LEFT-WING Jordan Rees was once again the scourge of Newbridge as the visitors were knocked out of the WRU National Cup at the first round stage by 14-man Rhydyfelin, writes Carl Field.

Rees bagged himself a brace of tries to inspire the hosts to a 17-0 win in the Championship meeting between the sides on October 21 – and he was at the double once again on Saturday to ensure his team ran out victors.

It was Rhydyfelin’s first ever game in the National Cup having been promoted to the Championship at the end of last season, while Newbridge’s wait for a maiden success in the competition since 2014 goes on.

Aside from a defeat at runaway league leaders Pontypool in their last outing, Newbridge had been on a decent run of form with four straight wins before that.

They will have been disappointed not to have made their numerical advantage pay after a mass brawl only 10 minutes in saw Rhydyfelin go a man down.

Tighthead prop Kelvyn Williams was shown a red card while home number eight Sam Studley and Newbridge prop Scott Norton-Hoskins were both yellow carded.

Rhydyfelin are no strangers to a good cup run having reached the final of the National Plate back in 2013 and it was they who edged a tight first half with very few try scoring opportunities and what can best be described as a war of attrition.

A penalty from full-back Dai Gratton was all that separated the sides at half-time as the hosts led 3-0.

The first try arrived just after the break and was scored for Rhydyfelin by wing Rees, although it went unconverted.

The Rhydyfelin pack were on top in the second half and the second try, just like the first, came from a home scrum.

Another break down the blindside saw Rees once again finishing off the move, and the conversion was missed again.

Gareth Young was also sin-binned in the closing stages but by that point it was too late to affect the result.

It means Newbridge are, byes aside, without a win in the cup since they triumphed 19-17 at Pontypool back in the 2013/14 season.

Scorers: Rhydyfelin – Tries: J Rees (2); Pen: D Gratton

Rhydyfelin: D Gratton; A Baker, L Waygood, R Lucas (capt), J Rees; L Smith, G Lucas; D Green, S Pritchard, K Williams, K Briggs, C Bushell, R Phillips, L Studley, S Studley

Reps: M Jones, G Cann, K Perry, L James, F Quirke, C Farrer, M Tyler

Newbridge: L Hudd; T James, P King, S Williams, R Evans; S Veall, T Bainton; M Kavanagh, A Isgrove, S Norton Hoskins, A Symons (capt), J Duffy, C Francis, L Morgan, A Hughes

Reps: C Hicks, G Young, G Price, C Jones, W Cunliffe, J Edwards, J Kedward

Newbridge star man: Luke Morgan