Newport RFC entertained Blackheath RFC in their first home pre-season match since 2016, the first meeting between the two dates back to November 1879 when the first Anglo-Welsh match for the Black and Ambers was recorded.
In celebration of their sesquicentennial year as a rugby club, Newport adopted the classic long sleeved Black and Amber cotton jersey which was also featured last weekend against Usk RFC who are also celebrating their 150th year this season.
The visitors who ply their trade in the RFU National League 1 started the better as just after four-minutes Jake Lloyd offloaded back inside for scrum-half Jordan Burns to finish the move off with a quick offload to blind-side Josh Smart to break the deadlock.
The Black and Ambers responded accordingly as after a brilliant kick in behind, David Richard’s successfully regathered and after few quick offloads Josh Skinner crossed over for the hosts first.
Not long after, one of the performers of the afternoon for the visitors Jordan Burns took it quickly at the scrum and broke through the hosts defence and scored the English side’s second of the afternoon.
The Black and Ambers were on the attack again, as after a brilliant kick into the corner by outside-half Matt O’Brien, a successful take at the lineout followed and after a few phases on the visitors line Kyle Tayler powered over just after the 20-minute mark. The hosts were quick to add a third as five-minutes later Iwan Pyrs Jones crossed over after some brilliant handling to get the ball out-wide.
The visitors who are nicknamed “Club” were next to cross the whitewash as Jake Lloyd powered his way through the hosts defence to score. Prior to the whistle for half-time, Josh Skinner crossed over to score his second of the afternoon after beating the last man.
HT: Newport 26-17 Blackheath
The second-half started as the first-half finished as after a brilliant flat-pass from replacement scrum-half Daffydd Buckland for Chay Foster-Smith to cross over to extend the hosts lead by 16.
Heading into the final ten minutes of play, Josh Skinner finished off over in the corner after some phases and some excellent handling to score his third of the afternoon. However, it was the visitors who finished the stronger as after penalty kick into the corner by Matt Armstrong, a driving maul followed which then led to Mike Hoyt to cross the whitewash to finish off proceedings at The Newport Stadium.
Next Saturday The Black and Ambers continue Super Rygbi Cymru preparations as they travel to Parc De Pugh to face Brecon RFC (KO: 14:30) before concluding pre-season with an away trip to Dings Crusaders the following Saturday (KO: 15:00).
Words by Harry Tovey
HTSPORTSNEWS 