NEWPORT booked themselves a Premiership Tier Two play-off place after a hard-fought 15-11 victory over Bargoed at a sun-kissed Ystrad Mynach, writes Iwan Gabe Davies.

The Black and Ambers chalked up their fifth consecutive league victory to maintain top spot in the table and their stellar form, but they left it late to take all four points.

The city side also avenged their 17-16 defeat to Bargoed in early January just before the league was split in two.

This clash was moved a few miles down the Rhymney Valley from Bargoed Park to the Centre of Excellence 3G pitch because of building work carried out at the home team's ground.

Newport opened the scoring early on in front of a healthy crowd when outside-half Arwel Robson slotted over a well struck penalty in only the second minute.

There was precious little of note in an error-strewn opening quarter, although it was Bargoed, despite being given a torrid time in the scrum, who were the better side at the training base of the Newport Gwent Dragons despite trailing.

The hosts pounded the Rodney Parade side's try-line at the opening of the second quarter after Robson was yellow carded as Newport's penalty county mounted under pressure.

But Bargoed failed to make the most of their advantage and glorious opportunity, excellent full-back Llywarch ap Myrddin going preciously close to scoring a fine individual try at the other end.

Frustrations boiled over before half-time, which ended 3-0, when an all mighty fist fight broke out, visiting blindside flanker Rhodri Jones somewhat fortuitous to receive just a yellow card for a decent punch that Anthony Joshua would be proud of next weekend.

Bargoed, inspirationally led by their hooker Leigh Meades, started the second 40 minutes strongly and were soon in the lead after two quick-fire penalties from their full-back Matthew Lewis.

The visitors started to roll up their sleeves and use their powerful scrum to dominate and were awarded with a penalty try in the 55th minute which was converted for a 10-6 lead.

But fiery Bargoed hit back and regained the lead when replacement hooker Lewis Lippiat powered over for an unconverted try after they went through the phases.

With five minutes to go, a superb break by Black and Ambers centre Tom Riley carved the opposition apart before he fed ap Myrddin who finished off in style to win the game with an unconverted try.

They are now in pole position for a home draw with two matches to go while Bargoed's play-off homes are seriously dented but not over after picking up just a losing bonus point.

Bargoed: M Lewis; D Dyer, A Norton, D Humphries, D Evans; C Jones, M Bancroft (J Pizey 58); R Morgan (A Gardner-Key 57), L Meades (capt) (L Lippiet 57), K Brown (J Williams 57), J Jacas (J Locke 45), B Morgan, A Coupe, L Blacker, L Weyman (R Coombs 27).

Scorers: Try: L Lippiat; Pens: M Lewis (2).

Newport: L Ap Myrddyn; J Morris, T Riley, T Pascoe, E Frewen; A Robson (M O'Brien 67), R James (O Leonard 67); N Boyce (M Prosser 59), W Evans (H Palmer 57), G Harris (T Piper 59), A Brown (capt), D Partridge (D Mock 65), R Jones, K Tayler, R Jenkins.

Scorers: Tries: Penalty try, L ap Myrddin; Con: A Robson; Pen A Robson.

Referee: Gareth John (WRU)

Argus star man: Llywarch ap Myrddin