NEWPORT emerged victorious from a nine-try Foster's Challenge Cup opener at Bedwas on Wednesday evening, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Black and Ambers ran out 41-26 victors at Bridge Field in the curtain-raiser in Pool A, which also features Cross Keys, while both Ebbw Vale and Bargoed endured home losses in Pool C.

The Steelmen went down 31-17 to holders Pontypridd at Eugene Cross Park while The Bulls suffered a 38-7 loss to Merthyr in Bargoed.

The Black and Ambers went into an early 6-0 lead thanks to a drop goal and a penalty by fly-half Matt O'Brien before Bedwas took the lead with a long-range try by rapid Ugandan wing Phil Pariyo.

Hooker James Huish, on permit from Bedlinog, stretched the hosts' advantage to 14-6 with James Dixon adding his second conversion for last season's runners-up.

The tries kept coming thick and fast with centre Haydn Palmer and Brynmawr lock Andrew Mann going over for the Black and Ambers, O'Brien's extras making it 20-14.

Number eight Josh Hayward, on permit from Pontypool, went over for a score that Dixon converted only for Newport to inch into a 27-21 half-time lead thanks to O'Brien helping himself to seven points.

Llywarch Ap Myrddin, playing on the wing, was first over after the restart to bag the bonus point for the away side only for full-back Garyn Payne to respond with Bedwas' fourth on the hour.

However, Newport secured the win in the closing stages when tighthead Tom Piper went over with Newbridge's Simon Veall adding his second conversion to make it 41-26.

Ebbw trailed 14-0 at half-time against Ponty after tries by Lewis K Williams and Owen Sheppeard. Sean Moore and Sheppeard's second secured the visitors' bonus point with Williams adding his fourth conversion to make it 28-0.

Back row forward Keir Hughes got the Steelmen back on the scoreboard before prop Ross Jones crossed from a lineout drive to make it 28-12.

A Williams penalty increased Ponty's advantage but Ebbw had the final say through another pushover effort, hooker Jonny Bowen the man to dot down on his return to the club on permit from Newbridge.

Bargoed and Merthyr were both making their Challenge Cup debuts after promotion from the WRU Championship and it was the Ironmen who emerged triumphant 38-7 with lock Josh Moscardini scoring a consolation in the closing stages.

On Wednesday Newport host Cross Keys at Rodney Parade while Ebbw welcome Bargoed to Eugene Cross Park.