NEWPORT CLINCH TITLE CELEBRATION

NEWPORT did what no other team has been able to do this season and beat Ebbw Vale when it mattered most at Eugene Cross Park to clinch the inaugural Super Rygbi Cymru title with a 27-18 triumph.

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It was a victory that set the seal on Newport's 150th anniversary celebrations and provided the perfect tribute to their former president Brian Jones, who died last month at the age of 89.

No team had been able to find the formula to beat the Steelmen on their home patch in 13 games prior to the Grand Final, but Newport half-backs Dafydd Buckland and Jac Lloyd dictated terms to guide their side to a victory that erased the bitter memories of losing last season’s Indigo Premiership final to Llandovery.

Ebbw Vale, who had been beaten by Llandovery in the SRC Cup final earlier in the season, came into the Grand Final with high hopes having remained unbeaten all season at home and overcoming Carmarthen Quins and Llandovery in the knock-out stages.

They had beaten the Black and Ambers twice at Eugene Cross Park already this season in league and cup, but were overpowered at Rodney Parade last month.