NEWPORT’S play-off hopes took a blow at Church Bank where fifth placed Llandovery proved just a bit too strong for the fighting visitors, writes Huw S Thomas.

The Black and Ambers trailed 30-8 at half-time but to their great credit came storming back with three second-half tries to not only to get within the crucial eight points but also gain a second bonus point for four tries.

“Those two points could be vital for us come the end of the season,” said Newport secretary Dennis Bennett.

Such is the tightness at the top of the Principality Premiership that the Black and Ambers slip down the table from second to fourth with just four games to play.

They still have the one vital game in hand over most of their rivals in the fight for a top-three spot but have two difficult away games left at defending champions Pontypridd and Cross Keys.

Llandovery wing Sam Soul was caught in possession feet from the Newport line but made up for it when he put other wing Lex Botha in wide out, fly-half Jack Maynard converting well.

The Drovers were full of good intent and Newport had to defend hard, but the away side’s cause was not helped by flanker Rhodri Jones getting a yellow card for reckless play at the breakdown.

A rolling maul brought the Drovers a penalty try and there was further anguish for Newport when flanker Brendan Lampitt was also yellow-carded after an off the ball incident.

Full-back Will Thomas then burst clear to send in Botha for his second converted try before Newport responded at last when scrum-half Ryan James came close to a score until he was bundled into touch in a rare attack.

They did score from a lineout drive, Lampitt getting the touchdown and fly-half Matt O’Brien converting to bring some comfort.

But the Drovers soon had the bonus point in the bag when Maynard dummied through just before the break to make it 30-8.

A converted try from centre Wes Cunliffe gave Newport hope momentarily and for a while they looked ready to cut the deficit even further with more possession.

Lock Adam Brown tried hard to rally the troops but a try in the corner from centre Matthew Jacobs put Llandovery clear.

When home hooker Dafydd Hughes was yellow-carded, the Newport pack took control and wing Jon Morris went over wide out.

The O’Brien conversion made it 36-24 and in an exciting finish the Black and Ambers threw everything they had at the tottering home defence for Rhodri Jones to get the two vital bonus points after sustained pressure.

Llandovery: W Thomas; L Botha (T Ball 80), M Jacobs (capt), R Jones, S Soul ( J Cowley h/t and C Woodall 65); J Maynard, L Rees (R Davies 66); W Jones (D Howells 78), D Hughes, C Cunniffe (R P Jones h/t) , P Day, M Harbut (B Griffiths 68), S Worrall, R Brooks (R Rees 41-44), S Miles (R Rees 66)

Llandovery – Tries: L Botha (2), Pen try, J Maynard, M Jacobs, Cons: J Maynard (2)

Newport: L Ap Myrddin; J Morris, P King (A Robson 79), W Cunliffe, E Frewen (H Palmer 66); M O’Brien, R James; M Prosser (J Lavender h/t), W Evans (E Whitson 70) A Jeffries (F Young 70), D Partridge, A Brown (capt), R Jones, B Lampitt (R Jenkins h/t), C Attwell (J Goodey 77)

Newport – Tries: B Lampitt, W Cunliffe, J Morris, R Jones, Cons: M O’Brien (3)

Referee: Dan Jones

Argus star man: Adam Brown (Newport)