Newport were forced to make 9 changes from the team that played the All Blacks with 7 players dropping out through illness or injury . Robin Williams (knee), Gareth Talbot (thigh), David Rogers (shoulder), Gerwyn Williams (ankle), Jeff Watkins (knee), John Jeffrey (gastric flu) and Paul Watts (hand. On top of this Newport?s jerseys went astray and they were forced to wait for the ?United?s? jerseys to be sent from their game played locally. One the delayed game got underway Newports cup hopes were soon dashed by a powerful and resilient Swansea side. Although Swansea were reduced to 14 men in the 2nd half, they piled on the pressure. Without detracting from Swansea's 2nd half performance, it was expecting too much for a Newport victory but they did take the game to Swansea in 1st half and led at the interval by a Clive Jenkins drop goal.

In the 2nd half Newport?s effort began to weaken, and Swansea despite being without centre Arwel Rees who went off with a leg injury took command. Geoff Wheel and Mervyn Davies were powerful figures in the Swansea pack and Darryl Cole was an incisive runner. Swansea ran away with the game and won comfortably 24 - 3.