Coach Ian Bletcher is determined that Newport’s season does not fizzle out after being dumped out of the EDF Intermediate Cup at Sheffield Tigers.

The Fishes put in a decent shift but saw their Twickenham dreams squashed by a strong and organised Tigers outfit, eventually going down 21-13 at the quarter-final stage in Yorkshire.

“The players were gutted at the end but we are desperate that our season doesn’t end here,” said a dejected Bletcher.

“We’ve got to re-focus and set ourselves new objectives for the rest of the season. It’s still an outstanding performance to reach this stage of the Cup and we don’t want to see our season fizzle out from here.”

Newport remain in the hunt for the Midlands One title – but there was a growing belief that league success could be coupled with an appearance at rugby HQ.

Instead it is North One outfit Sheffield who go marching on to the last four of the competition, where they will face Clifton.

The Forton Road men got off to a nightmare start when a high tackle gifted Sheffield a penalty try inside the opening four minutes.

Further home pressure resulted in a Sheffield penalty kick, which was successfully knocked over for 10-0 after just 10 minutes.

The 100 travelling Newport supporters feared the worst against a Tigers team who are yet to lose on home soil this season.

But their worries were eased when an excellent ruck and maul led to Matthew Curgenven touching down in the corner, taking three home players with him. Jamie Simpson added the extras.

Relentless Newport pressure continued and after 30 minutes a penalty just inside the Sheffield half was slotted over by James Curgenven to bring the scores level at 10-10.

And Newport had a deserved lead at the interval when a further penalty was converted by Simpson.

The Fishes were dealing well with the physical onslaught. Simon Holland came in for particular praise for keeping former England Sevens World Cup star Dave Scully quiet at fly half.

Tigers reverted to their heavy, 10 man game after the break, forcing Newport to live off scraps of possession.

Needless knock-ons gifted Sheffield a way back in – and two successful penalties made it 16-13 in their favour.

Further Sheffield possession resulted in a try from a rolling maul to push them into an eight point lead after 65 minutes.

Newport pushed on desperately in the closing stages but could not narrow the gap and the dream is over for another season.

“We tried to run them off their feet but they have just about overpowered us in the end,” added Bletcher.

By SEAN WOZENCROFT