Yet despite their recent run of good form, the Black & Ambers will be playing in the second half of the competition from next month after failing to reach the top eight. The north Walians are safely into the top-tier having won nine games and drawn another in their first-half.
The Black & Ambers still have to go to Bargoed for the final round of the first phase of the Premiership this weekend, but they cannot now catch Ebbw Vale on 38 points in eight place. Seven teams are now confirmed for the title race, with the Steelmen and Cardiff, on 36 points, set to fight it out for the final spot.
Reigning champions Ebbw Vale host Cross Keys at the weekend, with Cardiff entertaining Bedwas in a must-win encounter following their defeat last weekend at Eugene Cross Park.
RGC scored first to take a 7-0 lead through the first of two tries from centre Tom Hughes, but Newport hit back almost immediately with the first of their five tries on the night from Rhys Jenkins. Arwel Robson levelled the scores with his conversion before RGC went down to 13 men for a while with No 8 Huw Worthington and veteran prop Phil John both sent to the sin-bin in quick succession.
Newport made the most of their advantage and picked up a penalty try at scrum time which Robson converted to give the Black & Ambers a lead they were never to lose. Cross cut the gap with a penalty, but full back Llywarch ap Myrddin then crossed for the third home try of the night.
Robson converted and then added a penalty after Hughes second try for RGC , which was once again converted by Cross, to make it 24-17 at the break. Robson extended the lead with a penalty at the start of the final quarter before Dan Partridge brought up the bonus point with his side’s fourth try.
Matt O’Brien added the extras this time and did the same after providing the scoring pass to replacement second row Daniel Mock for a fifth try that helped to make it 41-17 in the end.
