NEWPORT fell to back-to-back defeats in the Principality Premiership for the second time this season as they slipped up against Bargoed at a very wet Rodney Parade, writes Jay Bayford.

The rain proved to be a constant menace for the hosts as they frequently lost their grip of the ball and Bargoed took advantage to seal a convincing bonus-point victory.

It took Bargoed just three minutes to open the scoring with Ieuan Jones crashing over in the corner.

And Bargoed remained on the front foot to grab their second just five minutes later with captain Rhys Morgan claiming the try at the bottom of a huge pile-up. Matthew Lewis, this time, kicked right between the posts.

The Black and Ambers were struggling to adapt to the wet conditions but finally found a way through as Owen Davies offloaded to Matt O’Brien who dived over the whitewash to surpass the 300-point mark for Newport. He then got up to dispatch the conversion with ease.

But as the rain continued to fall, Newport continued to struggle and the hosts gave away a penalty, which Lewis successfully kicked.

However, Newport had the last word of the half when Chay Smith raced onto the end of O’Brien’s kick, after Jones and Alex Herbert had both been yellow carded for Bargoed, to grab his third try in as many games.

Fly-half O’Brien was on target with the resulting conversion.

The rain continued to fall during the half-time break and the same problems occurred for Newport when play restarted, but they did look more threatening with only a last-ditch tackle preventing Curtis Ayling from going over.

But, just like they did in the first half, Bargoed adjusted better and David Evans showed great pace and strength to evade a number of challenges as he advanced towards the whitewash.

Newport thought they had cleared the danger when he was tackled but he managed to offload to James Pizey just in time and the scrum half bagged Bargoed’s third try, with Lewis adding the conversion.

And the Bulls claimed the bonus point when Jordan Howells crashed over moments later. Lewis booted another two penalties, after calmly dispatching the conversion, to seal the win.

Newport – Tries: M O’Brien, C Smith; Cons: M O’Brien (2).

Bargoed – Tries: I Jones, R Morgan, J Pizey, J Howells; Cons: M Lewis (3); Pens: M Lewis (3).