TWO sides smarting from cup exits will clash at Rodney Parade tomorrow (kick-off noon), as the Black and Ambers host the Blue and Blacks.
Both Newport and visitors Cardiff saw their hopes of claiming knockout competition silverware this season end last Saturday with losses to Pontypridd and Pontypool respectively.
While Craig Warlow’s charges almost snatched victory from the jaws of defeat at Sardis Road, the capital club were turned over on their own patch by the Championship leaders.
Tier two points are on offer this time around when Newport look to take advantage of Cardiff’s poor run of form in the Principality Premiership.
The sides previously met on the first day of the campaign when Jarrod Evans’ penalty gave Cardiff a 25-22 win.
While Duane Goodfield’s troops lost to Neath and Swansea in their opening two matches following the league split, Newport won their only tier two match so far, away to Bridgend, with a bonus point.
And they may still be in the WRU National Cup had they not given Pontypridd such a big head start in the second round tie.
“We found momentum in the last 20-25 minutes and a lot of that was our own doing, which was quite pleasing,” said head coach Warlow.
“But equally frustrating was that we contributed to the momentum created by Ponty in the first 50-60 minutes.”
He added: “We beat more of the top eight sides than the bottom eight sides (in the first part of the season) and that probably says something about our ability, and inability, to play and deal with situations.
“It’s not about doing the really high skill level things well, it’s about doing the simple skill level things well, and we’re not good enough and consistent enough at doing that.”
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