THIS thriller of a game saw the lead change hands no fewer than five times and either side could have claimed victory, writes Peter Hughes.

At the final whistle, however it was Cardiff who had outscored Newport by four tries to three to take their first victory of the season.

The Black and Ambers meanwhile have to content themselves with a losing bonus point to follow their two previous wins.

The home side opened the scoring with a quickly taken tap penalty just inside their own half producing a try under the posts for fly-half Gareth Thomson.

Newport also opted for a quick tap two minutes later when they were awarded a penalty 10 metres out from the Cardiff posts.

Left wing Harri Long crossed in the corner while Matt O’Brien levelled the scores with the conversion.

Cardiff’s second try was set up with a break from wing Matthew Powell, flanker Tom Daley crossing for the points.

An O’Brien penalty in the 30th minute narrowed the gap to two points but a combined effort by the Cardiff centres produced their side’s third try, Bleddyn Davies making the initial break with Joe Gatt touching down.

A further O’Brien penalty reduced Newport’s deficit while an interception try for wing Jonathan Morris meant that Newport went in leading by a single point at half time.

The opening minutes of the second half saw both teams struggle to assert themselves but the high penalty count conceded by Newport will be a cause for concern and a Gareth Thompson kick in the 49th minute enabled Cardiff to regain the lead.

Four minutes later and Newport were back on top, the visitors working patiently through the phases before centre Chay Smith claimed the try. Cardiff’s response came with a try for full back Llywarch ap Myrddin, the conversion restoring the home side’s lead.

Both sides had opportunities to add to their score line before the 80 minute mark. It was Newport who ended the game on the attack but the Cardiff defence managed to hold out to secure the narrowest of victories.

Cardiff scorers – G Thomson, T Daley, J Gatt, L ap Myrddin; Cons: G Thompson (3); Pen: G Thompson.

Newport scorers – Tries: H Lang, J Morris, C Smith; Cons: M O’Brien (3); Pens: M O’Brien (2) Cardiff: Ll Ap Myrddin; M Powell, B Davies, J Gatt, C Lewis, G Thompson, M Roberts (N Powell 62), T Davies (R Rukhadze 69), J Tomlinson (capt) (I Jenkins 55), P Lloyd (R Davies 55), S Pailor (K Martin 55), M Normandale (J Murphy 62), T Daley, T Oliver, R Pitman (M Allen 55).

Newport: E Frewen; J Morris, C Smith, T Pascoe, H Lang, M O’Brien (capt), R James (G Watkin 58), L Smout J Williams 58), E Whitson (H Palmer 60), T Piper (G Harris 69), A Mann, R Landmann, M Burgess (R Jenkins 69), J Reid, C Williams.

Argus star man: Jonathan Morris