NEWPORT made it three wins from four in the Principality Premiership with a hard-earned victory over Bedwas at Rodney Parade, writes Jay Bayford.

The Black and Ambers bagged three tries before the break but they missed out on a bonus point as they couldn’t add a fourth in the second half.

The hosts made an impressive start as they camped themselves in the visitors’ 22 before Jon Morris found a bit of space on the right wing to crash over in the corner for his third try in as many games.

Newport continued to see plenty of the ball but were almost architects of their own downfall when Dai Evans intercepted Matt O’Brien’s pass and sprinted towards the try line. He outpaced his chasers except for Kyle Tayler, who ate up the yards to deny him with a thunderous tackle.

The game became more open with both teams testing each other and it was Bedwas who added the next score through the boot of Jacob Chilcott.

Newport remained unnerved and that was evidenced when O’Brien went for the corner rather than the posts moments later. And that decision was justified when captain Rhys Jenkins touched down after a well-worked driving maul.

This time O’Brien was on target with the conversion.

Newport started to put some nice passing moves together but it was the strength of centre Tom Pascoe that created their third try as he broke through the middle of the pitch before offloading to winger Elliot Frewen, who evaded a desperate challenge to touch down.

But Bedwas’ response was emphatic as they piled players on the right flank giving Kane Teear-Bourge an easy try.

A cagey second half sparked to life after a mini bust-up on the pitch saw Bedwas’ James Richards and home flanker Josh Skinner both sent to the sin-bin. O’Brien added a penalty not long after to extend Newport’s lead.

The Black and Ambers came close to a bonus-point clinching try on numerous occasions but it just evaded them with Will Evans’ frustrations earning him a late yellow card.

Bedwas then managed to salvage a losing bonus point when Chilcott converted Luke Crane’s last-gasp try.

Newport: Tries: J Morris, R Jenkins, E Frewen; Cons: M O’Brien (2); Pen: M O’Brien.

Bedwas: Tries: K Teear-Bourge, L Crane; Cons: J Chilcott (2); Pen: J Chilcott.