A 41-POINT scoreline that included six tries by the Premiership side may have seemed a romp in this second round Swalec Cup tie but it was certainly not one-sided throughout the 80 minutes.

Newport and Tata both had large injury lists with Newport having three hookers in their squad and no cover in the back and second rows while Tata had a hooker and flanker starting the match as locks.

The conditions of a swirling wind, occasional strong rain and a hard ground did neither side any favours, but Newport tackled well and made the most of the many errors by the home team.

Newport were ahead in two minutes from a Geraint O’Driscoll penalty, but Gareth Walters levelled two minutes later and in 16 minutes he put over a second goal for a 6-3 home lead.

Newport settled down and Dom Franchi’s long pass saw centre Nathan Edwards score well in the corner for a lead they never lost.

Newport’s belief grew and prop Alex Jeffries stormed over for O’Driscoll to convert and then came the best try of the match as Edwards grabbed his second with a fine solo burst and O’Driscoll’s conversion made it 22-6 at the interval.

In the second half Walters was unlucky with a penalty striking a post before props Ceri Jones and James Greenfield were rightly shown yellow cards after a punch-up.

Three more yellows followed in a period of ragged play with Newport leading 3-2 on that count, but after 59 minutes hooker Andrew Brown ran well to send lock Dan Partridge over for O’Driscoll to convert.

Tata opted for another penalty that Walters goaled, but they were dropping the ball continuously and Newport took full advantage.

After 70 minutes with Newport 29-9 ahead, a good break by fly half Julian Mogg led to a try by scrum half Owen Davies and O’Driscoll added the extras.

Tata kept trying to break through but Newport’s tackling enabled replacement wing Jonathan Lewis to run clear for the final score.

Tata can now return to concentrate on Championship rugby, while Newport face Neath next at Rodney Parade and were glad not to pick up further injuries.

Tata Steel – A Spowart; G Walters, A Jones, M Postuma, G John; S Lewis, G Watkins; J Bamsey, O Thomas, C Jones, A Gwynne, B Thomas, E Curtis, S Edbrooke (capt), D Griggs.

Reps used – I Hopkins, B Uphill, D Morgan, E Ellis, L Rogers, Rory Morgan, N Edwards, M Harvey.

Pens – G Walters 3.

Newport – G O’Driscoll; B Nightingale, N Edwards, D Franchi, E Frewen; J Mogg, O Davies; J Greenfield, Andrew Brown, A Jeffries, D Partridge, A Frampton (capt), R Gibbon, S Feehan, R Jenkins.

Reps used – D Rogers, A Pattison, J Monck, E Whitson, A Quick, C Rees, J Lewis.

Tries – N Edwards 2, A Jeffries, D Partridge, O Davies, J Lewis. Cons – G O’Driscoll 4. Pen – G O’Driscoll.

Referee – Owen Griffith (Cardiff)