Newport leap-frogged Ebbw Vale into second place in the Indigo Premiership table thanks to a 43-17 home win over RGC to make it six consecutive bonus-point victories.

The Black & Ambers did it with considerable style as they ran in a magnificent seven tries against a team they hadn’t beaten in Newport since 2017.

And Ceri Jones’ visiting side didn’t disappoint in the early stages, despite not having won on the road this season, as they sped into a 10-7 lead.

But a first half brace from hooker Henry Palmer and one each for wings Lloyd Lewis and Elliot Frewen made sure of the home bonus point and a 26-10 advantage by the break.

RGC also lost Sam Williams to a yellow card in the first half as the Newport pressure began to build.

A further three tries were scored after the re-start with Lewis grabbing his second, while Iestyn Galton and Jonny Morris also scored.

The boot of Matt O’Brien, who once again bossed proceedings from the outside half, improved four of the seven tries.

It’s a win that takes Ty Morris’ side above Gwent rivals Ebbw Vale on points difference while they still have two games in hand on The Steelmen.

They also have a game in hand on table-topping Llandovery, who also picked up five points at the weekend.

The reigning champions, beaten only once this season at Ebbw Vale, were too strong for Swansea at St Helen’s, winning 45-19.

They also scored seven tries to make it 13 league wins on the bounce.  

Dion Jones and Caio Parry scored for RGC, with Sam Earl-Jones converting Jones’ score after kicking an early penalty. Dion Jones improved Parry’s try.

Newport are back in action on Thursday night as they head to The Wern to tackle Merthyr.

After that they have to head to Sardis Road for another televised game on Thursday, February 29 against Pontypridd.


They then host Cardiff at Rodney Parade next month before welcoming bottom of the table Neath.

A tricky visit to Eugene Cross Park to face The Steelmen comes on March 23 before Llandovery are the visitors to Newport Stadium five days later in what will be a critical month.

Morris isn’t giving up on the chance of toppling the champions but won’t settle for anything less than a top two finish to guarantee a home game in the semi-finals.