NEWPORT HIT FORM

Feb 11 - Newport put together some of their their best form of the season to beat Cardiff 36-19 at Rodney Parade on Saturday. After a scrappy first half where Newport were fortunate to be in front (Ryan James got an interception try) they cut loose. With James playing at 9 instead of 10 they began to dominate their ragged opponents and scored two good tries through Frewen and Amos.

EBBW EASE PAST NEWPORT

Jan 28 - A shocking display from Newport led to their ignominious exit from the Swalec Cup at the hands of Ebbw Vale by 26 points to 13 at Rodney Parade to cap a truly dreadful season for the Black and Ambers.

PORT BEAT TONMAWR

Jan 14 - Newport pulled off a rare double this season beating Tonmawr 20-13 with two tries from Darren Walters and Matthew Pewtner.

NEWPORT BEAT THE OLD ENEMY

Jan 2 - Newport won their first game since October 22 and their away game of the season with a comprehensive display against Cardiff. The Cardiff club side were no match for the Black and Ambers who were comfortably ahead early on, mastering the difficult conditions. They were 17-0 to the good at half time with tries from Ledbetter and Frewen. Cardiff fought back in the second half with Newport reduced to 14 men at one stage but Pewtner finished the scoring off with a long range effort for the Black and Ambers.

NEWPORT RFC - DEAD OR ALIVE?

Dec 26 - A few hundred fans turned up to Rodney Parade for today's Boxing Day fixture with Cross Keys, many evidently could not be bothered. The lure of the Premiership is not great and this has to be the worst Newport side assembled in a Black and Ambers shirt in recent memory. It appeared not many of the players could be bothered either such was the lack of intensity, organisation and above all, defence. Nor could the coaches be sufficiently involved to get on the touchline and get their team moving forward. They spend most matches in their lofty perch on the television gantry in the new stand.

Cross Keys had two tries inside the first fifteen minutes. They walked down the right wing for the first and had little problem exposing the Newport defence near the rucks and out wide. They had secured their bonus point in just under half an hour. Newport were reduced to kicking long distance penalty goals at 30-12 down they kicked a penalty to reduce the score to 30-15 as if admitting that it was a damage limitation exercise.

After a chaotic and error strewn second half including cautions for Awcock and Hill the final score was 40-22. Newport's eighth defeat in a row! While some were wholehearted and committed I was struck by several Newport players backing off tackles. Some have played for Cross Keys and Newport perhaps they don't know who they are playing for or why? After all, the games are dress rehearsals for regional rugby anyway aren't they? At one point Keys ten Steffan Jones was going off injured I half expected Newport's outside half Matthew Jones to step in to his position. Its only a matter of time. Matthew Jones, by the way, had no tactical plan and displayed no sense of urgency throughout the match. Time and again he kicked the ball long and invited Keys to run the ball back.

Newport fans vented their anger at the players and the coaches too far away to hear. Perhaps Will Godfrey, Cronk and Gray ought to sit with Newport fans and hear their frustrations? Any self respecting coach would be considering their position. Dragons manager Bob Beale did sit in the main stand, perhaps he enjoyed himself at least? No doubt the other people with no loyalty to Newport who are involved in Rodney Parade Limited will be pleased to see this nuisance of a club going through such a heap of trouble.

DEFEAT FROM THE JAWS OF VICTORY

Nov 6 - Newport were 30-18 up with only a few minutes to play but conceded two late tries to run out losers to Bridgend by 32-30.  This is Newport's seventh defeat in ten matches, seven of which have been played at home. This is comfortably their worst start to a season since the side was relegated to the obscurity of non-professional rugby. The two late tries contributed to a hat trick for wing Kristian Phillips. Newport were up 20-8 at half time and were comfortably in front for much of the game. They scored four tries through Frewen, Pattison, Brown, Pewtner.

NEWPORT GO FROM BAD TO WORSE

Oct 29 - Newport RFC may be an ailing, if not dying, rugby institution but there is still a hardcore of 800-1000 supporters who shell out money to support it. They deserve better than the abject dross being played by the current team. They lack ideas and communication and were once again found wanting yesterday against distinctly average opposition. Llandovery were 20-3 up at half time after a half in which Newport scrum half Ryan James spent more time slowing possession down than passing it out. The back three play was haphazard, kicking mis-directed and too few forwards were willing to work together to carry the ball forward. Sam Waldron was yellow carded for the third time this season (now facing a ban) and his stupid indiscretion allowed the Drovers to emphasise their narrow advantage. In the second half there was an early burst a try from the industrious but limited Scott Williams but the Drovers hit back to seal it. Frampton got a late try for the Black and Ambers. Dreadful.

NEWPORT IMPROVE TO BEAT STRUGGLERS

Oct 22 - Newport recovered well after truly dreadful first half performance to overcome Tonmawr. They were well adrift 16-6 at the break but came back strongly in the second half to win by 34-21.

NEWPORT GAIN POINT AT PONTY

Oct 16 - In a brave performance Newport fought back well to gain a bonus point at Pontypridd. In their best performance of the campaign the Black and Ambers went down 30-24. Mitchell Williams, Owen Broad and Sam Waldron crossed for the tries for Newport with James Ledbetter kicking three penalties. Pontypridd scored a controversial first half penalty try which ended up being the difference between the sides.

NEWPORT - DREADFUL

Oct 8 - Newport were completely clueless against Aberavon at Rodney Parade and were lucky to escape with a 19-3 defeat. The performance epitomised their dreadful early season form. They were without Lewis Robling who had played in a key role in last week's win but there was little evidence of communication or organisation although they did perform bravely against unimpressive opponents.

NEWPORT WIN WITH LAST KICK

Oct 1 - Newport won an entertaining clash against Carmarthen Quins by 36-33 with the final kick of the match at Rodney Parade. The Black and Ambers again played fitfully, in very warm energy-sapping conditions. They started poorly allowing the Quins to find holes in their defence and conceded an early try. But they stormed back, playing some excellent rugby, with fine inter-passing to take a 24-10 lead with tries from Owen Broad, Elliot Frewen and a lung busting charge from number 8 Hugo Ellis. It was 24-13 at half time. Carmarthen dominated much of the second half, and despite penalties from Lewis Robling for the Port, clawed back the deficit with three tries. The final try was unconverted leaving the scores at 33 apiece. Newport breathlessly blundered down field and were granted a penalty by a particularly supercillious and unsympathetic referee, Gareth Butler. Robling, who had a mixed match in terms of distribution and general play, was again impeccable with his kick giving Newport an undeserved victory.

PORT BATTLE PAST POOLER

Sep 24 - Newport comfortably disposed of Pontypool 36-20 at Rodney Parade, battling past their Eastern Valley rivals. Newport won the game in the opening twenty minutes scoring two brilliant tries a long range effort from Ifan Evans and a chip and collect from Alan Awcock. Not much to report after that, Newport collected a bonus point for four tries and there was the inevitable, disappointing mass fight leading to a red card for Pooler's Luke Dychoff.

NEWPORT FAIL AT NEATH

Sep 17 - Newport continued with their poor opening to the season with a 36-16 defeat against Neath at the Gnoll. Briefly it looked as if they would be competitive taking a 16-15 lead early in the second half before Neath pulled away. Newport: Try: W Rees-Hole. Con: L Robling. Pens: L Robling (3).

BRIDGEND TOO STRONG FOR BLACK AND AMBERS

Sep 10 - Newport were again completely outplayed by Premiership opposition as they went down at Bridgend 45-27. They salvaged a bonus point by scoring four tries but this should not hide the paucity of their forward effort. No problem though as their results don't matter this season, the WRU decided to include the Black and Ambers in their ridiculous scheme for a 10 team Premiership from next season.

DISASTROUS START FOR PORT

Sep 4 - Newport were comprehensively outplayed by Llanelli at Rodney Parade yesterday. The West Walians showed more pace and more guile against a Black and Amber side who missed far too many tackles. Llanelli were fired forward by their outstanding half backs, number 10 Jordan Williams looks a fine prospect. Down 8-26 at half time Newport fought back to secure a four try bonus but new scrum-half Ryan James was red carded by Cardiff referee Gwyn Morris for an alleged foul. Broad, Awcock, Rees-Hole and Ledbetter got Newport tries as they slipped to 25-37 defeat.

NEWPORT WIN AWAY

Aug 20 - Newport beat Coventry 25-15 away this afternoon.

WALK IN THE PARK FOR PORT

Aug 13 - A healthy crowd watched Newport comfortably dispose of Rumney by 77-0 at Rodney Parade. Playing in an uncharacteristic red and black strip Newport played fitfully and lacked set piece cohesion, going backwards in early scrums. But they displayed excellent fluency and footballing skills with new full back Elliot Frewen the pick of the threequarters. Eleven tries were scored including three for the excellent Owen Broad, all converted by Gareth Bowen and Lewis Robling.

NEWPORT WIN SEVENS

Aug 7 - Newport were crowned Men of Gwent Sevens champions for the fourth year in succession beating Cross Keys 19-12 in the final. The Black and Ambers beat Pontypool, Bedwas and the Skill School in the pool matches. Winger Owen Broad was man of the tournament. Newport carried off the £1250 prize in front of a crowd of 2000. In a day of warm sunshine and showers the club enjoyed a profitable day with the Rodney Hall thronged with fans to watch England beat Wales and the beer and cider festival proving extremely popular with most of the offers sold out. Kevin Jarvis of Friends of Newport Rugby stated "Over 180 gallons of beer plus 4 containers of cider were all consumed by just after 1600 on Saturday afternoon."

Newport beat Pontypool 26-12, Bedwas 24-19, Skills School 26-10 and Cross Keys 19-12. Owen Broad scored seven tries, Elliot Frewen four.

SEVENS TOURNAMENT KICKS OFF NEW SEASON

Aug 1 - This Saturday sees the return of the annual Worthington's Men of Gwent Sevens Tournament. From 12 noon until the evening nine teams from across the region will be competing for the trophy. Not only will supporters be able to cheer for the team of their choice but they will also be able to see the new Bisley Stand taking shape before the official handover on 29th August.

The Wales vs. England game will be shown at 2:30 pm on the big screen in Rodney Hall. Players from the Dragons will be in attendance until 1 pm. These include new signings Joe Bedford, Darren Waters, Jamie Smith and Tom Brown. Friends of Newport Rugby has organised a beer festival which is open until 11pm. Live music will be provided by local talent and there will be a wide range of real ale and traditional ciders.