NEWPORT coach David Rees said his team played with purpose and pride to beat Pontypridd last night.

The Sardis Road men currently are fourth in the Principality Premiership table and meet Cardiff in the semi-finals of the Konica Minolta Cup at Rodney Parade on Friday, 21 April.

"Obviously I am relieved we won but, more importantly, I am pleased with our performance" said Rees.

" We really under-achieved in our two previous matches at Maesteg and Bedwas which were both scrappy encounters.

"The players let themselves and our supporters down.

"There was not a lot of continuity in this match either but the big difference was that our boys played for each other.

"That is all I am asking of them as we get ready for our remaining matches this season"

Rees said it was important that a club like Newport finished as high up the table as possible.

"Now we can look forward to our next two matches, Gwent derby battles against Cross Keys and Ebbw Vale", he added.

Pontypridd coach Simon King was decidedly unimpressed with some of the decisions made by referee Ken Bowen (Llanon).

"I don't want to make excuses but I simply cannot understand how we conceded so many penalties.

"We are not the type of side that does that. It was not a dirty game but the referee seemed to be intent on blowing his whistle all night. There wasn't any continuity in the game and we just couldn't get going.

"The difference between the sides was that Newport had a man who kicked his goals. Given all the prime opportunities that came his way, that's not surprising.

"Rodney Parade is a tough place to visit but to be honest we expected to beat Newport. "We will need to put things right against Bedwas on Saturday before we turn our attention to the cup semi-final."