time at the club.”
Bridgend will come into the game on a high having conjured up a miraculous last minute try at Swansea in their last game to steal a win and head into the quarter-finals of the Premiership Cup.
Jason Strange will be back in charge of the Ebbw Vale side that travels to The Wern to face Merthyr, while Pontypridd host Carmarthen Quins. Cardiff’s game against Llaneli is off.
The late game, which will be televised on S4C, sees another title contender, Llandovery, welcome RGC to Church Bank. The Gogs are capable of matching anyone on their day and skipper Tom Hughes is hoping for a profitable trip south.
“We didn’t get the best start to the season and it took us time to find our feet under new coach Ceri Jones. It has always been in our DNA to throw the ball about and Ceri has come in and sorted out our set-piece,” said Hughes.
“We lost a few players to the English Championship at the start of lockdown and we have had to rebuild with some youngsters.”
