NEWPORT RFC have started their Indigo Premiership campaign with a win against long-awaited rivals at Rodney Parade.

Pontypool fans salivated at the chance to mark their return to the top flight with an upset at Newport's former home.

A sombre tone muffled the excitement when the stadium announcer paid tribute to David “Dai” Watkins, the former Newport RFC, Wales and British Lions captain, who has died at the age of 81.

Newport winger Lloyd Lewis opened the scoring inside four minutes with a punishing reminder of the pace Pooler will come up against in the Indigo Prem.

Either side of the early try, it was the travelling fans who made most of the noise. And despite a second try from Lewis, and the threat of a third, Pooler held the lead after half an hour of play.

Tries from Tom Davies, captain Ben Roach and Joe Westwood turned the game and gave Newport a 13-point advantage at half-time.

With Newport against the ropes, Pooler managed to close the gap to six points - only for Joe Westwood to score his second and see the Black and Ambers over the line.

Historic night

Pooler captain Scott Matthews – absent from the action due to injury – joined fans in the excitment, describing the fixture as the best possible stage for the club to mark its return to the top flight.

"Gwent rugby needs games like these, and we will be going all out to give a good account of ourselves," said the skipper before the match. “There will be plenty of pride and passion for us and there couldn't be a better stage to start on, or a better team to play against, in our first game back."

Newport hooker Henry Palmer said he was "buzzing" to mark his 150th appearance in Black and Amber at Rodney Parade.

Newport RFC director Dennis Bennett said: “Everyone has anticipated this game, our supporters and I’m sure Pontypool’s supporters, too.

“We are always great rivals and it’s great to see Pontypool back so we can continue that rivalry.”

The first fixture between Newport RFC and Pontypool RFC in February 1876 predates the formation of the Welsh Rugby Union by five years.

It has been 12 years since the last edition of the fixture at Rodney Parade, a fiercely contested battle which Newport won 36-20, each side picking up two yellow cards and the visitors’ Luke Dyckhoff seeing red.

Pooler have just one week before hosting Swansea on Saturday, September 9, while Newport can shift focus to their trip to Colwyn Bay on September 16.