Ty Morris: Newport have unfinished business after final woe

The Black and Ambers, who last won the title in 2004, were edged out 14-7 by Llandovery in a tense final at Church Bank.

Newport headed into the game on a 15-game winning streak but failed to take their chances with their solitary try coming from loosehead Josh Reynolds in the opening exchanges.

The Drovers secured back-to-back Premiership titles and did the double thanks to scores by their centre partnership of ex-Dragons favourite Adam Warren and Rhodri Jones.

The Black and Ambers will now lick their wounds before starting preparations to try and go one better in the inaugural Elite Domestic Competition to mark their 150th anniversary season.

THANKS: Newport were cheered on by a large travelling contingent at Llandovery (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

“I said to the boys straight after the game that as disappointing it was to lose, they can be incredibly proud of what they delivered this season,” said head coach Morris.

“We won 15 games in a row and played some exceptional rugby, while they learnt from day one to Llandovery.

“They were excellent right from the start of the season and I am so proud of them. We’ve got 90 per cent of the squad retained for next year and the challenge is to go one better.

“It does feel like unfinished business – I do desperately want to win the league.”

Newport finished the season as top scorers in the Premiership with 122 tries (average 5.1 per game) and 845 points (average 35.2).

They crossed the line six times when thumping Ebbw Vale 48-13 in the semi-finals but endured too many fruitless trips to the 22 at Church Bank.

“We misfired in attack and that isn’t like us. Whether we froze and the occasion got to us, I don’t know,” said Morris.

“What is most disappointing is that we didn’t fire our best shots at them, but having said that Llandovery deserve huge credit.

WINNERS: Llandovery acting captain Lee Rees lifts the Premiership trophy (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

“Their ability to recover after line breaks is phenomenal and at times it felt like there was 20 of them on the pitch.

“That was a game between two good teams who finished at the top of the league and credit to them for getting the win.

“It was a good arm wrestle with both teams at it but if I am honest I felt the TMO killed it at times, a bit like VAR in football, making it stop-start.

“The boys’ work rate and effort can never be questioned – that’s part of our DNA – but I just wish we had another five or 10 per cent in our attack, then we could have come away with the win.”

Newport will be joined by Gwent rivals Ebbw Vale and Pontypool in the new 10-team top tier, with details of EDC fixture blocks yet to be clarified by the WRU.