Jon Stiles rises highest to claim the line-out during Newport's 18-18 draw at Bromsgrove. Picture by Colin Taylor

Despite a slow start it was the visitors who opened the scoring through a Tomasi Tanumi penalty, but the hosts hit back with two tries – one of which was converted – to open up a 12-3 advantage.

A second Tanumi penalty reduced the arrears before the break and second half tries from Omar Suleiman and Rob Clymer, with one Tanumi conversion, meant the scores were level heading into the final 10 minutes.

But despite enjoying plenty of territory Newport couldn’t find a vital score, and it nearly came back to haunt them with the home side missing a last minute penalty to win the game.

Hereford did no favours for Newport as they slipped to a shock 22-15 home defeat to relegation-threatened Malvern.

Tries from Kyle Burrell and Guy Thompson either side of the interval, aided by a penalty and conversion from Dean Powell, wasn’t enough for the hosts.

All the damage was done in the opening period when the visitors ran in three early tries.

Luctonians saw their six match unbeaten run come to an end with a 20-14 defeat away at Hinckley.

Lucs led 14-6 at the interval with Leon Mells and Mike Thompson crossing, and Thompson converting both scores.

But a second half collapse allowed the home side to score two converted tries and a penalty to snatch victory.

By Alex James