NEWPORT struggled to get to grips with the difficult conditions in the first half but came back after the interval to take a valuable victory, writes Peter Hughes.

Carmarthen Quins came into the game one place below their hosts in the Principality Premiership table but dominated the opening 40 minutes both in terms of territory and possession.

The home side conceded a soft penalty on their own 22 to allow their visitors to open the scoring in the sixth minute, courtesy of a Steffan Marshall kick.

In the appalling conditions, handling errors from both sides were plentiful and scoring opportunities were in short supply.

The Quins won a scrum against the head 15 metres from the Newport line in the 24th minute only to concede a penalty two phases later, allowing the home side to relieve the pressure.

A couple of minutes later the Quins had their own put-in to a scrum in a similar position but once again Newport managed to resist the pressure.

Although they struggled to put any attacking moves together, solid Newport defence, coupled by the inevitable errors dealing with a ball resembling a bar of soap, meant it wasn’t until the end of the half that the visitors extended their lead. Full back Clayton Blommetijies benefitted from a pass that looked suspiciously forward to burst through the Newport line and make the score 8 – 0 at the interval.

It was the home side that started the second half on the offensive, with lock Joe Bartlett opening their account with a 45th minute try.

It was the forwards who produced the home side’s second try, six minutes later, driving the Quins defence off the ball for prop Dan Preece to touch down for the best try of the game.

Try number three for the hosts started with an initial break from flanker Andy Mann before centre Chay Smith provided the touch down.

A 77th minute Matt O’Brien penalty extended Newport’s advantage while the final play of the game produced a try for Carmarthen Quins courtesy of lock Lee Taylor, with the Aled Thomas conversion giving the visitors a losing bonus point.

Newport: D Richards, H Lang, C Smith, G O’Driscoll, E Frewen, M O’Brien, G Watkin (R James 40), D Preece (M Prosser (74)), H Palmer, T Piper (G Harris 58), J Bartlett, D Partridge (J Skinner 40), K Tyler, A Mann (M Reed (72)), R Jenkins.

Scorers: Tries: J Bartlett (45), D Preece (51) C Smith (62). Con: M O’Brien (51, 62). Pen: M O’Brien (77).

Carmarthen Quins: C Blommetijies, D Morgans, N Reynolds, J Batcup, M John, S Marshall (A Thomas (56)), G Rees (A James (60)), S Phillips (C Harries (72)), T Ball (T Myhill (52)), J Sebastian (C Allen (72)), S Jones (D Ford 40), L Taylor, E Siggery, G Davies, L Millin.

Scorers: Try: C Blommetijies (40+5), Lee Taylor (80+3). Pen: S Marshall (6). Con: A Thomas (80+3)

Referee: Mr Adam Jones (WRU).

Newport player of the game: Joe Bartlett