Team: Newport RFC
Position: 8th
Consistency the issue for the Black and Ambers this season as they sparkled at times, but failed to keep up with the leading pack.
Newport began their 2019/20 campaign at Eugene Cross Park where they came out narrow 29-23 winners over rivals Ebbw Vale before being knocked out of the Specsavers Cup by Carmarthen Quins, despite a spirited performance.
They were winless in October, losing by 4 and 3 points to Aberavon and Swansea on the road in games that could have gone either way. They also suffered a 29-17 home defeat to 2016/17 winners Merthyr. Newport started November well with a narrow win over Llandovery at Church Bank and a comfortable win against struggling Bridgend Ravens before suffering 4 defeats on the bounce to finish the year.
First, they were defeated at the death by Pontypridd at Rodney Parade, tries for inspirational captain Rhys Jenkins’, who was making his 150th appearance for Newport, young Dragons hooker Brodie Coghlan, centre Harry Griffiths and ever impressive Jonny Morris and 15 points from the boot of Matt O’Brien seemed to be guiding them to a sensational victory over the Valley Commandos. However, were cruelly defeated in the 75th minute at Rodney Parade in one of the games of the season. They also fell to Llanelli, Cardiff and Carmarthen Quins at the tail end of 2019.
Newport did turn their fortunes around in 2020, winning 4 out of 5 games after the break. The Black and Ambers fought to a 38-36 win against Bridgend Ravens, in another highly entertaining game before falling by two points to high flying Aberavon at home. This was followed by back to back home wins against Ebbw Vale and Swansea. Finally, they gained revenge over Pontypridd, winning their first game at Sardis Road in 20 years before the Coronavirus outbreak ended the season. Ending the season in 8th place, two points above Swansea and six points below RGC.
Unfortunately, Newport finished 2 games in hand on RGC, and 3 on Pontypridd and Merthyr above them. Outside-half Matt O’Brien was confident that had those games be played Newport would have finished in the top 6. “We seemed to have turned a corner in 2020” he said. “10 points from those 3 games would have taken us to 5th, so on target for a top 6 finish”. O’Brien, who finished as the clubs top point scorer yet again this year admitted Newport’s inconsistency cost them but was looking forward to next season, insisting that the Black and Ambers had “the foundations of a real good squad” and “with a few additions over the summer” he has no doubt they will improve for the 2020/21 season.
Haydn Evans 