NEWPORT will attempt to avenge a Rodney Parade humbling when they host Bedwas in the Principality Premiership after showing their new-found resolve last weekend.

The Black and Ambers head into the encounter on the back of a 44-38 loss to Pontypridd when the champions were pleading for the final whistle to be blown.

Newport rallied from 30-8 down and were on the front foot at the death only to have to settle for a pair of bonus points.

Scores by Wes Cunliffe, Barney Nightingale, Ryan James, Craig Attwell, Ollie Griffiths mean that Craig Warlow's side have bagged four-try bonuses in two of their three games – bettering last season's paltry tally of one, which came on the final day against Aberavon.

Now they must turn an encouraging display into a victory against a Bedwas side that inflicted a six-try, 42-14 hammering on their hosts at Rodney Parade in February, a result that helped condemn Newport to bottom spot.

"It was a really good attacking display against Pontypridd and we need to back that up while tightening up against the driving lineout," said coach Lewis Evans.

"I was frustrated with some interpretations and what I thought were questionable decisions that put us up against it but the reaction of the boys was amazing.

"The feeling was that last season we would have capitulated but we came back at Ponty and almost won it at the end.

"We need to build on last week's performance and it will be another tough Gwent derby."

While Newport found plenty of encouragement from a defeat, Bedwas didn't have much to cheer after a 50-18 home derby loss to Cross Keys.

"It was a hugely disappointing scoreline and performance," said head coach Steve Law, whose team started the season with an excellent win at Carmarthen Quins and narrow loss at Aberavon.

"We created chances but didn't take them while when we needed to be defensively strong we weren't.

"But you can't reinvent the wheel, we just need to do things better and the good thing about sport is that there is always next week.

"We've worked hard and will make a few changes for what will be a tough game because Newport had a good performance against Ponty.

"If we don't play to our potential then there is no chance of us coming away with a result but if we do, and take our opportunities, there is every chance of getting the win."

Dragons lock Matthew Screech is poised to return to the Bedwas second row as his regional teammate Aled Brew is set to line up on the Newport wing.