Percy Montgomery?s flawless kicking saw Newport into the final just 1 week after a humiliating defeat at the Brewery Field by 65-21. Craig Warlow and Gareth Thomas scored tries for Bridgend but Monty?s boot won the day with 9 out of 9 successful kicks in a match where the lead changed hand 6 times. Two Monty penalties gave Newport a 6-0 lead but then former Newport fullback Gareth Cull kicked a penalty and fly-half Craig Warlow scored a try for Cull to convert. Monty added his 3rd penalty before Cull restored Bridgend?s lead with his penalty. Monty then punished the Bridgend pack?s indiscipline to make it 15-13 to Newport at HT.

Monty?s 6th penalty opened up a 8pts lead but then Bridgend No 8 Richard Bryan charged down Shane Howarth?s chip and the ball was turned over in the ensuing ruck for Gareth Thomas to outpace Mike Voyle to the line. Cull converted to give Bridgend the lead 20-18. Thomas foolishly conceded a penalty and Monty kicked his 7th before Cull kicked another penalty to make the score 23-21 to Bridgend. In a nail biting final 20 mins cool Monty kicked two further penalties for a final score of 27-23 in Newport?s favour and so reach the Cup Final for the second time in 3 years.