Newport Saracens 29 Ystrad Rhondda 21

SATURDAY was a big day for the Saracens. Apart from the Konica Minolta Cup tie itself, it was their first game at their new home at Maesglas - having taken a 50-year lease on the ground.

They could also bring a little experience to bear - with a certain Jason Forster, that battle-hardened back-row veteran, who was making his debut after joining the Sarries from Rotherham.

Ultimately, it would be his experience and nous, together with his number eight and captain Ross Madden, that would decide the game.

The visitors had the first- half advantage of a strong wind, and led 16-5 as the first half moved into injury time. It had been a good performance, and the Ystrad backs had looked much more dangerous than their opposite numbers, with fly-half Wayne Jervis pulling the strings.

However, the referee made it a test of stamina, finding 10 minutes of added time before blowing the half-time whistle. In that spell, the Saracens grabbed a converted try to make it 16-12.

With the advantage of the wind in the second half, and with the old head of Forster making sure that there was no panic in the ranks, the Newport side took control in the first 15 minutes of the second half.

Their forwards started to take charge and, while the scores were not pretty, two converted tries and a penalty within 20 minutes took them into a 29-16 lead.

The final score, an unconverted try by Wayne Jervis, was merely a consolation for Ystrad Rhondda. Jervis actually went through the card and collected 16 points.

Saracens scorers: Tries - Ross Madden, Morgan Lovell, Scott Marasco, Lee Edwards; penalty - Darren Greig; conversions - Darren Greig (3).

Ystradrhondda scorers: Tries - Harry Allen, Wayne Jervis; con - W Jervis; penalties - Jervis (2); dropped goal: Jervis.