NEWPORT’S poor run of form continued as they fell to a disappointing defeat to Pontypridd at Rodney Parade – their fifth consecutive loss, writes Jay Bayford.

Diggy Bird proved to be the architect of Newport’s defeat as he outscored the hosts by himself with 17 points to inspire Ponty to victory.

Matt O’Brien opened the scoring with a brilliant long-range penalty, which saw him surpass 500 points in the Newport jersey, but the hosts were soon pegged back by a clever kick from Bird.

The Ponty fly half knocked the ball past two Newport players and then reclaimed possession, which gave him enough time and space to set up the marauding Lloyd Rowlands to go over and put Ponty ahead.

Bird fired over the resulting conversion but more ill discipline from the visitors allowed O’Brien to close the gap to one point.

After playing it from left to right and back again, Ponty eventually found enough space to touch down with lock Hemi Barnes forcing the ball over the whitewash with his outstretched hand. Bird was, once again, on target with the conversion.

Ponty, playing in their pink and purple strip, had several chances to add to their lead but poor ball control meant they didn’t take any of them.

The Valley Commandos made a terrible start to the second half as flanker Ross Morgan was sent to the sin-bin and O’Brien fired over the resulting penalty to haul Newport back into the game.

Two Bird penalties halted the hosts’ revival but a yellow card to full-back Rowlands handed Newport another lifeline and minutes after his departure, Newport full-back Geraint O’Driscoll touched down following a clever offload from O’Brien, who added the conversion.

But Bird made sure of the victory for Pontypridd with a late try that he converted.

Newport: Try: G O’Driscoll 69; Con: M O’Brien 70; Pens: M O’Brien 3, 12, 48.

Pontypridd: Try: L Rowlands 7, H Barnes 25, D Bird 73; Cons: D Bird 9, 27, 74; Pens: D Bird 51, 56.