NEWPORT’S season ended in bitter disappointment after their slender Premiership play-off hopes were snuffed out by a heavy defeat at the hands of a rampant Llanelli who chalked up a bonus point victory at Rodney Parade.

The Black and Ambers needed a bonus point win of their own to stay in contention for the title but instead they slumped to their fifth successive league defeat.

Llanelli have had an indifferent season but looked the real deal this weekend.

But the hosts can reflect with some pride at a season which saw head coach Craig Warlow, and lieutenants like forwards guru Ty Morris, improve their fortunes remarkably after they finished bottom of the table last year.

Things had looked so promising until they lost their way in the last few weeks when they needed to be at their best.

The city side did get off to a great start however after they took an early lead when number eight Jack Goodey powered over for an unconverted try from a driving lineout.

Llanelli’s pack, which included former Keys players in lock Lewis Rawlins and back row forward Jack Condy, battered their opponents’ try-line, but it was Newport who scored next against the run of play.

It was in the 23rd minute that Black and Ambers outside-half Matt O’Brien crossed for their second unconverted try after winning a foot race when he pounced on a careless pass by the West Walians near the halfway.

Llanelli got the try their deserved soon after when tighthead prop Ben Leung bagged a touchdown after some fine off-loading by the visitors.

Fly-half Billy McBryde’s conversion made it 12-8 as the game neared the half hour mark.

Condy got the Parc y Scarlets’ second try after 33 minutes when he was driven over from a lineout, McBryde again adding the extras for a 16-12 advantage, which was the half-time score.

Llanelli ran riot in the second half, which started when Wales Under-20s Grand Slam winner McBryde, son of Wales forwards coach Robin, crossed for a try he converted to make it 24-12 after 52 minutes.

Newport did mount a series of attacks which should have closed the gap but it was blindside flanker Tom Phillips who got Llanelli's bonus point try with their fourth converted touchdown.

Wing Mike Tagicakibau got Llanelli’s fifth before there was a consolation converted try for Newport by O’Brien before openside Nathan Hart got the visitors’ sixth eight-pointer.

Newport: A Robson, J Morris, O Williams, G O’Driscoll, W Cunliffe, M O’Brien, O Davies; F Young (M Prosser 47-54), W Evans (Andrew Brown 41), A Jeffries, Adam Brown, D Partridge, B Lampitt, R Jenkins, J Goodey. Replacements: K Lewis, H Palmer, A Bidgood, H Palmer, L ap Myrddin.

Newport scorers: Tries – J Goodey, M O’Brien (2), Conversion – O’Brien.

Llanelli: D Jones, A Evans, N Edwards, J Lewis (capt) (P Davies 70), Mike Tagicakibau, B McBryde (I Hughes 70), J Guy (J James 66), R Fawcett (R Thomas 56), T Davies (T Myhill 56), B Leung T Kaijaks 69), L Rawlins, B Davies (C Long 51), T Phillips, N Hart, J Condy (G George 77).

Llanelli scorers: Tries – B Leung, J Condy, B McBryde, T Phillips, M Tagicakibau, N Hart, Conversions – McBryde (5), I Hughes.

Referee: Aled Evans (WRU)