NEWPORT returned to winning ways with a deserved victory over Bargoed under the floodlights at Rodney Parade, writes Jay Bayford.

The Black and Ambers narrowly lost to title hopefuls Carmarthen Quins on Saturday but bounced back to bag maximum points.

Bargoed got the first points on the board when full-back Matthew Lewis fired a close-range penalty through the posts.

Newport counterpart Geraint O’Driscoll had two chances to respond – one from near the halfway line – but both attempts failed to deliver points.

The hosts enjoyed plenty of possession and were, at one point, camped inside the Bargoed 22, but repeated infringements from the visitors continued to keep Newport out.

However, the visitors did not take their warnings with referee Ben Breakspear eventually sending prop Rhys Morgan to the sin-bin.

It took Newport less than two minutes after his dismissal to hit back with Breakspear awarding them a penalty try.

The momentum remained with the Black and Ambers and with the confidence back they started to throw the ball around with more purpose, which eventually led to winger Jon Morris darting over the line in the corner. O’Driscoll’s conversion attempt failed to reach the posts.

The second half began with Newport, still, asking all the questions. And after a superb driving maul saw them move within metres of the try line, a quick pass out to Morris handed him his second try. But O’Driscoll’s form from the tee continued with another missed conversion.

The hosts then made the game safe on 69 minutes thanks to another driving maul. This time the ball found its way to lock Joe Bartlett, who added to his try at the weekend to give Newport the bonus point. Matt O’Brien, who had replaced Haydn Simons, curled in the conversion after taking over kicking duty.

Replacement Henry Palmer had the last word of the night with Newport’s fifth try.

Newport: Tries: Pen Try, J Morris (2), J Bartlett, H Palmer; Con: M O’Brien.

Bargoed: Pen: M Lewis.