First-half blitz seals tough success for Newport

NEWPORT did just enough in the first half to claim what in the end was a hardfought win against a dogged Bargoed side.

They took the lead on 10 minutes when Kyle Tayler made a clean break from 40 metres to ground under the sticks, Matt O’Brien easily converting.

Matthew Lewis got a penalty back for Bargoed but that was their only score in the first half.

Newport though kept up the pressure and a fine passing move ended up with Elliot Frewen being sent over in the corner for their second try of the afternoon. O’Brien’s conversion attempt was wide.

Henry Palmer then dived over for Newport’s third try, O’Brien converting before adding a penalty just before the break to put them 22-3 up at the halftime whistle.

The home side came storming out in the second half and Newport were caught napping when Bargoed got an early try through Lewis Bowden, Matthew Lewis converting.

It took them almost half an hour to get another, and that was when they were a man down after James Pizey was yellow carded for a repeat offence.

Geraint Clarke’s clean break put Bargoed back into the game with a try under the sticks, James Hallett converting to put them just five points behind.

However Newport sealed their victory in the final minute with a long-range Haydn Simons’ penalty goal.