Blackwood win Worthington Ben Francis Cup Final

BLACKWOOD 32 NEWBRIDGE 18 

Blackwood won the Worthingtons Ben Francis Cup by defeating fellow Gwent Division One East club Newbridge in the tournament finale at Rodney Parade, Newport. 

The win justified the league positions as Blackwood were champions and Newbridge runners-up in that competition also. 

Both sides had lost their home meetings in the league but Blackwood won the try-count on this game 4-2 with better finishing than their rivals. 

The strong wind and cold did not make for good rugby and though both sides tried hard enough, a lot of the passing was wild on both sides. 

Newbridge led 10-3 after veteran Wales international Byron Hayward, now Newbridge coach, had kicked a penalty and converted a try by lock Jamie Noble against a penalty by Blackwood centre Gerwyn Price. 

After 28 minutes came a superb try as Blackwood wing David James tore over from a planned move. Price converted and on the stroke of half-time Blackwood took a 17-10 lead when James and Price worked it on to fly half Chris Wannell, whose try was improved by Price. 

A rare Hayward mistake saw the ball go down the throat of Blackwood full back Ryan Lee, who raced past the whole Newbridge team and Price converted, but Hayward immediately replied with a penalty. 

Back came Blackwood and after Rhys Buckley drove at the line, Adam Coupe was adjuged to have scored, but Hayward responded by sending wing Len Woodard in for Newbridge. 

Though Price kicked a penalty, it was Newbridge who mounted strong pressure to the end, but could not score. 

Teams.
Blackwood – Ryan Lee (Rhys Hallett 75); Trevor James (Anthony John 57), Gareth Price, Luke Knight, David James; Chris Wannell, Gavin Rees (capt) (Mark Birkby 45); Rhys Morgan (Jason Rogers 37-39), Rhys Buckley, Craig Nutt (Chris Poole 75), Gareth Rusby-Davies, Marc Gwilt, Adam Coupe, David Brake (Dean Gibbs 40), Andrew Coupe (Nathan Curtis 75).
Yellow Card – Andrew Coupe (18-28).
Tries – Ryan Lee, Chris Wannell, David James, Adam Coupe. Cons – Gareth Price 3. Pens – Gareth Price 2.
Newbridge – Ceri Young; Len Woodard, Geraint Langdon (James Quick 25-238), Jonathan Hawker, Tom Watkins; Byron Hayward, Rhys Griffiths (Gareth Betts 58); Jamie Cross (Will Griffiths 50), Darryl Williams (capt) (Craig Attwell 58), Lyn Williams, Jamie Noble, Scott Marusco, Lee Taylor (Jamie Cross 57-65), Ross Coombs, Nick Tucker.
Rep not used – Gary Wilks, Dan Tucker.
Yellow Cards – Scott Marusco (39-49), Lyn Williams (55-65).
Tries – Jamie Noble, Len Woodard. Con – Byron Hayward, Pens – Byron Hayward 2.
Referee – Nigel Whitehouse (Swansea).
Ends