NEWPORT fell agonisingly short as they almost completed a spectacular comeback against Pontypridd in the WRU National Cup second round at Sardis Road, writes Ben Barker.

The Black and Ambers were 31-3 down heading into the final quarter of the match, but finished just five points behind in a breathless end to the clash.

Despite getting off to a the perfect start through Dan O’Brien’s first minute penalty, Newport conceded twice in an error-strewn first period, succumbing to tries from hooker Huw Dowden and winger Lewis I Williams.

The visitors were under sustained pressure throughout the half, and it was only Ponty’s profligacy and handling errors that kept the score to 12-3 at the interval.

The home side began to pull away after the restart, as replacement back-row Hemi Barnes powered over after veteran Ceri Sweeney made good metres. The outside-half got the extras to increase the deficit to 16.

Newport couldn’t stem the tide, and Ponty scored their fourth try shortly after. Scrum-half Wayne Evans capitalised on loose ball to punt through and flop over the line. Williams got his second of the afternoon on the hour mark, showing good pace to cross in the corner from the halfway line, and Newport looked dead and buried at 31-3.

On 61 minutes, centre Chay Smith gave the Black and Ambers something to cheer about, using some nifty footwork to twist and turn through four Ponty defenders and cross. Geraint O’Driscoll slotted the extras, and Newport were on their way.

Some quick handling saw full-back Llywarch ap Myrddin cut an angled line through a wanting defence to score just three minutes later, and O’Driscoll took the quick conversion sensing an unlikely comeback with the scores at 31-17.

Replacement outside-half Lewis K Williams nudged Pontypridd further ahead with a well-struck penalty, but the visitors responded immediately through Elliot Frewen, and again on 74 minutes as quick hands put replacement back Henry Palmer free on the wing to power over.

O’Driscoll’s try brought Newport to within five at 34-29.

Williams missed the chance to put his side clear with a penalty from halfway, before Frewen failed to keep hold of the ball to give Newport the victory their second-half display deserved.

Pontypridd: G Williams (D Matthews 66), L I Williams, B Coombes (S May 58), D Lockyer (Capt), D Stuckey, C Sweeney (L K Williams 55), W Evans (P Sidoli 65); J Pople, H Dowden (J Raikes 52), M Auger, L Evans, C Dicomidis (D Williams 65), J Thomas (L Belcher 58), R Shellard, D Godfrey (H Barnes 34).

Tries: H Dowden, L I Williams (2), H Barnes, W Evans Cons: C Sweeney (3) Pens: L K Williams

Newport: L ap Myrddin, W Cunliffe (H Palmer 65), T Pascoe, C Smith, E Frewen, M O’Brien (O’Driscoll 7), O Davies (R James 53); J Lavender (W Evans 62), H Palmer (T Piper 55), G Harris (M Prosser 55), D Mock, D Partridge, R Jones (A Brown 58), R Jenkins (Capt), R Tucker (K Taylor 15).

Tries: C Smith, L ap Myrddin, E Frewen, H Palmer Cons: G O'Driscoll (3) Pens: M O'Brien

Star Man: Chay Smith