BEDWAS kept alive their hopes of going one better than last year in the Foster's Challenge Cup by taking the spoils 20-9 in their winner-takes-all group encounter with Newport.

The duo met at Rodney Parade on Wednesday for the right to take top spot from Cross Keys in the three-team pool for a place in the semi-finals.

Newport had triumphed convincingly when the sides had met at Bridge Field earlier in the tournament but Bedwas, beaten by Pontypridd in a thrilling final in 2015/16, turned the tables.

The Black and Ambers opened the scoring through the boot of fly-half Matt O'Brien approaching the half hour but the visitors responded swiftly with wing Rory Budina sprinting down the right flank for a try that Richard Powell improved.

It was 7-3 to Bedwas at the break and it continued to be tight in the second half with O'Brien nudging Newport closer with another penalty just past the hour.

Powel responded only for the home fly-half to add a third successful kick to make it a one-point game going into the closing stages.

However, with four minutes left Bedwas struck for a second try with centre Adam Williams breaking through from 30 metres.

Powell converted to secure the spoils at 17-9 and added some gloss with a late penalty.

Bedwas will be joined in the draw for the semi-finals by Bridgend, Carmarthen Quins and Merthyr.

The last of that quartet had won the group including Ebbw Vale and Bargoed before Wednesday night's fixtures, which saw the Bulls take on the Steelmen in a match switched to Eugene Cross Park because of floodlights problem.

Bargoed headed into the game on the back of a fine league win against Newport and a Challenge Cup success against Pontypridd at Sardis Road.

They made light of the loss of home advantage to maintain their momentum with a 30-15 success.

Bargoed's tries came from Callum Jones, Lewis Lippiett and Craig Wilson, along with a penalty try, while Joel Harries and Steffan Thomas went over for Ebbw.