SO Newport skipper Gary Teichmann got his perfect send-off after all.

The fates had seemed to be suggesting for weeks that his Newport farewell would provide him with a great triumph, and so it proved.

And the great man said he would put yesterday's Principality Cup Final triumph alongside any other successes in a glittering career.

"It's the perfect finish for me," he said, "absolutely perfect and I just want to thank the players, the coaching staff and the supporters.

"It was a bit of a shock to see how many fans came out for the final. It was fantastic.

"Winning any silverware is a big bonus and it's a great feeling. "There's nothing worse than coming to a club, playing for two years and trying to achieve something, and letting it slip at the last hurdle.

"It's a big plus for me and I'm very happy to finish like that." He added: "I always knew Newport were capable of winning things, but the side still has a long way to go in terms of their performances.

"There were times in the final when I was concerned because it was looking like a repeat of the whole season.

"Nothing seemed to be sticking and things we were trying to do we weren't doing properly, we were giving away penalties, and we couldn't get anything going.

"But I knew the guys were up for it and that if our defence held out and we could got over for a try, it would lift them still further.

"On attack we were going in ones or twos and their first time up defence was good and we turned the ball over or gave a penalty away.

"We couldn't get that momentum, and to score tries against these sorts of sides you have to keep the ball through four or five phases.

"I was concerned we were spending so much time in their half and not putting points on the board.

"I said at half time we needed to score first and put the pressure back on to Neath and we were fortunate to do that.

"We called the right move in the right place and executed it well. "I think the big turning point was when we scored that try. It gave us a bit of breathing space and we were a bit more on top.

"I thought our defence once again was good and in terms of their disallowed try, I'm sure the Neath player touched the touchline on the way to score.

"When Shane (Howarth) was taken out head high, that was also a crucial point in terms of us scoring, so it works both ways. "I think our forwards played well. When they were brought into the game they made an impact."

Teichmann admitted he was also concerned as the injury toll mounted. "I was worried if we picked up one more injury in the back line because I think we were out of players.

"Fortunately Dale (Burn) moved out on to the wing and did really well, preventing one score, and those sorts of things win you a final."