Black & Ambers pushed all the way

NEWPORT secured a Tier Two Premiership play-off place after they ground out a tough win against strugglers Bargoed.

It was the Black & Ambers’ fifth straight league win as they control things at the summit of the second tier of Premiership rugby.

A penalty try, Llywarch ap Myrddin’s score and five points from young outside-half Arwel Robson proved enough for Newport with Bargoed’s points coming from a Lewys Lippiett try and six points from Matthew Lewis.

Robson got Newport off to a positive start with a well struck three points in the second minute.

But Bargoed settled well at Ystrad Mynach and heaped pressure on Newport who lost Robson to the sin-bin not long after.

The pressure failed to pay, though, and visiting flanker Rhodri Jones saw yellow after a minor punch-up.

Bargoed moved themselves ahead after the break with two quick-fire penalties from full-back Lewis but that lead would not last for long.

Newport bounced back and utilised their dominant scrum to force a penalty try in the 55th minute.

The momentum swung back the other way, though soon after as replacement hooker Lippiett bruised over for an unconverted try as they threatened to sneak the win.

But that was as good as it got for the hosts as Ap Myrddin stole the game for Newport after Tom Riley danced his way through the midfield to tee up the pacey back who did the rest to secure both the win and the play-off place.