NEWPORT’S play-off spot is now secure after they beat arch rivals Cardiff 28-14 at Rodney Parade to make it nine consecutive bonus-point victories in the Indigo Premiership.

Centre Chay Foster-Smith broke the deadlock on six minutes with a try converted by Matt O’Brien.

That was the way it stayed until three minutes before the break when Newport lock Josh Skinner turned the key on the Cardiff defence to score, with O’Brien again converting to open up a 14-0 advantage at half-time.

Scrum-half Che Hope bagged Newport’s third try just after the break following Foster-Smith’s interception, again converted by O’Brien.

Sean Moore responded for Cardiff with a try just before the hour after charging down a kick, with Harrison James converting.

But the bonus point was in the bag for Newport on 69 minutes when full-back Jac Lloyd powered his way through for their fourth try which O’Brien again improved.

It completed a league double for the season over Cardiff – who did bag a second try scored by centre Luke Pollock and converted by James.

The Black and Ambers remain 10 points behind league leaders Llandovery with a game in hand – and a fixture against the reigning champions at Newport Stadium at the end of the month.

Ty Morris’ men have two games before that clash with a home meeting with Neath and a Gwent derby at third-placed Ebbw Vale.

Llandovery continued their dominant run to maintain their 10-point advantage at the top after a 48-26 win at Pontypool Park. It was a 17th consecutive win in all competitions for the double-chasing Drovers.

Winger Kian Abraham’s first half hat-trick set the reigning champions on their way, although Pontypool scrum-half Morgan Lloyd replied with a hat-trick of his own for the home side to help them pick up a bonus-point after Sam Scarfe’s earlier score.

Full-back Jac Davies and brothers Aaron and Adam Warren also ran in first half tries to open up a 36-7 lead.

Hooker Taylor Davies came off the bench to score two further second half tries and cap another thoroughly comprehensive win.

Having also helped himself to four tries in the win at Neath last month, Davies is now the Premiership’s top try scorer with 15.

Pooler, in sixth, are now eight points back on fourth-placed Cardiff with a game in hand.