"Editorial .... by Roger Panting"
"By the time the next Editorial is written Newport's relegation fate may have already been decided. Another disappointing defeat last Saturday against Llanelli effectively means that Newport must win their next two away games at Neath (27th December) and Bridgend (3rd January) to have any chance of avoiding demotion from the Premier League. Newport haven't an impressive record at The Gnoll, winning only once in recent seasons and losing 38-8 there last season in similar circumstances to those prevailing at present. Neath have improved considerably since their desperate start to the season and a fortnight ago champions Pontypridd were extremely fortunate to escape with a 22-22 draw at The Gnoll. Newport have a slightly better record at Bridgend, gaining a draw there last season, and on recent form displayed by Bridgend have a reasonable chance of success at The Brewery Field. Newport's only chance of survival is to overhaul ailing Bridgend, but at present Bridgend have a six-point advantage and have a vital home game against Ebbw Vale on 27th December. If Bridgend lost that encounter and the following week's, and Newport were successful at Neath, then if no bonus points were collected the gap would be down to only one point. The odds are against Newport but all is not yet lost and fortune must surely turn in the club's favour at some stage. Newport's forwards are a match for anyone in the league, but behind the scrum a match winner with pace and flair is badly needed. This season Paul John [Pontypridd), Arwel Thomas (Swansea], Gareth Thomas & Co [Cardiff), Wayne Proctor and Frano Botica (Llanelli) have all demonstrated to Newport their ability to unlock Newport's defence, but in contrast Newport, for all their possession and endeavour, lack the ability to do likewise. Cardiff could do with Newport's forwards, for their pack took another battering at the hands of Swansea last week. Welsh props Spencer John and David Young again went backwards at a rapid rate of knots in the scrum and the likes of Emyr Lewis and Steve Williams had no answers to the more motivated Stuart Davies and Rob Appleyard. In the short term Wales could do worse than recall both Davies and lock Paul Arnold, but the selectors will probably include them in the Emerging Wales XV. Sympathy must be extended to Gwyn Jones on his horrific injury, but his absence should pave the way for the return of Pontypridd's Martyn Williams, who has been in outstanding form in recent games."
"Today Newport can put their league worries away as they entertain Pwllheli from North Wales in the WRU Cup Competition. Pwllheli are presently lying third in Divsion 6B West behind Penygroes and Morriston. In the last round of the competition they defeated Vardre United 47-11 at home to join fellow North Walians, Wrexham in the 4th Round Draw. Other interesting ties include Cup holders Cardiff v Abercarn and Pontypridd v Bonymaen, with a remote chance of an upset at either Cwmllynfell v Neath or Garndiffaith v Bridgend. However, this season the odds are stacked heavily in favour of the Premier Clubs because in exchange for coming into the competition at an earlier stage the eight clubs have been seeded to meet in the Quarter Finals. Hence there is no possibility of a repetition of a Newport v Cardiff game being drawn in an early round, as was the case last season. The advent of professionalism has ensured that the gulf between the Premier sides and the teams in the lower division has widened and realistically only the likes of Caerphilly or Aberavon should trouble any of the premier sides. Cup surprises are at a premium and similar results to last season's Felinfoel 10 Pontypridd 90 and Cardiff 99 Dinas Powys 7 are likely to appear more regularly. Bonymaen are mid-table in Divison One but one can expect a 50-point reversal at Pontypridd and Abercarn will be successful if they keep Cardiff to under 75. What of Pwllheli's chances? Carl Sitene scored 4 tries in the last round and Mark Frost 22 points including 2 tries, but realistically are unlikely to follow Ystradgynlais and Penclawdd in providing ignominious Cup exits for Newport."
The game itself:-
Pwllhelli, who started this tie with four of their five New Zealanders and used the other as a 70th minute replacement, were gallant losers. Twice in the opening quarter the visitors held the lead through Kiwis full-back Mark Frost's 1st minute penalty and a splendid try 11 minutes later from centre Karl Siteine who was a hugely impressive figure throughout. The lead lasted until the 21st minute when Newport's scrummaging power led to the first of Jan Machacek's two pushover tries. Wingers Matthew Robinson and Martyn Llewellyn ran in corner tries and Alex Lawson landed two penalty goals and five conversions, one for a 29th minute penalty try. A back-peddling Pwllheli scrum was saved another conceded push-over when scrum half Graham Davies kicked the ball out of the Newport scrum.
Newport went into the second half with a comfortable 30pt cushion and further tries followed from Llewellyn - a 65 yard breakaway along the touchline and a try a-piece for replacements Richard Goodey and Shaun Connor. Pwllheli kept up their commitment and enthusiasm and were rewarded with a try from replacement Glyn Thomas.