Newport 13-6 Pontypridd

Pontypridd’s run of wins on the road came to a disappointing end at Rodney Parade, but at least harvesting another valuable bonus point in defeat.

The deadlock in a close fought encounter was broken as home full back Shaun Connor slotted over a penalty with ten minutes gone. Ponty were competitive, but left to rue their own errors, particularly as former Sardis favourite Gareth Wyatt seized on a turnover of possession to cross for a crucial try, the score converted by Connor. Newport had done just enough to edge the first half contest, with an interval lead of 10pts to 0.

An exchange of penalties, with Bramwell scoring twice for Ponty each side of a solitary effort by Connor for Newport, kept the scoreboard ticking over during the third quarter of the match.

With Bramwell sin-binned in the sixty-fifth minute, Ponty just could not make the breakthrough to salvage anything from a hard fought contest. As Newport claimed the win by 13pts to 6, Ponty could at least wrap up the losing bonus point to take with them from Rodney Parade.

Pontypridd:

15.A Thomas. 14.C Clayton (M Nuthall). 13.G Dacey. 12.D Lockyer. 11.L Williams. 10.A Bramwell. 9.R Downes.

1.S Hobbs. 2.R Williams (H Dowden). 3.P Palmer. 4.R Savage (G Harrington). 5.C Dicomidis. 6.K Dacey (R Lloyd). W O’Connor. N Strong - cpt.