Newport...........5

Bridgend.......13

NEWPORT crashed to a shock home defeat in their opening Celtic League game of the season at a disbelieving Rodney Parade last night.

The Newport pack dominatied possession and enjoyed possibly 80% territorial supremacy, but chance after chance was tossed away.

Bridgend, down to 14 men when outside half Simon Mannix was yellow carded, defended heroically and took the few opportunities they had, in stark contrast to Newport.

The team suffered the ignominy of being booed off the pitch, so disappointed was the crowd of 6,165, low by Newport standards after successive hammerings against Gloucester.

Newport now have to win at Pontypridd next Saturday to balance the books and they desperately need some of their injured players back.

Dale Burn showed some urgency when he went on near the end, but both centres and both wings missed chances to score while Andy Powell held on when he had a two-man overlap.

On top of all that Shane Howarth missed three kicks at goal in the second half after spurning three chances in the first half.

It was a night to forget for Newport and not at all the start they wanted if they are to make any impression this season.

There wasnt even the consolation of a bonus point for keeping the losing margin within seven points.

Much of it was reminiscent of last season with no cutting edge behind, though there was enough power then with the likes of Peter Buxton, Rod Snow and Ofisa Tonuu to win some big matches.

All were missinbg last night, Buxton for good of course, but its vital Newport find some spark from somewhere or its going to be a long, hard winter.

It was all Newport from the kick-off, Marinos and Raiwalui almost making it before Wagstaff was superbly tackled by Mustoe a yard out.

Newport then completely disrupted a Bridgend scrum and Marinos again and Powell went close.

The pack again powered to the Bridgend line, Raiwalui leading by example, but again the defence held firm.

Wagstaff was held up a second time and Howarth kicked too long, but Bridgend were caught offside. Newport opted for a scrum a few yards out, but again could make no headway.

They came again, Garvey prominent, but yet another knock-on ruined a promising position.

Bridgend finally got out of their half, but Harris was penalised for a high tackle and Powell and Howarth cleared.

Howarth put the ball into touch rather than go for goal a second time and then Newport were taught a harsh lesson when Bridgend scored in their first real attack.

Dafydd James sliced through a static Newport defence and over the line for a try after 32 minutes which showed Newport how it should be done. Warlow converted.

Pini was the next Newport culprit when he knocked on as he came up from full back, repeating the offence moments later.

Newport drove Bridgend back at a scrum, but there was no edge behind and Bridgend just soaked up the pressure.

And almost on the half-time whistle Newport were taught a second lesson when Warlow clamly slotted a 48 yard penalty when Newport did not even attempt a kick at goal.

Newport began the second half with a sense of urgency and Howarth finally took a kick at goal, but his effort was wide.

He tried a second time, from two yards inside his own half, and the attempt was only narrowly off target.

Forster almost made it to the line after a brilliant piece of opportunism when he broke, kicked ahead and regathered only to be tackled by Matt James near the line and his inside pass to go astray.

Bridgend were down to 14 men when Mannix was yellow carded for killing the ball, but Howarth again missed, this time from 45 yards.

That became even more painful when Warlow put a 47 yard shot between the posts to stretch the lead to 13-0.

Jason Strange was sent on, but at the expense of Pini with Howarth moving to full back. Popham replaced Ojomoh and, but still the errors continue as Powell messed up at the back of a scrum.

Burn and Anthony replaced Lane and Garvey after 64 minutes as a last throw of the dice, but Anthony knocked on and then Marinos unbelievably did the same from a tap penalty yards out.

Newport finally made it with four minutes left when Voyle won a line-out and the persistent Forster pounced for a try around the front.

Forster then charged down a Warlow relieving kick and Mostyn raced 70 yards downfield, but he was cut off by Matt James. It summed up the night.

PICTURE: Newport try scorer Jason Forster