A picturesque finish from Joe Goodchild secures Cardiff derby win
After last weekend’s disappointment in front of the S4C cameras at the Arms Park, Dan Fish’s men ended 2024 like they started it with a win over a Gwent side. Tries from Nathan Hudd, Sean Moore, Alun Rees, Joe Goodchild and a brace from Elijah Evans saw the Blue and Blacks gain revenge over their oldest rivals 36-30.
Just like last week’s opening it was an edgy and nervy opening quarter with both sides having opportunities to break the deadlock but some great defending from both was the reason for no scores.
However, that changed as Player of the Match from last week’s encounter, Jac Lloyd slotted three points from the tee after the visitors were penalised for not rolling away. Moments later the Blue and Blacks responded quickly with a try from Nathan Hudd. This came after a catch and drive and the openside powered over for his first try of the season and that score meant he has now scored 50 points as a Blue and Black.
Momentum seemed to be changing, and it was in favour of the visitors, with great vision from Harri Wilde. After a cross-field kick from the outside-half, it played into the hands of Jason Harries who offloaded back inside for Elijah Evans to crossover.
After having his first attempt at adding the extras earlier, this time around Wilde added the extras to extend the visitors lead to nine just prior to the 30-minute mark. This was then followed with a replacement as Nathan Hudd went off injured, which resulted in Aled Ward coming on for his tenth game.
The visitors added to their already substantial lead minutes later as captain, Sean Moore was next to cross the whitewash, and this came from a misplacement from the hosts.
It went from bad to worse for the hosts as two minutes they were reduced to 14-men as Oli Andrew was sent off for ten minutes after taking Joe Goodchild out in the air. Then from the kick into the corner, a catch and drive followed and hooker, Alun Rees crossed for his fifth of the season to put his side into a 21-point lead.
Prior to halftime, Jac Lloyd threw a brilliant pass to Lloyd Lewis who crossed over in the corner for the hosts first of the afternoon as they reduced the deficit to 14 points at the break.
HT: Newport 10-24 Cardiff
The Blue and Blacks found themselves in the hosts 22, which came from Ethan Lloyd’s break, but it was turned over by his opposite number Dafydd Buckland, who put the hosts on the front foot after a superb run from distance.
The ball was eventually spread to the outside, and Oli Andrew crossed over in the corner. Momentum now seemed most definitely in favour of the Black and Ambers, and after a pass back inside from replacement Matt O’Brien, Lloyd Lewis crossed over for his brace on 51 minutes.
The visitors then were not granted the restart as referee Ben Connor awarded the hosts a penalty, and from the halfway line, Jac Lloyd brilliantly added the three points, which put Newport back into the lead. It got worse for the Blue and Blacks as replacement Tom Harper was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle. Despite being down a man, the visitors were next to score.
This came after the hosts fumbled possession and then Elijah Evans who had dropped onto the wing showed his pace as he put his side back in front going into the final ten minutes. The Blue and Blacks went hunting for their sixth, with five minutes left on the clock. The ball was spread quickly through the Blue and Blacks hands, and Joe Goodchild replicated his Cup Final try against Newport to cross in the corner. Wilde added the extras as Cardiff went into an 11-point lead.
That lead, however, was reduced as deep into injury time, Oli Andrew crossed over in the corner to score the hosts fourth of the afternoon. Despite still having time for the restart, it proved insufficient as Cardiff gained revenge from last weekend and ended 2024 with a 36-30 win.
FT: Newport 30-36 Cardiff