NEWPORT gave their hopes of finishing in the Premiership’s top eight a huge lift after winning their fourth league encounter on the bounce.

They squeezed home after a cracking encounter against a Carmarthen Quins who could so easily have picked up five points.

The West Walians were left to rue missing two conversions and two penalties, as well as a drop goal with the last kick of the game.

Under intense pressure in the closing minutes, the Black and Ambers dug deep for a hugely important triumph.

It was four more vital points for the hosts while Quins picked up two points by virtue of scoring four tries and coming within seven points of the home side.

Newport had the better of the opening exchanges and got the try their efforts deserved when second row Rhodri Jones crashed over under the posts after 12 minutes, fly-half Matt O’Brien converting.

Quins hit back after applying great pressure before, openside flanker Shaun Evans went over for a try following some poor tackling by the hosts, outside-half Steffan Marshall’s extras making it 7-7.

Newport got their noses back in front when wing Jon Morris finished well in the corner for a try after the home side had shown deft handling from a scrum five.

Quins laid siege to the Black and Ambers’ try-line but only scored after a mistake by the home side.

Outstanding number eight Rhys Jenkins made some hard yards from the back of a scrum deep in his own half before O’Brien chipped ahead for his backs to chase.

But the ball bounced into the arms of opposition wing Tom Williams who raced in for an unconverted try after 32 minutes.

Quins again conceded softly just after the restart when Newport blindside flanker Reuben Tucker barged over, O’Brien adding the extras again.

The half ended with the Rodney Parade side 19-12 up.

A sparkling backs move saw wing Chris Banfield finish it off in style for the West Walians for an unconverted try after 48 minutes as they came back within two points.

With the visitors having the edge in the scrum, the balance of the game seemed to be tipping in their favour.

But Newport’s O’Brien nailed two sweetly struck penalties to give them an eight-point cushion with just over 10 minutes to go.

Back game Quins again who made it 25-24 when replacement prop Gethin Robinson crossed for a converted try to set up a tense climax.

Newport were under almost intolerable pressure in the dying seconds but held to take the spoils.

Newport: G O’Driscoll, W Cunliffe (E Frewen 64), T Riley, T Pascoe, J Morris, M O’Brien, O Davies, J Lavender (M Prosser 64), H Palmer, G Harris (T Piper 57), A Brown (capt), R Jones (D Mock 74), R Tucker, K Tayler (C Attwell 69), R Jenkins.

Newport scorers: Tries – Rhodri Jones, Jon Morris, Reuben Tucker, Conversions – Matt O’Brien (2), Penalties –.O’Brien (2).

Carmarthen Quins: L Williams, T Williams, J Williams (M Griffiths 68), J Hendy, C Banfield, S Marshall, G George (C Lloyd 55), N Williams (G Robinson 53), T Myhill (R Clancy 53), S Thomas (J Sebastian 53), B Thompson (L Taylor 66), H Pugh (capt), R Osborn (S Jones 55), S Evans, M Allen.

Carmarthen Quins scorers: Tries – Shaun Evans, Tom Williams, Chris Banfield, Gethin Robinson, Conversions – Steffan Marshall, Josh Hendy.

Referee: Elgan Williams (WRU).

Argus star man: Rhys Jenkins