Newport remain on course for a unique ‘treble’ in Super Rygbi Cymru after coming out on top 38-21 in their play-off quarter-final with Swansea.
Having already secured the SRC Cup and Challenger Shield, the Black & Ambers now have their sights on retaining the SRC Trophy they won last season.
The win over Swansea sets up a mouthwatering trip to Ebbw Vale in the semi-finals – with the Gwent derby clash a repeat of last season’s Grand Final, which saw Newport prevail 27-18.
Ty Morris’ men were 44-17 victors on their last visit to Eugene Cross Park in March when they also took the Challenger Shield away from the vice-like grip of the Steelmen.
“Some of our scrum work against Swansea was the best I’ve seen all season and is something that will definitely be tested next week,” said Newport head coach Morris.
“The players know exactly what is required at Ebbw Vale, as we’ve produced those performances there on a few occasions over the past few seasons.”
Black and Ambers wing Lloyd Lewis scored a firm contender for try of the season when he opened the scoring nine minutes in against Swansea. He took a cross-field kick inside his own half, before weaving his way past five defenders, and using a sharp turn of pace to score under the posts. Jac Lloyd converted.
However Newport were then reduced to 13 men with lock Josh Skinner and prop Tom Devine both yellow carded within minutes of each other for bringing down the maul.
Swansea seized on their numerical advantage on 25 minutes with flanker Callum Bowden scoring a try that was converted by Josh Phillips, as the sides went in level 7-7 at the break.
Lewis grabbed his second try after the re-start, converted by Lloyd, but after another yellow card, this time shown to centre Joe Westwood on 56 minutes for a deliberate knock on, Swansea once again took advantage within a minute to score their second try through Phillips – who also converted.
Lloyd split the posts on 61 to nudge Newport back in front, and then converted Lucas Welch’s try nine minutes later to make it 24-14.
Then in what was a frantic finish, Brogan Leary and Morgan Williams added further Newport tries, which Lloyd improved, before Iwan Temblett pulled a score back for Swansea, converted by Phillips.
“We knew Swansea would be tough to break down, and that certainly proved to be the case in the first half,” added Morris.
“That said, we didn’t help ourselves. Our discipline was poor, and being reduced to 13 men in the first half made life difficult. Despite that, we managed to keep Swansea at bay and probably should have scored ourselves during that period.
“Credit to the team, because we came out in the second half and scored some excellent tries. Our forward pressure really told.
“Our top priority this week will be discipline, because we won’t beat any of the remaining teams if we are conceding three yellow cards in a game.”
Ebbw Vale had to come from behind on three occasions, but eventually got the job done against a gutsy Bridgend Ravens side 28-21 in their quarter-final.
The Ravens hit the front four minutes in after being awarded a penalty try, with Ebbw back rower Ben Main also sent to the sin bin.
It was all square four minutes later when full-back Morgan Richards scored Ebbw’s first try, converted by Evan Lloyd, but they would go into half time trailing 14-7 courtesy of outside centre Gethin O’Callaghan’s try for the visitors, converted by Lloyd Wilkins.
It was level again when hooker Ieuan Morris went over after the re-start, converted by Lloyd, but Bridgend looked in no mood to roll over and on the hour were ahead for the third time when inside centre Tom Florence went over for their third try, again improved by Wilkins.
Two minutes later, though, Ebbw were back up the other end with replacement scrum-half Gruff Tough scoring their third try, converted by Lloyd.
The decisive moment came four minutes later, when SRC’s leading try-getter Morris grabbed his second of the match – and 21st of the season – to secure a hard-fought victory for Ebbw. Lloyd converted.
Llandovery booked a semi-final trip to Cardiff Arms Park after they overcame RGC 36-30 at Church Bank.
Wing Harri Doel’s 78th minute try eventually settled the match in the Drovers’ favour. Prop Jamie Hughes and hooker Cam Lewis had both earlier scored twice for Llandovery. Ioan Hughes added 11 points from the tee.
RGC more than played their part. Full-back Dion Jones, centre Delwyn Jones, back-rower Dafydd Thirsk and Dragons bound wing Caio Parry were their try scorers. Billy McBryde kicked the rest.