Newport.............31 Caerphilly...........22

NEWPORT Crowned Gary Teichmann's Rodney Parade farewell appearance on Saturday by securing their place in the Heineken Cup next season.

Neath's substantial defeat in Edinburgh on Friday night ensured Newport needed one win, not two, to retain their place in Europe's premier competition.

And whereas Teichmann began his two-year spell with a defeat, he ended it with a victory, and a significant one too.

He also ended his time at Rodney Parade with a try, having started it in the same vein.

Nevertheless instead of playing a supporting role in Newports's carnival, Caerphilly so nearly spoiled the party.

They attacked with a vim and defended with a vigor which upset Newport, who seem unable to shake off their recent lethargy

There was never much in it, and at one stage it seemed set to go horribly wrong as Caerphilly stormed into a 19-14 lead after 17 minutes of the second half.

It was as much as Newport could do to overhaul the battling Caerphilly team, and it said everything when in injury time Teichmann elected to go for goal to make sure.

Borderline refereeing decisions cost Newport two tries when James Richards and Dale Burn were clear.

But the Newport backs looked pedestrian, too flat and possessed little imagination and even less idea of how to break through a tight defence, though Scott Mitchell, deputising for the injured Shane Howarth, could hardly have done more and kicked 16 points.

It took the little-used Jonathan Pritchard to go on late to create an opening for Matt Pini to score the decisive try after they had trailed for a second tune at 22-2 1.

Caerphilly showed again how Newport dislike the in-your-face approach, and what they can manage Neath will do so in triplicate in the cup final on May 13.

Caerphllly bristled with aggressive intent throughout and had no intention of being Newport's excuse for a celebration.

They showed form which belied their lowly position in the table, half backs Andrew Jacobs and Luke Richards outstanding, and they matched Newport in tries at three apiece.

The first of them was scored by Newport old boy Roger Bidgood, who has spent much of the season at Blackwood, but, like the rest of the side, revelled in the occasion.

That was in reply to one by Newport prop Adrian Garvey, who ploughed over after Teichmann had won a line-out.

But having scored one themselves, Caerphilly then got two more to really stun Newport.

First winger Sean Marshall supported drives by skipper Nathan Jones and lively replacement Karl Hocking to cross, then Jacobs pounced after a drive by the pack.

It took a defiant, stop-me-if-you dare burst by Rod Snow to create the space for Teichmann to score to put Newport back on track.

Sentiment demanded Teichmann earn the man-of-the-match award, but that accolade belonged to Snow, who produced another rip-roaring performance.

After Teichmann's effort came Pini's try and Mitchell's final penalty to see Newport home. But there was little to spare as Caerphilly made a mockery of Wales coach Graham Henry's continuing attempts to narrow the base at the top of Welsh rugby.

Newport will have to find some form for the cup final and then plan how to make an impression next season without Teichmann.

Throwing more money and bringing in yet more players is not necessarily the answer. But clearly changes are needed to secure Newport's place in the top echelon.

And all those fans who came to see Teichmann's farewell and enjoy what the club have manufactured off the field may not return.

Newport: M.Pini, M.Mostyn, (M.Llewellyn 72), M.Watkins, A.Marinos, (J.Pritchard 58mins), B.Breeze, S.Mitchell, D.Edwards, (D.Burn 58), R.Snow, J.Richards, A.Garvey, (C.Jones 67), S.Raiwalui, I.Gough, P.Buxton, G.Teichmann (Captain), J.Forster,

Scorers-tries: Adrian Garvey, Gary Teichamnn, Matt Pini; conversions:Scott Mitchell(2);penalties Mitchell(4)

Caerphilly: C.John, S.Marshall, R Boobyer, (M.Armstrong 59), G.Lewis, L.Richards, A.Jacobs, A.Jones (M.Bolton 67), D.Geraughty,(J.Hughes 73), G.Thomas, (C.Fitzpatrick 67) M.Workman, N.Jones(captain),B.Watkins, (A.Williams 73), A.Mocolutu,G.Jones, (K.Hocking 40).

Scorers-tries: Roger Bidgood, Sean Marshall, Andrew Jacobs;conversions:Luke Richards(2);penalty:Richards.