NEWPORT 25 CARMARTHEN QUINS 21

Newport ended a desperate run of four Principality Premiership league defeats with this exciting and deserved win over third-placed Carmarthen Quins. The Black and Ambers grew in confidence as the game progressed and they looked much more their old selves long before snapping up a winning try in the 77th minute.

Inside half Owen Davies stole the limelight when he rounded off a fine individual performance by bursting over for the crucial touchdown much to the delight and relief of the Rodney Parade faithful.

Davies, who proved to be an excellent distributor of the ball, made the most of a well-controlled drive by his forwards near the Carmarthen Quins line to slice his way through for a smart touchdown at the posts. Powerful centre Geraint O’Driscoll added the conversion points.

Wing Jonathan Morris and centre Barney Nightingale also crossed for home tries while O’Driscoll ended with a personal match tally of 10 points through kicking two penalties and two conversions.

The Quins have now lost three league games in a row after previous reverses against leaders Pontypridd and Ebbw Vale. Captain and prop Ian Jones opened their account with an eighth minute try and replacement forward Rory Gallagaher charged over for another touchdown in the 70th minute. Outside half Daniel Jones kicked three penalties and a conversion.

The visitors’ cause was not helped in the 59th minute when No. 8 Shaun Jones was sent to the sin bin by Italian referee Claudio Blessano although they were pressing strongly in injury time.

The formidable Quins pack took a grip to dominate the early exchanges and they were rewarded when Ian Jones capitalized upon a good solo run by Lee Williams to burst over for an eighth minute try at the posts. Daniel Jones converted. Then Jones kicked a short range penalty midway through the first half.

Newport bounced back with strong-running Morris being put clear to cross for an unconverted corner try in the 25th minute and then O’Driscoll was on target with a 35 metres straight penalty goal to cut the visitors lead to just two points. But the visitors led 13-8 at the interval after Jones added his second penalty in the 32nd minute.

Newport really got their act together in the second half and that Davies try sealed a deserved victory.

Scorers: Newport:

Tries: J. Morris (25 mins), B. Nightingale (54 mins) and O Davies (77 mins)

Pens: G. O’Driscoll (29, 60 mins)

Cons: G. O’Driscoll (2)

Carmarthen Quins:

Tries: I. Jones (8 mins), R. Gallagher (70 mins)

Pens: D. Jones (23, 29, 50 mins)

Con: D. Jones

Star man: Owen Davies (Newport)

Newport: E. Frewen; O. Broad, G. O’Driscoll, B. Nightingale, J. Morris (J. Lewis 57); J. Mogg, O.Davies; J.Greenfield (D. Pattison 75), R. Buckley (A. Brown 72), A. Jeffries, A. Brown, A. Frampton, R. Jenkins (S. Feehan 75), O. Griffiths, capt. and S. Cross.

Carmarthen Quins: Dion Jones; G. Thomas, J. Harries, R.Williams, L. Williams; Daniel Jones (C. Evans 60), K. Hardy (G. George 72); G. Robinson(S. Phillips 40), J. Haines, I.Jones, capt. (J. Sebastian 68), L. Taylor (A. Laxton 56), H. Pugh, W. Boyde, E. Lloyd ( R. Gallagher 40) and S. Jones.

Referee: Claudio Blessano (Italy)