The result saw league leaders Ebbw finally surrender their grip on the Shield they had held since 5 October 2024 and 14 successful defences across two seasons.
Similar to New Zealand’s Ranfurly Shield, the ‘holder’ puts up the Shield for competition in every home game in the regular league season.
It was Newport’s fifth win in a row over the Steelmen, which also includes last season’s SRC Trophy Grand Final and their dramatic 48-34 extra-time semi-final Cup triumph at the start of the month.
“Absolutely thrilled to have taken the Challenger Shield from Ebbw Vale. We knew it was going to be a huge task, especially with how difficult they are to beat at Eugene Cross Park,” said Newport head coach Ty Morris.
Wing Oli Andrew scored two tries for Newport, with flankers Hunter Ward and Kyle Tayler, along with replacement centre Chay Foster-Smith, also on the scoresheet in a comprehensive double bonus point win for the defending SRC champions.
Harrison James kicked four conversions and three penalties, while Carwyn Penny also sent over a conversion.
Ebbw had taken an early 10-0 lead courtesy of wing Morgan Rees’ try, converted by Tom Price – who also goaled a penalty. They were also awarded a second half penalty try.
Another fiercely contested derby included a flurry of yellow cards, while Ebbw centre Ethan Phillips also saw red in the second half for a headbutt, as temperatures reached boiling point.
The already injury-hit Steelmen suffered further blows when they lost skipper and hooker Joe Franchi to a worrying looking neck injury when leading 10-0. Scrum-half Jon Evans also went off in the first half.
“Everyone at Newport wishes him [Franchi] a full and speedy recovery, and we hope he’s doing ok,” continued Morris.
“The game itself was a bit scrappy and stop-start, which didn’t really suit us. Ebbw came out flying and we looked like we were in for a tough afternoon early on.
“Credit to the players though, they settled into the game and were very clinical between 20–40 minutes, which put us into the lead.
“The second half followed a similar pattern; however our scrum began to take control and the lineout improved, which allowed us to manage territory and possession better.
“A late try probably made the scoreline look a bit more convincing than the game actually was but, to put over 90 points on Ebbw Vale across the last two games, shows the level we’re performing at right now. Every game from here on is a cup final.”
Newport’s first defence of the Shield is at home against Bridgend on Saturday as they also look to maintain their current top four position and, with it, home advantage heading into the play-offs.
For Ebbw, although this result marked only their third league defeat of the campaign, it is now back-to-back league defeats having gone down convincingly 37-19 in a rearranged game at Cardiff in their previous league outing back on 24 January.
Scorers: Ebbw Vale: Tries: M Rees, Pen Try; Con: T Price; Pen: T Price. Newport: O Andrew 2, H Ward, C Foster-Smith, K Tayler; Cons: H James 4, C Penny; Pens: H James 3