Proud Pooler turned up with an army of fans at Rodney Parade and showed everyone exactly why they were invincible last season in winning the Admiral Championship title and the WRU Championship Cup.
“We wanted to do Dai proud, as one of the greatest players to wear the Newport jersey, and I asked the players before the game to ensure they could hold their heads up high by honouring his memory and also Henry Palmer, who was playing his 150th game for the club,” said Morris.
“We were very good in the first half. We were clinical, took our opportunities well, but the second half turned into an arm-wrestle.
Our discipline was poor after the break and we were on the wrong side of the penalty count 10-3. That’s something we’ll have to sort out.”
It was the first time in 11 years the two teams had met in a league fixture and all eyes were on Leighton Jones’ side on the day they returned to the top-flight.
They may not have won the game, but they showed they are going to be a great addition to the top-flight and will be a joy for every club they visit with their large army of fans.
They picked up three tries in the match, led17-12 midway through a helter-skelter first half and provided the man of the match in scrum half Morgan Lloyd. The 20-year-old Dragons academy player was simply outstanding and had a hand in all three tries.
Former Pooler wing Lloyd Lewis got the game off to a flying start with a 50 metre interception try and he also picked up another one in the first half. But while Newport took the lead, it was the fired-up visitors who quickly overtook them.
Matthew Jarvis kicked a penalty and then converted a try by wing Ewan Rosser as he ran onto a great dink into the home 22 by Lloyd.
Lewis’ second try before Lloyd sent centre Joel Mahoney crashing over from a quick tap penalty to make it 17-12 to Pooler. It got even better when Jarvis kicked another penalty.
Joel Mahoney dives to score for Pontypool
But back came Newport with three tries before the break as Tom Davies, Ben Roach and Joe Westwood crossed. Matt O’Brien converted all three and Newport were 33-20 to the good at the interval.
The pace had to slow down in the second half and Newport’s progress was hindered as flanker Rhys Jenkins picked up a yellow card in in the 56th minute and then again in the 72nd to earn a red card. After the glut of points in the opening half, there were only 12 to savour in the second half.
Replacement prop Sam Cochrane crashed over soon after Jenkins had departed for the first time and Jarvis added the extra. Then Westwood barged his way over for his second 12 minutes from time to complete a victory dedicated to the great Dai Watkins.
Scorers: Newport: Tries: L Lewis 2, J Westwood 2, B Roach, T Davies; Cons: M O’Brien 4;
Pontypool: Tries: E Rosser, J Mahoney, S Cochrane; Cons: M Jarvis 3; Pens: M Jarvis 2
