NEWPORT bagged a bonus-point victory against Bargoed in front of a bumper crowd at Rodney Parade in the Principality Premiership, writes Ben Catton.

Matt O’Brien was the star once again as he registered 19 points, just like he did at Carmarthen Quins last weekend, to help the hosts earn maximum points.

Newport, who suffered a heavy 35-14 home defeat to Bargoed last season, got off to a bad start as fly-half Josh Prosser found the posts with a successful penalty for Bargoed.

The hosts levelled the score after converting a penalty themselves just five minutes later with a perfectly placed kick from the boot of fly-half O’Brien.

Prosser and O’Brien traded penalties again to leave the score level before the first try of the match. It was a well-worked move from the Black and Ambers, finished off expertly by winger Jonny Morris.

O’Brien nailed his third penalty on 31 minutes and then released Morris into acres of space to find Chay Smith, who dived over the line to score a try on his 50th appearance for the club. O’Brien then registered his second conversion of the afternoon.

Bargoed had Prosser to thank for all nine of their first-half points, with the fly half kicking a third penalty on the stroke of half time.

Former Newport prop John Lavender scored Bargoed’s first try of the match from a driving line-out 15 minutes in to the second half.

But their joy was short-lived with Adam Powell sent to the sin-bin and Mathew Reed hit back to score Newport’s third try on the hour with the home side halting any attempt at a Bargoed comeback with O’Brien converting.

Elliot Frewen increased Newport’s points tally finishing off a great move to ensure a bonus-point victory for the home side in the 66th minute, again O’Brien converted.

Geraint Watkins scored Newport’s fifth and final try of the match, after Bargoed replacement Jordan Howells had been sent to the sin-bin, as the Black and Ambers strolled to a fantastic win in their first home match of the season.

But Bargoed did get two tries back before the final whistle through substitute Lewys Lippiett and Powell, but it counted for nothing as they left Rodney Parade empty-handed.

Newport: Tries: J Morris, C Smith, M Reed, E Frewen, G Watkins; Cons: M O’Brien (5); Pens: M O’Brien (3).

Bargoed: Tries: J Lavender, L Lippiett, A Thomas: Cons: J Prosser (3); Pens: J Prosser (3).