Newport now have their sights set firmly on a league and cup double after breaking into the top four in the Indigo Premiership for the first time this season on the back of a 36-12 home win over Bridgend.
Matt O’Brien’s side made it six wins in a row with their revenge victory over the Ravens at Newport Stadium on Wednesday night. The visitors were the last team to beat O’Brien’s men back in January, but there was never any likelihood of them doing the double.
Newport had the bonus-point in the bag by half-time as they moved into fourth for the first time this season and they now sit two points ahead of Gwent rivals Ebbw Vale and are four clear of sixth placed
Aberavon.
Aberavon.
Tries from James Benjamin, Lennon Greggains, Elliot Frewen and Harri Ackerman ensured Newport had the bonus-point in the bag by half-time against the Ravens, leading 24-7. In the second half Che Hope and Dafydd Buckland made it half-a-dozen as they completed another successful week.
Having lost their opening four matches against Ebbw Vale, Cardiff, Llandovery and Swansea, it has been a remarkable transformation for the Black & Ambers, who also have a WRU Premiership Cup final against Cardiff to look forward to on Sunday 23 April.
Newport became the third different team in the space of two weeks to move into the fourth and final play-off place. Aberavon lost it to Ebbw Vale, who have now dropped down to fifth. They end their campaign with a home clash against top of the table Llandovery.
Newport became the third different team in the space of two weeks to move into the fourth and final play-off place. Aberavon lost it to Ebbw Vale, who have now dropped down to fifth. They end their campaign with a home clash against top of the table Llandovery.
Ebbw Vale may have lost their grip on fourth place, but they certainly aren’t giving up on a play-off place. They head to third placed Merthyr for a key clash this weekend.
Their final three matches are all against teams in the top six, with home games against Aberavon and Cardiff to come after that. One way or the other Jason Strange expects his team to have a major impact on who wins the title.
“I think any of the teams in the top six could win the title this season. It really is that tight at the top and we’re certainly not giving up the fight,” said Ebbw’s head coach.
“We’re really looking forward to going to Merthyr and playing on a fast track in what look like being favourable conditions. We were disappointed when we played them at home recently.
“But however this season ends for us it can be viewed as a major success for the club. If you go back a year, the team was getting beaten by 40 points every game and only had 25 registered players.
“Now we have a young squad of almost 40 and they’ve all re-signed for next season. They are proud to be playing for Ebbw Vale and the fans have been brilliant in their support of them.
“Our goal has always been to create a sustainable rugby model that is based on local talent. Given the experience the players have picked up over the course of this season, I think we can be even better next season.”
