IT IS the motivation of following up a terrific win rather than becoming the first scalp of the Premiership basement dwellers that is driving Newport on this weekend.

The Black and Ambers head to winless Tonmawr after ending their own morale-sapping losing streak last time out.

After eight defeats on the spin, Newport beat Cardiff 22-6 at the Arms Park a fortnight ago to secure a first victory since October.

And head coach Sven Cronk insists that the focus has been on backing up the positive aspects from the capital instead of becoming the first side to lose to the Pitmen this season.

"We haven’t spoken about that to be honest," he said. "It has all been about building from the performance at Cardiff.

"It is about preparing properly and putting into action all of the things that we have talked about.

"We know what we are going into – the pitch is like a narrow, ploughed field so we won’t be able to play the wide game that we like.

"The key will be attacking the gain line hard and earning the right to get in the 12/13 channel, while we have to hold onto the ball as well as we did in Cardiff."

Tonmawr have shipped at least 24 points in all of their 16 games this season but were more resolute against Pontypridd last weekend. It took a late charge by the hosts at Sardis Road to ensure a 38-7 win.

"Perhaps Ponty didn’t quite respect the ball or the opposition but we are not at the top of the table like them so cannot afford to do that," said Cronk.

"There is no danger of us going there thinking it is going to be a routine win.

"When you have got back into the winning ways you want to make it a habit and the only way to do that is through hard work."

Newport suffered a fresh blow in training when full-back Alan Awcock turned over on an ankle but his absence is countered by the presence of Newport Gwent Dragons number 15 Jamie Smith.

The summer signing from Ulster made his comeback from a hamstring injury for Bedwas last weekend.

Newport: J Smith, M Pewtner, L Plummer, S Williams, E Frewen, G Bowen, J Davies, D Pattison, A Brown (captain), T Davies, D Rosser, S Waldron, H Stoddart, D Water, H Ellis. Replacements: D Rogers, D Morgan, A Frampton, R Jenkins, W Rees-Hole, S Taylor, R James.