NEWPORT skipper Dai Pattison is determined to ensure that he and his team-mates learn the harsh lessons from a disappointing campaign at Rodney Parade.

The Black and Ambers bring the curtain down on a season that has brought frustration to their followers at Llandovery tomorrow afternoon (kick-off 2.30pm).

The tone for the campaign was set on the very first day when tomorrow's hosts edged a woeful encounter at Rodney Parade 6-3.

There has been the occasional high, such as the win over old rivals Cardiff, but last weekend's 12-9 home reversal to Bedwas would suggest that there has been little progress since that defeat to the Drovers.

But loose-head prop Pattison has stressed that the Newport players are determined to end on a high note and are not just counting the hours down to the end of the campaign.

"Last week just about summed up our season," he said. "We were very strong defensively but we did nothing going forward. We have to create more options and add a bit more flair in attack.

"This weekend is certainly not just an end-of-season run-out. They beat us at home on the opening Saturday and it was their first win at Rodney Parade, so I suppose we owe them one in that sense.

"They will come out flying at us but we have motivation because of how we played last weekend and also in terms of impressing with next year in mind.

"It has been a very difficult season and we haven't reached the heights that as a squad we felt we should have. In some ways it will be nice to draw a line under it and come back next season competing where we feel we should be.

"There hasn't been a campaign like this since I have been at Newport but it's important that we learn the lessons from it to ensure that we put right what has gone wrong, while building on what has gone well."

The season might not have gone to plan in black and amber but it hasn't stopped the 28-year-old from turning out for Newport Gwent Dragons.

Pattison started against Glasgow and came off the bench against Connacht and warmed to the task.

"It was nice to be called in and I really enjoyed the games," he said. "It was noticeable that it was a higher standard from the first kick-off but I thought I did quite well. My number one commitment is Newport but I'd be delighted to help out again if needed."

The Drovers end their campaign tomorrow and are on the verge of securing their Premiership status.

The 13th-placed side are six points ahead of Maesteg, though the Old Parish outfit have a game in hand. The basement outfit host Glamorgan Wanderers tomorrow and Aberavon on Wednesday.