As expected, Newport reached the last 16 of the Konica Minolta Cup, but they were made to fight due to a battling second-half display by third division side Pontycymmer in the Garw Valley on Saturday.

The Black and Ambers could not have wished for a better start.

A mis-directed grubber kick somehow squirmed its way through the home defence, and from the resulting line-out Sam Waldron charged over for a first-minute try.

A stunned Pontycymmer never really recovered from this early blow, and found themselves defending desperately as Newport sought to kill off the tie before half-time.

With Newport winning dead-ball situations at will, it was no surprise when Waldron touched down again after 15 minutes in a move which underlined the superiority of the visiting pack.

Another forward-s move, the only way to play in the conditions, brought Newport their third try through Darren Davies on 20 minutes.

The boot of Daniel Griffiths helped Newport to a 21-0 interval advantage.

But if the first half belonged to Newport, then the honours went to Pontycymmer after the interval as they made the mighty Gwent outfit fight for every ball.

A Neil Edwards try on 50 minutes effectively ended the tie as a contest, but Pontycymmer battled bravely to the end and fully deserved the rapturous applause as they left the field.

Newport captain Matthew Veater acknowledged the Pontycymmer effort. "We knew we would have a tough time.

"We were fortunate to get an excellent start. We came out firing on all cylinders, and really we caught them cold.

"We were pleased with the forward display as conditions dictated tactics.

"It was no surprise to us when they came at us in the second half. You expect that from Valley sides. "They never gave up and they did themselves proud today."

Chairman David Watkins admitted his side had been in a game.

He said: "We were obviously delighted to get through thanks to an excellent first half, but they certainly made a game of it in the second. I thought our forwards were excellent, especially in that first half."

Team: Newport: R Williams, C Thomas (S Cronk 60), R Shorney, R Payne, W Kershaw-Naylor, D Griffiths, A Walker, G Mason, K Crawford, G Robinson, D Davies, N Edwards, N Kelly, S Waldron, M Veater (c). Scorers: Pontycymmer: Pen: R Pearce.

Newport: Tries: S Waldron (2), D Davies, N Edwards. Cons: D Griffiths (4).