The experiment of playing reserve 2nd row Mike McKenzie at loose-head was a disaster and Jim Dale was forced to switch from tight head in the 2nd half. While McKenzie was at loose-head, Newport lost 6 strikes against the head but only one was lost after Dale had switched and Thorne did well under difficult circumstances. Newport backs wasted the few chances they had and a times Keih James was unsure whether or not to run, kick or pass! The three-quarters never functioned and were often caught out with overlaps with two of Aberavon?s tries coming in this way.