The Black & Ambers had won quite handily when the two sides met in north Wales earlier in the Indigo Premiership Cup East group, 27-15. This time there was no holding the Gogs as they stormed to a bonus-point win.
“At half-time it was about putting as much effort into our defence as we did in our attack, and we showed that during the opening spell after the break. Newport had multiple phases and we defended hard and came away with the ball,” said Jones.
“When we did that I knew we would go on and win. I told the boys they couldn’t expect to just turn-up and win on the road, it takes real effort to pick up results away from home.
“I’m excited about where we go from here in the cup competition and then heading into the start of the league campaign.”
With two games to go they are in sight of a top four finish and certainly did Cardiff a favour as they chase the top spot currently occupied by their fiercest of rivals. Newport picked up two points in defeat, but now only lead by two.
RGC got off to a flying start when Rhys Tudor and Tom Hughes combined out wide to send Pedr Jones in for the first try. Dion Jones added the extras and Newport were given notice that their unbeaten home record this season was under threat.
Dion Jones made it a 10 point lead with a penalty before the Black & Ambers got their game going. Matt Powell and Matt O’Brien bagged tries, both of which O’Brien converted, before the visitors hit back with a second try from wing Zac Clow.
Jones’ conversion put the Gogs back in front before back row man Rhodri Jones crossed for a third Newport try. O’Brien’s conversion made it 21-17 to Newport at the break.
Former Wales Sevens star Ben Roach then bagged the bonus-point try for the East league leaders at the start of the second half. Even then, though, the visitors refused to lie down.
Tom Hughes scored after a charge down and then Pedr Jones got over again while Newport had Josh Reid in the sin-bin for a breakdown offence to make it 31-28 to the Gogs. Sam Rogers, who converted both tries, then added a penalty to make victory safe.
Cardiff bounced back from a derby defeat to Newport by hammering Ebbw Vale 32-7 at the Arms Park.
Steve Law’s side were comfortable bonus-point winners in the end, scoring four tries.
Ebbw got off to a fine start and after a 50:22 kick from Ryan Evans, Alex Grey went over from the line-out. Evans added the extras to give the Steelmen a 7-0 lead., but they didn’t score a point after that.
Evans did miss a penalty, but then Jack Maynard’s three points put Cardiff on the board. Ebbw’s Jordan Thomas then saw yellow for a deliberate knock on, but not even an extra man could help Cardiff cut the gap and they trailed 7-3 at the break.
Jacob Beetham missed a Cardiff penalty when the game resumed but then Jonathan Evans was the next Ebbw man to see yellow. Maynard’s kick made it 7-6 and the home side hit the front for the first time when hooker Iestyn Harris crashed over from a driving maul.
Ethan Phillips had an Ebbw response ruled out for a double movement and Ioan Evans rubbed salt in the away wounds with another Cardiff try, which Beetham converted. Ebbw’s poor discipline continued to hurt them and Scott Evans became their third player to see yellow when he hit Theo Cabango with a high tackle.
The resulting penalty was kicked to the corner and when Ebbw brought down the driving maul, the home side were awarded a penalty try. Cardiff lock Rhys Anstey joined the large numbers to have been in the sin bin, but in his absence Beetham crossed for Cardiff’s crucial fourth score which he again converted.
