INDIGO PREMIERSHIP REVIEW JD CYMRU PREMIER LEAGUE

NEWPORT’S play-off spot is now secure after they beat old rivals Cardiff 28-14 at Rodney Parade to make it nine consecutive bonus point victories in the Premiership.

Centre Chay Foster-Smith broke the deadlock on six minutes with a try converted by Matt O’Brien. That was the way it stayed until three minutes before the break when Newport lock Josh Skinner turned the key on the Cardiff defence to score, with O’Brien again converting. Scrum-half Che Hope bagged Newport’s third try just after the break following Foster-Smith’s interception, again converted by O’Brien.

Sean Moore responded for Cardiff with a try just before the hour after charging down a kick with Harrison James converting.

But the bonus point was in the bag for Newport when full-back

Jac Lloyd powered his way through for their fourth try which O’Brien again improved. It completed a league double for the season over Cardiff – who did bag a second try scored by centre Luke Pollock and converted by James. Newport remain 10 points back on Llandovery with a game in hand.

Pontypridd moved up to fifth in the table after they won 30-22 with a bonus-point at Swansea – in what was new interim head coach Chris Dicomidis’ first match in charge.

The Whites hit the front early on with a Rhys Jones penalty and then a try for prop Cameron Jones.

Fijian Nico Matawalu and Tom Edwards hit back with two unconverted tries in as many minutes for the visitors before Cameron Jones’ second try of the match, this time converted by Rhys Jones, edged Swansea back in front 15-10.

But Matawalu’s second try, again unconverted, meant it was level again heading into the break.

The bonus point was in the bag for Pontypridd when Macauley Cook scored their fourth try with Josh Phillips landing a touchline conversion.

Callum Bowden then hit back as Swansea responded almost immediately.

AS if to underline their dominance in the top-tier of Welsh domestic football this season, Craig Harrison’s JD Cymru Premier champions The New Saints fired home five goals against nearest rivals Connah’s Quay Nomads in a 5-1 away win.

All of the damage was done in the first-half, as goals from Josh Daniels, Ben Clark, Danny Davies and Jordan Williams sent The Saints into the break with a commanding lead. Then Declan McManus came off the bench to grab his 10th domestic goal of an injury ravaged campaign.

Adam Davies notched his 15th goal of the season to salvage a point for Caernarfon Town at Bala, leveling things up early in the second half at Maes Tegid.

The Lakesiders took the lead five minutes before the break thanks to a goal from George Newell.

Penybont closed the gap at the top of the Play-Off Championship to a single point as they went to table-topping Haverfordwest Rhys Jones’ conversion levelled matters again at 22-22.

Phillips then landed a penalty before Edwards bagged his second try of the afternoon for the Valley Commandos.

Cup finalists Merthyr edged a 10-try thriller at Aberavon 33-31.

Wing Morgan Meaclem opened the scoring two minutes in at the Talbot Athletic Ground. Josh Lewis converted. Further first-half tries from back rower Kian Evans and second row Craig Locke, the latter converted by Lewis, saw the visitors with their noses in front 19-12 at the interval. Frankie Jones, converted by James Davies, and then Stef Andrews had responded.

Jay Baker scored a third, unconverted, Aberavon try just after the restart but it wasn’t long before Merthyr were back up the other end scoring a bonus-pointwinning try courtesy of wing Adam Hoskins. Lewis’ conversion gave them a 26-17 lead. Aberavon then seized the lead through tries from Rhodri Hughes and Shay Smallman, both converted by Davies, to go 31-26 ahead. But it would be Merthyr who would have the final say with their fifth try scored and converted by Lewis.

Meanwhile full-back Edd Howley’s brace helped Bridgend Ravens see off Neath 32-23 at the Brewery Field.

Captain Zac O’Driscoll and scrum-half Chris Williams also scored in a bonus-point win for the hosts. Jamin Hodgkins kicked three conversions and two penalties.

Ryan Griffiths, Ryan Evans and Morgan Kneath scored for the visitors with Kristian Jones kicking two penalties and a conversion.

Elsewhere RGC held off a second half fightback to win 20-15 at Carmarthen Quins.

The visitors lead 20-0 at the break through Sam Stoddart and Afon Bagshaw tries, both converted by Sam Earl-Jones who also kicked a penalty and a drop goal.

Quins came back in the second half but ultimately had to settle for a losing bonus point.

County and came away with a 1-0 win.

That allowed Rhys Griffiths’ side to stay in the hunt for a play-off place for a shot at European football in the summer. Had they not been deducted six points they would have been well clear.

Nineteen-year-old Lewys Ware came up with the vital goal, only his second of the season, in the ninth minute and that was enough to settle matters.

Haverfordwest head to Penybont on the final day of the season for what could be a decisive game.

Colwyn Bay picked up a point at the death at Barry Town United thanks to a goal from Udo Akpan in the seventh minute of added time at Jenner Park. Lee Lucas gave the home side the lead just past the hour mark, but the Linnetts had to settle for a third successive draw in the end.

The game between Pontypridd and Aberystwyth Town was postponed due to the visitors not having a physiotherapist available.