A GUTSY Rasputin-like Newport gave champions Pontypridd a real fright but were just edged out in a pulsating match at Rodney Parade that could have gone their way.

The reigning Premiership holders haven't lost a league game since the end of January but were pushed to the limit in a super encounter.

Things had looked rather ominous for Black and Ambers when they trailed 30-8 early in the second half, but they rallied magnificently and with the visitors reduced to 13 men in the dying minutes after receiving two yellow cards, a famous win looked on the cards.

But it was not meant to be as Ponty held on despite being on the ropes.

The Black and Ambers finished bottom of the table after a miserable campaign last season, but this is a different animal, mixing, grunt up front, no shortage of guts mixed with the ability to play some sparkling rugby.

Newport started well with full back Llywarch Ap Myrddin carving open the Ponty defence after five minutes only for his pass to wing Elliot Frewen to go forward.

But they were soon in the lead when Wes Cunliffe romped home from 20 metres on his debut after he was given space by a smart inside pass.

Outside half Arwel Robson's conversion put the hosts 8-0 up.

They could have gone further ahead after some magical work by Frewen created space, but his pass went forward with the visitors at sixes and sevens again.

But Ponty soon got their act together and were camped in the home 22.

They crossed all too easily from a driving lineout in the 20th minute, hooker Ashleigh James getting the try, 2005 Wales Grand Slam winner Ceri Sweeney's conversion attempt just failing to go over after coming off an upright.

Some good carrying work by Black and Ambers No 8 Brendan Lampitt ended up with Newport winning good field position and they turned down a shot at goal in front of the posts to run the ball.

It was an error, because they were soon turned over and the champions snuffed out the danger.

The home team continued to press but again lost possession at the breakdown when they threatened to extend their advantage.

It was the more clinical and direct visitors who did get the breakthrough however when the front row union led the way again, loosehead prop Corey Domachowski crashing over from close range, Sweeney nailing the difficult touchline conversion for a 14-8 lead just before half-time.

The hosts' scrum was destroyed on their own put just five metres from their line and Ponty were awarded a penalty try after Newport had pulled down another driving lineout, blindside flanker Rhys Jenkins being yellow carded to rub salt in the wound as the two sides went into the interval with 14 points separating them.

It took Pontypridd just two minutes to wrap up their bonus point when James got his second try as the visiting eight again took on Newport up front, Sweeney's conversion making it 30-8.

Newport battled to get back into the game after being blitzed for the last 25 minutes and were given hope when Ponty lock Jordan Sieniawski was yellow carded for infringing at a ruck.

The hosts capitalised immediately when the promising Robson ghosted through the defence and fed centre Barney Nightingale who crossed under the posts for a converted try.

Newport scrum half Ryan James' smart interception try of his opposite number Joel Raikes' pass from a defensive scrum five reduced Ponty's lead to 30-22, the conversion sailing wide.

Pontypridd flanker and captain Rhys Shellard settled his side's nerves after he crossed in the corner before Newport replacement back rower Craig Attwell again gave the Black and Ambers optimism with a converted try as they clawed the score back to 36-30.

But again Ponty's forwards got their side in a great position and blindside flanker Wayne O'Connor looked to have made the game safe when he powered over for another close range special which replacement fly half Jarrod Evans converted.

But Newport weren't done yet, O'Connor going from hero to villain after he was sin binned as the brave hosts again came back, excellent openside flanker Ollie Griffiths being driven over for a try converted by Robson.

The champions went down to 13 men for the dying minutes when centre Gavin Dacey was yellow carded for a breakdown offence.

Newport scented blood but Ponty clung on for dear life and the five points while Newport had to make do with just two.

Newport: L Ap Myrddin, W Cunliffe, H Palme (E Howley 73), B Nightingale, E Frewen, A Robson, R James (O Davies 60), J Greenfield (M Prosser 62), A Watkins (E Whitson 49), A Jeffries (J Powell 49), A Brown (capt), D Partridge (B Morgan 62), R Jenkins, O Griffiths, B Lampitt (C Attwell 66).

Replacement: M O'Brien.

Newport scorers: Tries: Wes Cunliffe (9), Barney Nightingale (50), Ryan James (58), Craig Attwell (70), Ollie Griffiths (79), Conversions: Arwel Robson (9) (50) (70) (79).

Pontypridd: G Walsh, L I Williams, G Dacey,G Smith, M Nuthall (A Thomas 50), C Sweeney (J Evans 69), J Raikes, C Domachowski (O Sheppeard 61), A James (L Belcher 50), K Assirratti (K Jenkins 50), J Sieniawski, S Davies, W O'Connor, R Shellard (capt), H Barnes (C Phillips 61).

Replacements: L Williams, C Dicomidis.

Pontypridd scorers: Tries: Ashleigh James (20) (42), Corey Domachowski (35), Penalty try (39), Rhys Shellard (67), Wayne O'Connor (76), Conversions: Ceri Sweeney (35) (42), Jarrod Evans (76).

Referee: Rhys Thomas (WRU).

Argus star man: Arwel Robson