Newport go top of Principality Premiership – Newport 30 Bridgend 16

The only game in the Principality Premiership to survive the heavy rain to hit South Wales over recent days, this entertaining encounter was a treat for the fans who braved a soggy Rodney Parade.

Both sides, particularly the hosts, played some fine attacking rugby despite the atrocious conditions, the Black and Ambers ground staff deserving a round of applause for getting the game on.

Led out by fans’ favourite Elliot Frewen, on the occasion of the winger’s 100th game for Newport, his side were full value for their five-point victory over a Ravens side who haven’t won a league game since early November.

The hosts got off to a glorious start after Bridgend mistakes gave them an excellent attacking platform, outside half Matt O’Brien’s lovely break putting full back Llywarch Ap Myrddin in for the opening score after just two minutes, the fly half converting.

With the impressive O’Brien running the show, he put in a deft grubber kick which was gleefully picked up by centre Wes Cunliffe as the Gwent team doubled their lead with their second converted try five minutes later.

With the Ravens’ lineout creaking and the Black and Ambers pack dominating, they were full value for their 16-0 advantage, But just when things had looked so promising for them, two moments of individual magic by Bridgend outside half Joseph Scrivens got them back in the game.

First the No 10 set off on a beautiful break before he took a quick tap and go from an ensuing penalty to cross for a try he converted.

But the visitors shot themselves in the foot almost immediately when their wing Mike Powell was yellow carded for fighting as the first quarter drew to a close.

It didn’t take long for the hosts to capitalise against their 14-man opponents when number eight Brendan Lampitt crossed for their third try from a driving lineout just a few metres out.

O’Brien’s fine touchline conversion made it 24-8 after 23 minutes.

The home side continued to dominate the rest of the half but couldn’t breach the Bridgend defence again as the teams went into the interval with Newport 16 points ahead.

During half-time, Newport changed their muddied black and amber jerseys to sport clean red shirts, but there was no transformation in the flow of the game early on as they continued to boss proceedings.

The game was held up when ex-Newport hooker Dale Rogers had to be carried off injured after he was hurt in a collision while bravely trying to win the ball on the floor.

It took the Black and Ambers just eight minutes into the second half to bag their bonus point try when second row Dan Partridge was driven over for an unconverted touchdown from another lineout.

The Ravens didn’t roll over and made a game of it with just over a quarter of an hour to go when their skipper and back row forward Ashton Evans drove over for a converted score.

Just after he did, a big punch-up broke out between the two sides, Lampitt and Ravens replacement forwaed Kyle Evans both receiving yellow cards in what was at times a niggly contest.

Newport substitute prop Alex Jeffries was also sin binned for foul play just before the end.

Bridgend went in search of a potential losing bonus point but left Newport empty-handed.

Newport: L Ap Myrddin, J Morris, O Williams (A King 72), W Cunliffe, E Frewen, M O’Brien (A Robson 58), O Davies (R James 58), F Young (A Jeffries 45), H Palmer (W Evans 56-63), T Piper, D Partridge (C Attwell 66), A Brown (capt), R Jones, R Jenkins, B Lampitt (J Goodey 76-79, E Whitson 79).

Newport scorers: Tries – L Ap Myrddin, W Cunliffe, B Lampitt, D Partridge, Conversions – M O’Brien (3).

Bridgend: M Bennett, P Edwards, J Gatt, J Matavesi, M Powell, J Scrivens, G Watkin, N Boyce (L Francis 51), D Rogers (I Merriman 45), D Matthews (C Lewis 26), J Kenny, J Pope, G Beer (K Evans 51), Z O'Driscoll (capt) (A O'Drisoll 51), A Evans.

Bridgend scorers: Tries – J Scrivens, A Evans, Conversions – Scrivens (2).

Referee: Craig Evans (WRU)