Newport came away with the points in a dramatic M4 derby at the Arms Park.
But it was Cardiff who took control of the game in the first half. The first quarter was a very tactical game with both sides striving to gain an advantage. The Blue & Blacks score the first try of the game as a kick over the top by Newport landed in Harrison James’ hands in his own half. The outside half looked as if he was going to kick, but jinked back inside to beat several defenders. When the ball was recycled it was worked to Joe Goodchild who raced into the Black and Ambers twenty-two before being hauled down. Cardiff though had numbers wide and swiftly transferred the ball across the line where Dewi Cross was waiting. He beat the final defender and rounded off under the posts. James converted.
And James was on target with the only other score of the half as he landed a penalty to send the home side in 10-0 up. Newport responded early in the second half. A long period with the ball saw them move up the field steadily and when they got close to the line Alex Grey went over. Matt O’Brien added the extras and was on target when he levelled the scores with a close-range penalty,
Newport too the lead shortly after when a lineout was driven towards the Cardiff line. The recycled ball was moved one way then the other and that created space for Lloyd Lewis to score. Cardiff responded with five minutes left . a kickable penalty was run straight at the Newport line by Morgan Allen. When he was stopped short Joe Peard was on hand to crash over. James added the conversion to put Cardiff ahead.
But the dramatic twist can with a few minutes left. Newport had driven the ball into the Cardiff twenty-two. O’Brien sat in the pocket but his kick drifted wide. That wasn’t the end though as Newport came again. O’Brien sat in the pocket again, this time a bit further out and slotted the drop goal to win the match for the Black and Ambers