NEWPORT saw their 100 per cent record in Tier Two of the Principality Premiership emphatically ended by play-off rivals Llanelli at Rodney Parade, writes Tom Coleman.

An intriguing first half saw Newport hold a slender lead courtesy of three Matt O’Brien penalties, although a converted try from Ryan Davies proved the foundation for a well-earned Llanelli victory.

The visitors, playing their first competitive game in three weeks, took control of the contest when Nathan Hart touched down early in the second half, before tries from Thomas Rogers and Dion Jones wrapped up an impressive win.

The result deals a blow to Newport’s hopes of gaining the top two finish needed for a home tie in the upcoming play-offs, while a fourth straight league win roundly strengthens Llanelli’s own hopes for earning a tie at Parc Y Scarlets.

The manner of the defeat will concern the management, who will wonder how his side failed to breach a dogged and resilient Llanelli defence during a thoroughly off-colour performance.

O’Brien edged the Black and Ambers into the lead following a closely-contested start, but Llanelli quickly pinned the hosts back.

Matthew Flanagan came agonisingly close to touching down in the corner following a brilliant drive, before a well-worked move from the resulting scrum allowed Davies to pick his spot and go over for a converted score.

Newport hit back, capitalising on indiscipline in the Llanelli ranks with two more O’Brien penalties to win back the lead, which included an audacious kick from the halfway line.

Hart looked to have earned Llanelli another try just before half-time, only for referee Jason Bessant to pull play back for a forward pass, but his disappointment was eased two minutes after the break when he burst through a stretched defence to cross the whitewash.

A third arrived just after the hour when Ashley Evans waltzed through a stretched Newport backline to set up substitute Rogers, and a miserable afternoon was completed for the home side 10 minutes later.

Another fine set piece allowed Jones to get behind the defence and touch down between the posts, before getting up to add another two points from the tee, completing a deserved bonus-point win for his side.

Newport: G O’Driscoll; W Cunliffe, C Smith (T Hoppe 55), T Pascoe, E Frewen; M O’Brien, R James (R Bates 55); N Boyce (W Evans 59), H Palmer (M Prosser 59), G Harris (F Young 59), G Bilton (L Greggains 44), D Partridge, D Mock, K Taylor, R Jenkins.

Scorers – Pens: M O’Brien (3)

Llanelli: K Evans (T Rogers 61); D Jones, R Davies (N Edwards 52), I Nicholas, A Evans; I Hughes, M Flanagan (S Maynard 51); R Fawcett (R Thomas 56), T Davies, N Thomas (T Kaijaks 44), A Powell (capt), C Long, N Hart, D Davis, T Phillips (O Morgan 64).

Scorers – Tries: R Davies, N Hart, T Rogers, D Jones; Con: I Hughes, D Jones (2) Referee: Jason Bessant (WRU) Argus Star Man: Matt O'Brien