Tries from Joshua Skinner and Che Hope and two from Chay Foster-Smith, alongside on-point kicking from Matt O’Brien, saw The Black and Ambers pick up their sixteenth win of the season at Rodney Parade.

Tyron Morris’s men were in complete control going in at half-time 14-0 against a fragmented Cardiff.

However, The Blue and Blacks came close to leaving Rodney Parade with a losing bonus point as tries from Sean Moore and Luke Pollock made the scoreline more respectable for the visitors.

Matt O’Brien got proceedings underway at a very cold Rodney Parade, as the home side started the better and put pressure on Cardiff’s defence.

After four minutes, The Black and Ambers crossed the whitewash first as Jac Lloyd broke through Cardiff’s defence and then offloaded to Chay Foster-Smith, who crossed for his fifth try of the season.

Despite the quick start from the home side, Cardiff tried their best to build momentum with the ball in hand, but Newport’s defence being like a brick wall at times made proceedings difficult for The Blue and Blacks.

Opportunities arose for both sides, but the home side capitalised on it the most. Miscommunication between Jason Harries and Jacob Lloyd meant Joshua Skinner gathered the ball and crossed over for the afternoon’s second try for The Black and Ambers.

Just before half-time, it seemed Cardiff’s fortunes were changing, as they had a lineout five metres from Newport’s line. After successfully gathering at the lineout, a powerful driving maul followed but was stopped abruptly due to Rynard Landman deliberately collapsing the maul.

This resulted in referee, Keith David awarding the former Dragons player a yellow card, which meant Newport finished the first-half with 14 men.

HT: Newport 14-0 Cardiff

With the one man advantage, Cardiff started the second half and searched for their first try of the afternoon, but this was soon halted due to Chay Foster-Smith.

From inside his own 22, the 28-year-old intercepted the ball and nearly scored one of the tries of the season before he offloaded to Che Hope, who crossed for Newport’s third.

Referee Keith David awarded another yellow card; this time around, Arron Pinches was sent off for a deliberate knock-on. With Pinches in the bin just before the 60-minute mark, The Blue and Blacks scored their first try of the afternoon.

This came from Sean Moore, who charged down a clearance kick to score his first of the season. Later in the second half, Jac Lloyd was the next man to score for the home side as he powered his way through the visitor’s defence to claim the bonus point.

The Black and Ambers ended this dominant performance with 14 men, as Elliot Frewen was shown a yellow card for deliberately knocking the ball on.

This boosted Cardiff’s attack as Luke Pollock crossed the whitewash for his sixth try of the season. Despite a valiant effort in the second half, it was heartbreak for Cardiff as Newport claimed the victory.