The Principality Premiership Tier 2 sides met for the 315th time since they first clashed at Primrose Field, Swansea, on 17 February, 1876, and as well as going through to the next round of the cup, Newport also took the lead in the fixture – 138 to 137, with 40 draws.
Swansea were 11-0 ahead at the end of the first quarter of a game that was a re-run of the 1978 Cup Final and good value for their lead. Jac Wilson kicked things off with a third minute penalty and added a second after full back Rhys Williams had raced over for the game’s first try after faithfully chasing a speculative up and under from scrum half Rhodri Wells..
Newport opened their account with a try on the half-hour from a five metre line-out by hooker Henry Palmer and then outside half Matt O’Brien kicked a penalty to cut the gap to three points, but the All White ended the first half with a flourish as lock Jay Williams raced away from the home defenders to crash over for a try which Wilson again improved.
Trailing by 10 points at the break the home side had a mountain to climb in the second half. They used their forwards to apply pressure and were rewarded with a penalty try after 58 minutes when the Swansea scrum buckled close to their line.
O’Brien had no problem with the conversion and two minutes later kicked a penalty to level the scores at 18-18. Now it was Swansea who were under the cosh and when they concede another penalty for a high tackle seven minutes later, O’Brien kicked his fourth goal of the match to put his side ahead for the first time.
The other fixtures in the first round take place on Saturday, 28 January (2.30pm kick-off unless stated):
WRU National Cup Round 1
Aberavon v Llandovery
Bedlinog v Bargoed
Bedwas v Glamorgan Wanderers
Cardiff Met v Pontypridd
Cardiff v Tata Steel
Carmarthen Quins v Newcastle Emlyn
Ebbw Vale v Skewen
Glynneath v Cross Keys
Llanelli v Pontypool (3.00pm)
Merthyr v Newbridge
RGC 1404 v Dunvant
Byes: Beddau, Bridgend, Narberth, Neath
