Newport defeated old rivals Cardiff in their own backyard for the second time this season to set up an all-Gwent Super Rygbi Cymru final with Ebbw Vale on Sunday 18 May.
The Black & Ambers’ semi-final victory was also their third win on the bounce at the Arms Park. The reward for Ty Morris’ men is a trip to Eugene Cross Park with the trophy on the line and a shot at capping their 150th anniversary season with a major piece of silverware.
The comeback victory also gives Morris’ men the chance to go one better than last year, when they were beaten at Church Bank by Llandovery in the Indigo Premiership final.
“It was a great day for the club, and we’ve really got to the point where we enjoy playing at the Arms Park. We had to dig deep to come back, but in the end, we left two or three tries out there and missed four kicks,” said Morris.
“We lost Lloyd Lewis to a serious hamstring injury that will rule him out of the final, but everyone else came through and we are buzzing to reach another final. We know what Ebbw Vale can do, and theirs’ was a seriously impressive semi-final win.
“It should be a great occasion for Gwent rugby on Sunday and if the weather is good once again, I’m sure we’ll have a big crowd watching us.”
Newport had trailed Cardiff 17-11 at half time but roared back with three second half tries, including two within the space of three minutes just after the hour mark, to book a showdown with The Steelmen.
It had been one win apiece between these sides during the regular heading in this semi-final, with Cardiff having avenged a 27-20 home loss just before Christmas a few days later by winning 36-30 at Newport Stadium.
Cardiff were up and running six minutes in with Wales U18 outside half Lloyd Lucas, making his first start at the Arms Park as a Blue & Blacks player, sending over a long-range penalty to get the scoreboard ticking.
It was the hosts who also scored the game’s first try which came after some good build-up play after 14 minutes. A break and then offload from Osian Darwin-Lewis sent scrum-half Ethan Lloyd over from close range, with Lucas adding the extras to put the hosts 10-0 ahead.
Newport responded and, having begun to stamp their mark and moments after being held up just short, they responded on the half-hour when a pass from scrum-half Dafydd Buckland set up wing Iestyn Galton to score.
Jac Lloyd’s conversion attempt went wide, although he was successful with a penalty goal attempt five minutes later to reduce the deficit to 10-8.
Cardiff scored their second try three minutes before half time and it was Lucas who orchestrated it with an excellent kick, with Elijah Evans regathering to score. Lucas again converted.
They would go into the break with a six-point advantage after Lloyd landed with another penalty right on half time.
Four minutes after the re-start Cardiff had Evans sent to the sin-bin and, a minute later, Newport were ahead for the first time, when after a brilliant catch and drive, openside flanker Kyle Tayler finished off with Lloyd converting.
Cardiff responded moments later with Lucas slotting another three points from the tee to put Cardiff back in front, but it was the visitors who were looking the more likely. Newport were inches away from going over again with skipper Ben Roach knocking on just short of the Cardiff line.
Lloyd also missed two further kicks at the posts before continuous Newport pressure on the home defence was rewarded on 62 minutes when prop Tom Devine powered his way over. Lloyd converted.
Then two minutes later and after a Cardiff mix up from a line out, Newport stole back possession and, after the ball went through the hands, it was sent out to centre Jon Morris to score and all but secure Newport’s spot in the final. Lloyd converted.
Cardiff were unable to find an answer in the closing stages and Lloyd sent over another penalty three minutes from time to put the cap on another memorable day in the capital for Newport.
Scorers: Cardiff: Tries: E Lloyd, E Evans; Cons: L Lucas 2; Pens: L Lucas 2. Newport: Tries: I Galton, K Tayler, T Devine, J Morris; Cons: J Lloyd 3 Pens: J Lloyd 3