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Cardiff,   30 January 1988
Cardiff swept into a 23-3 lead 5 minutes into the second half even though Newport had as much of the play as Cardiff. The finishing of Cardiff was the difference. Adrian Hadley's pace swept him over for 2 tries, poor tackling from Newport as Cardiff inter-passed down the touchline allowed Ray Giles to crash over. When Mark Rowley charged over from a lineout early in the second half, Newport looked dead and buried but incredibly almost turned the tie on its head with a tremendous fightback. The pack won quality ball from all areas, fullback John Callard threatened every time he had possession and at times Cardiff were reeling. Newport pounced for two tries in 8 minutes as they hurled everything into all-out attacks. Callard and Marc Batten got both tries and more tries looked likely as Cardiff were forced to defend, looking a completely different side after their first half authority. Callard apart, the Newport backs lacked penetration and Newport failed to take their place kicking chances with Ricky Stewart missing 3 close range sitters which proved costly and the last word went to Mike Rayer with a penalty goal to seal victory for Cardiff.
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