NEWPORT prop Rod Snow was probably the happiest player in the Newport dressing-room after Sunday's Principality Cup success. Snow has been with the club through thick and thin, almost going elsewhere three years ago before deciding to stay at Rodney Parade.

And yesterday he called that decision "the greatest decision I ever made," He added: "I believed when I made that decision it was the right one. Tony Brown (Newport chief) made me a promise things would change at Newport.

"Though I did not know him well at the time, he was the sort of guy who struck me as being honest and genuine and having your best interest at heart.

"Within a month we had Shane Howarth sign, we had Gary Teichmann and Simon Raiwalui sign and Tony Brown lived up to his word.

"His goal was to put Newport back on the map and I believe he's done that, not just because we've won the Welsh cup but because we've secured a European Cup place for next year.

"Tony's also brought in players who want to be winners, who want to excel and who want to do better every time they go out on the park.

"So three years ago I decided to stay at Newport, and it's proved the greatest decision I ever made. I don't know how much I'd have missed the club had I not stayed."

Snow was overjoyed at yesterday's triumph. "It was a huge occasion and it had been on my mind ever since we defeated Ebbw Vale in the semi-finals," he said.

"It was the opportunity after six years of hard work at Newport to finally come away with something and it's a great feeling.

"I knew it wasn't going to be easy and it was a struggle right to the wire. "At the end we defended, defended, defended and it was a credit to all 15 Newport guys who were on the pitch at the end of the game.

"It was a pity someone had to lose and ultimately the only difference between the teams was the number of points we had on the board. "But our goal was to win the cup, whether it was pretty or not. "It was a huge day for Newport to finally capture some silverware and a day I will always remember."

But he suggested, "I guess even winning today we'll still have pundits who'll make comments that we haven't won much. "I guess we have under achieved many times, but we have thirty guys at the club who believe in each other and they have had to come through the pressure they have put on themselves.

"So even if today's result doesn't satisfy everybody else in the rugby world, it satisfies us."

Snow was due to fly home to Canada this morning, but was determined to make the most of the occasion at last night's club party.

"I've got to catch a plane from Heathrow at 6am, but I guarantee it will not interfere in any way with my celebrations," he said.

"I've been here six years and sometimes expectations don't come easy and that's certainly been the case with myself.

"It has been very difficult at times, but the past two years have been a joy. "I've always enjoyed myself at Newport.

"The supporters have been great, the management have been great and it's great to have achieved something at last.

"It will be nice to go down the street among the fans with our heads up high.

"The Newport fans are among the best anywhere."