The second half of the season only saw 4 further defeats (all away) at Neath, Gloucester, Ebbw Vale and Aberavon. The last defeat and the 22 v 22 draw with the Barbarians meant that Newport had to be content with the runners-up position in the Welsh Unofficial Championship for the second season running. They did however win the Merit Table and the Anglo-Welsh Merit Table.
Any disappointment at missing out on the Unofficial Championship by a mere 0.53% soon disappeared on Saturday 30th April 1977 when Newport defeated their old rivals Cardiff in their Welsh Cup Final with second row Ian Barnard winning the Man Of the Match award in front of 35,000 people. Acting captain and Englishman Colin Smart proudly lifted the cup at Cardiff Arms Park.
Captain David Burcher was selected for the British Lions tour to New Zealand along with co-centre Gareth Evans while No 8 Jeff Squire later joined them as a replacement. David Burcher also played his role in Wales's Triple Crown success.
Leighton Davies scored in all 38 of his appearances to be top scorer with 257pts. Ken Davies was again top try scorer with David Burcher and Gareth Evans on 16 tries. 49 players were used for the 42 games with David Rogers (39), Leighton Davies (38) and Colin Smart (35) making most appearances.
