They reached the Welsh Cup S/F for the first time in 10yrs and hopes were high against Neath at Cardiff as wing Richard Rees scored direct from the kick off but Newport were cruelly robbed in the last few minutes by a penalty goal to go down 22 v 24.
During the season coach Paul Evans and fitness adviser Alex Laurie were sacked due to a succession of poor results. Ex-Welsh international Tommy David was appointed as Director of Rugby, former Newport and Wales flanker Alun Carter as performance advisor while Steve Jones continued as forwards coach. Later Stan Liptrot was appointed backs coach.
On the brighter side, second row Mike Voyle won his first Welsh cap as a replacement in Australia in June 1996. He also played for Wales A with back row Mark Workman while centres Duncan Hughes and Adam Palfrey played for Welsh Students.
Newport's Youth team lost by a single point in the cup final against Swansea and Ian Gough played for Wales Youth, David Bishop for Scotland Youth and Martin Davies for Wales U18.
David Waters made his 701st and final appearance in the last match of the season at Stradey Park, Llanelli and in the same match a star second row of the future, Ian Gough, made his debut as a replacement and so was on the field for the last 10 minutes with the legendary David 'Muddy' Waters.
Canadian international Gareth Rees broke Paul Turner?s points record with 398pts in 30 games and was instrumental in bringing Canadian prop Rod Snow to Newport. Rod Snow was to become one of the most popular players ever to don the famous Black & Amber shirt.
Top appearances were made by outside half Gareth Rees 30, centre Duncan Hughes 29, back row Mark Workman 27, while David Waters made 10 appearances to take him to the record 701. Wing Richard Rees scored 12 tries including a hat-trick against Tumble in the Welsh Cup.
