It was ample revenge for the Black & Ambers after they went to St Helen’s a week earlier and suffered a heavy defeat. This time the roles were reversed thanks partly to yellows for Harry Deaves and Tristan Davies in quick succession.
Newport started well and a sharp turn of pace by Dai Richards caught the Swansea defence napping, allowing Craig Hudd to crash over for the opening try. The scores were soon level when Dan Edwards chipped to the corner from a penalty and a patient build up by the pack saw the ball spread wide for Edwards to touch down under the posts.
Edwards kicked a penalty goal, but Newport retook the lead when Garin Harris charged over from a close-range lineout, and Henry Palmer grabbed a third try for the visitors on the stroke of half time.
After the interval Josh Skinner burrowed over for a try from a routine lineout before quick work by the backs saw the ball sent out wide through the hands of Hudd and Ben Roach, with Matt O’Brien popping up to score in the corner.
Moments later Palmer grabbed his second try of the match, before the impressive Richards split the home defence as he handed a scoring pass to Chay Foster-Smith.
Matthew Jenkins managed a consolation try, but it didn’t dampen the day for Newport, who will now be considered strong favourites for a place in the semi-finals. They face Llanelli at home on 3 December, when even a losing bonus-point would be enough to put them through as winners of Group C.
Scorers: Swansea: Tries: D Edwards, M Jenkins; Cons: D Edwards 2; Pens: D Edwards. Newport: Tries: H Palmer 2, C Hudd, G Harris, J Skinner, M O’Brien, C Foster-Smith; Cons: W Reed 5
CARMARTHEN QUINS 3 – 37 RGC
RGC head coach Ceri Jones had a double dose of delight in Carmarthen as he not only saw his side pick up a handsome WRU Premiership Cup win, but also gave new recruit Theo Mayell a debut.
Back row talent Mayell, a former head boy at Monmouth School and England U18 squad member, has signed for the Gogs from Worcester Warriors in the wake of their financial meltdown. He made his first-team debut for the Warriors in the Premiership Cup against Gloucester this season.
“Theo is someone I know from his time at Monmouth School, and he is a great addition to our group. From Theo’s perspective, it’s great to get him up here after what went on with Worcester Warriors,” said Jones.
“He is a player that can play all across the back row and gives us some options and adds competition for places in the starting squad”
Outside half Dion Jones helped himself to 17 points to RGC to a convincing away win in Group A as they kept alive their hopes of progressing in the WRU Premiership Cup.
He kicked two early penalties to give his side the lead and then put through the kick that bounced up into Rhys Tudor’s hands to earn the visitors the first of their five tries. Jones then converted his own try to make it 18-3 to the visitors at the break.
Strong defence from the north Walians kept the Quins at bay and the better attacks all came from the visitors, who left a few more tries out on the field at Carmarthen Park despite their big win.
Delwyn jones added a third try at the start of the second half to round off some great phase play, Jones again converting, before Daf Willimas scored on the blindside of a scrum. The final try came from Jordan Jones with Dion Jones adding the extras.
“I thought the attitude from the players was great, the physicality and attacking intent put us on the front foot and in a strong position heading into the second half,” added Jones.
“It was another long trip, but the fact we had more energy than the home side is huge credit to the players.”
Scorers: Carmarthen Quins: Pen: J Wilson. RGC: Tries: R Tudor, Dion Jones, Delwyn Jones, D Williams, J Jones; Cons: Dion Jones 3; Pens: Dion Jones 2
MERTHYR 48 LLANDOVERY 40
What’s not to like about an 88 point, 12 try thriller – unless you were the Llandovery head coach Euros Evans.
His side ran out of steam in the end and saw a game they looked like rescuing at one stage, finally go away from them. The Drovers had beaten Merthyr 36-12 in the Indigo Prem last month, but this time had to give second best.
The result throws open Group D in the WRU Premiership Cup. Cardiff beat Merthyr 50-15 in their opening game but Llandovery will have home advantage against the Blue & Blacks in the showdown at Church Bank on 3 December.
A home win could mean a three-way tie with calculators ready to decide who goes through to the semi-finals.
In a helter-skelter first half of 47 points the lead changed hands in bewildering fashion to end up seeing Merthyr lead 24-23. Three tries from centre Dafydd Thomas, a penalty try and one from wing Sam Jones were equaled by efforts from centre Adam Warren (2) and scrum half Lee Rees.
After the break, tries came thick and fast – three for Merthyr by full back Ben Jones, hooker Dan Wall and wing Jarrod Cushion which took them 45-23 ahead.
The Drovers who had made some uncharacteristic mistakes in defence responded bravely with tries for prop Jamie Hughes, full back Kian Abraham and lock Joe Powell to come back to 45-40.
A fly half Gareth Thompson penalty made it 48-40 but Llandovery’s goose was cooked when replacements Callum Dodd and Dafydd Land were yellow carded in a frantic finale.
Scorers: Merthyr: Tries: D Thomas, pen try, S Jones, B Jones, D Wall, J Cushion; Cons: G Thompson 5; Pen: G Thompson. Llandovery: Tries: Adam Warren 2, L Rees, J Hughes, K Abraham, J Powell; Cons: K Jones, J Maynard; Pens: K Jones 2
