Newport dedicate win to David Watkins, while Ebbw Vale lose to Merthyr

Prior to their triumphant win, Newport coach Ty Morris asked his players to dedicate their opening Indigo Premiership performance to the late rugby legend. 

Proud Pooler turned up with an army of fans at Rodney Parade and showed everyone exactly why they were invincible last season in winning the Admiral Championship title and the WRU Championship Cup. 

“We wanted to do Dai proud, as one of the greatest players to wear the Newport jersey.

"I asked the players before the game to ensure they could hold their heads up high by honouring his memory and also Henry Palmer, who was playing his 150th game for the club,” said Morris. 

“We were very good in the first half. We were clinical and took our opportunities well, but the second half turned into an arm-wrestle. 

Our discipline was poor after the break and we were on the wrong side of the penalty count 10-3. That’s something we’ll have to sort out.” 

Newport in action against Pontypool (Image: ncrphotography)

Newport in action against Pontypool. Picture: NCRPhotography

It was the first time in 11 years the two teams had met in a league fixture and all eyes were on Leighton Jones' side on the day they returned to the top-flight. 

They may not have won the game, but they showed they are going to be a great addition to the top flight and will be a joy for every club they visit with their large army of fans.

They picked up three tries in the match, led 17-12 midway through a helter-skelter first half and provided the man of the match in scrum-half Morgan Lloyd. The 20-year-old Dragons academy player was simply outstanding and had a hand in all three tries. 

Former Pooler wing Lloyd Lewis got the game off to a flying start with a 50-metre interception try and he also picked up another one in the first half. But while Newport took the lead, it was the fired-up visitors who quickly overtook them. 

Matthew Jarvis kicked a penalty and then converted a try by wing Ewan Rosser as he ran onto a great dink into the home 22 by Lloyd. 

Newport in action against Pontypool (Image: NCRPhotography)

Newport chase Pontypool. Picture 

Lewis's second try before Lloyd sent centre Joel Mahoney crashing over from a quick tap penalty to make it 17-12 to Pooler. It got even better when Jarvis kicked another penalty. 

But back came Newport with three tries before the break as Tom Davies, Ben Roach and Joe Westwood crossed. Matt O'Brien converted all three and Newport were 33-20 to the good at the interval. 

The pace had to slow down in the second half and Newport's progress was hindered as flanker Rhys Jenkins picked up a yellow card in the 56th minute and then again in the 72nd  to earn a red card.

After the glut of points in the opening half, there were only 12 to savour in the second half. 

Replacement prop Sa, Cochrane crashed over soon after Jenkins had departed for the first time and Jarvis added the extra.

Pontypool goes to ground in tackle from Newport (Image: NCRPhotography)

Pontypool goes to ground in a tackle from Newport. Picture: NCR Photography 

Then Westwood barged his way over for his second 12 minutes from time to complete a victory dedicated to the memory of the great Newport and Wales outside half Dai Watkins, who died at the weekend.  

Meanwhile, Ebbw Vale started their season off with a 24-17 loss to Merthyr. 

The Ironmen were cruising at the break have scored three tries without reply to lead 21-7. 

Adam Hoskins opened his account for the season in the second minute, and then Wales sevens cap Morgan Sieniawski grabbed a second after 28 minutes.

Both were converted by Gareth Thompson before a penalty try took them to a healthy interval lead. 

Ebbw Vale lose to Merthyr (Image: Merthyr RFC)

Ebbw Vale lose the opener to Merthyr, away at the Wern 38-17

But in the second half, it was the Steelmen who went on the offensive to hit back with three tries of their own.

They also restricted Merthyr to a single penalty to add to their total. 

Curtis Gregory, Ethan Phillips and Rhys Francis scored the tries for the visitors and Evan Lloyd added a conversion. Thompson added a penalty for Merthyr.