Newport were unable to progress beyond the pool rounds in 1981 by virtue of losing the decisive match against Leicester. They had already accounted for Penarth and Newbridge but were overcome by Leicester 18-6. Leicester then beat Llanelli in the S/F 28-18 before losing to Cardiff in the final 20-6. Robert Norster was outstanding for Cardiff with his ball winning skills but the Everson Award went to Cardiff scrum-half Gwynfor Williams who scored one of the three Cardiff tries in the final. The other tries were scored by Rhodri Lewis and skipper David Barry.

Penarth 14-4 W
Newbridge 24-0 W
Leicester 6-18 L