Newport Edge the win
RGC 34 Newport 40
Saturday 27th December 2025
Newport came away with the win, with RGC grabbing 2 bonus points. In a game where they let Newport back into the match at crucial times in the 1st half, in front of a bumper 1456 crowd.
RGC made a strong start, opening the scoring when Patrick Nelson crashed over from close range, with Billy McBryde adding the conversion.
The home side looked lively in attack, moving the ball with pace through the backline as Dion Jones and Caio Parry caused problems. RGC went close again when James Brown drove for the line, but a Newport interception ended the move in dramatic fashion.
A huge tackle from Dion Jones then halted a Newport attack, and McBryde extended RGC’s lead soon after with a penalty.
Newport hit back from the restart as Lloyd Lewis gathered possession and ran in for the try, although the conversion was missed. McBryde responded with another penalty to keep RGC ahead.
Newport struck again when Lewis intercepted a loose pass and sprinted in from halfway, with Harrison James converting to edge the visitors in front at 13–12.
Those 2 tries were momentum shifts, in a half were RGC gifted them points - and would be crucial in the end result.
RGC created further chances but were frustrated by handling errors before eventually breaking through, James Brown powering over for the try. McBryde converted, but Newport responded quickly as hooker Henry Palmer forced his way over, James again adding the extras.
The Gogs didnt look after the ball, and on a couple off occasions a pass ended up out the pitch, again much to the relief of Newport.
With five minutes of the half remaining, Newport took the lead through Morgan Williams, who finished down the left after good support, and James converted to make it 26–20.
RGC had the final say before the interval. Caio Parry showed strength and footwork to cut inside and drive over for the try, with McBryde converting to send the home side into the break holding a narrow one-point advantage.
RGC started the second half strongly, with Caio Parry again at the heart of the action. Collecting possession, Parry created space and sent support runner Dion Jones through to score. Billy McBryde added the conversion to secure a bonus-point try and extend the lead.
Parry’s pace continued to cause problems for the Newport defence, repeatedly stretching the visitors out wide.
Newport responded with sustained pressure, repeatedly getting on the front foot and attempting to drive a maul over the line, though RGC managed to hold them up initially. The pressure eventually told, however, as hooker Henry Palmer crossed for his second try of the game, with Harrison James converting to narrow the gap.
With 20 minutes remaining, the match was finely balanced at just a single point. Both sides knew the importance of the next score. Newport began to gain momentum, making ground through the middle of the field and forcing their way into the RGC 22. Hunter Ward led the charge, carrying hard and breaking tackles as territory and possession swung in the visitors’ favour.
The game tightened as both teams turned to tactical kicking, looking to force errors. Newport continued to win the collisions, drove to the line, and earned a penalty before scoring from close range soon after. James converted to put the visitors ahead, which was the game.
RGC were forced to build attacks from deep inside their own half, allowing Newport to apply pressure and shut down their progress. Late on, James had the chance to deny RGC a losing bonus point, but he pulled his penalty attempt wide.