Five second half tries secured a 33-19 comeback Super Rygbi Cymru Cup triumph for Newport over old rivals Cardiff at the Arms Park – but not before some strong words from head coach Ty Morris.
Just as in their Pool A opener at Carmarthen Quins, the men in Black & Amber were slow starters and Morris certainly didn’t mince his words with his side again trailing at half time and made a raft of changes.
His players responded but, still trailing 19-5 with a quarter of the game remaining, had to dig deep to secure another five points and ensure they remain unbeaten and top of the pool.
Centre Harri Ackerman scored two tries after coming off the bench, with lock Josh Skinner, scrum-half Dafydd Buckland and Wales U20 scrum-half Carter Pritchard – who replaced Buckland – also on the scoresheet.
Jac Lloyd kicked four conversions, while Cardiff Academy U18 centre Bailey Cutts scored twice for the home side, who also awarded a penalty try. Steff Crimp kicked one conversion.
“It was very much a game of two halves. While it was pleasing to come away from the Arms Park with a win against Cardiff and to maintain our momentum in both the league and cup, I was extremely disappointed with our first half performance,” said Morris.
“For the second game in a row, we simply did not turn up at the start. At half time I was embarrassed by the lack of energy, urgency and tempo in our game.
“Credit must go to Cardiff and their coaching team. They selected one of the youngest squads in the competition and their work rate, particularly in the first half, was outstanding. They beat us to every race and dominated the collision area.
“Despite having the majority of possession and territory, we were not accurate enough. We entered Cardiff’s 22 on seven occasions without scoring a point, which was hugely frustrating, especially when compared to Cardiff scoring 12 points from just two entries.
“Credit to our players for addressing the issues themselves at half time. A few changes, along with excellent impact from the bench, in particular Morgan Burgess, Kyle Tayler and Harri Ackerman, allowed us to play with far more tempo and physicality.
“This shift enabled us to score some outstanding tries in the final 30 minutes. Over the coming days, both the coaching group and players will reflect on why we are not mentally at the races at the start of games.
“As a coaching team, we will review whether changes are needed to our preparation, sessions, warm-ups or messaging. As we move into the SRC knockout stages, we will need to deliver an 80-minute performance, not just finish strongly in the final 20.”
The other game in Pool A between Pontypool and Carmarthen Quins was postponed due to standing water on the pitch at Pontypool Park.
SRC Cup holders Llandovery remain in charge of Pool B after a second half comeback of their own to eventually see off Bridgend 33-17 at Church Bank.
Centre Corey Baldwin and hooker Cameron Lewis both scored twice, with skipper Lee Rees also going over for the Drovers, as they made it three wins and a maximum 18 points from three games. Ioan Hughes kicked three conversions and Steff-Jac Jones one.
Flanker Kyle Harris and wing Gabe Lucey were the try scorers for Bridgend – who led 10-0 at half time. Lloyd Wilkins converted both and kicked a penalty.
“We were very poor in the first half, but I was delighted with how the boys responded after the break,” said Llandovery head coach Euros Evans.
“The second half performance earned us the six points we needed to stay in contention for a home semi-final. It was also great to give some of our younger academy players more valuable game time.”
Meanwhile, with Ebbw Vale’s Eugene Cross Park pitch deemed unplayable, their home tie with Aberavon was switched to The Wern in Merthyr – where the Steelman ran out 31-25 victors.
Centre Cameron Davies, hooker Ieuan Morris and Alfred Bateman-Lloyd scored for Ebbw – who were also awarded a penalty try. Debutant Will Ford kicked nine points.
Aberavon’s tries were scored by flanker Cameron Loveys, wing Noah Mason, centre Sam Matthews and outside half Keillen Cullen – who also kicked five points.