NEWPORT’S Premiership play-off dreams are in tatters after they suffered their fourth league defeat in a row, this time losing to reigning champions Pontypridd.

After finishing bottom of the league last year (without the spectre of relegation due to ring-fencing) the Black and Ambers’ transformation under head coach Craig Warlow has been impressive.

But realistic hopes of chasing for the title were extinguished after Ponty, who have now made the play-offs, smarting from their Swalec Cup semi-final defeat to Llandovery on Saturday, overcame them with ease.

The hosts got off to a near dream start when promising centre Harri Millard, who featured in Cardiff Blues’ 28-8 victory over Newport Gwent Dragons on Sunday, crossed for a converted try after just two minutes.

The Sardis Road outfit went 16-0 up in as many minutes when openside Rhys Shellard bagged their second try, veteran No 10 Ceri Sweeney adding the conversion.

Ponty didn’t have it all their own way in the first half and Newport hit back when blindside flanker Rhodri Jones was shoved over from a driving lineout, fly-half Arwel Robson converting immaculately from the touchline. The half ended with the visitors trailing 16-8.

But it wasn’t long before the House of Pain faithful were celebrating a try by 2005 Grand Slam winner Sweeney after intense pressure on 44 minutes, the score converted by the fly-half.

With Ponty threatening to run riot, wing Chris Clayton soon got their fourth converted try which gave them a bonus point.

Newport’s woes deepened in the 57th minute when outside-half Robson was sin binned for infringing as the rampant Ponty went in search of more points deep in their opponents’ 22.

The hosts continued to dominate but the Gwent side held them at bay through a combination of determined defence and poor execution by their opponents.

The dam finally broke four minutes from time when replacement back row forward Dafi Davies got their fifth.

But a spirited Newport had the last word with two quick-fire consolation touchdowns by replacement scrum-half Aeron Bidgood and centre Owen Williams.

Pontypridd scorers: Tries – H Millard, R Shellard, C Sweeney, C Clayton, D Davies, Conversions – Sweeney (4).

Newport scorers: Tries – R Jones, A Bidgood, O Williams, Conversion – A Robson.

Referee: Dan Jones (WRU)