A FEAST of open rugby saw five-try Newport ease to a bonus point victory over struggling Llanelli, writes Paul Hopkins.
The visitors took an early lead when Ryan Davies raced through a gap in the defence and handed a simple pass to Kalum Evans, who touched down under the posts.
The Black and Ambers looked to hit back immediately and Matt O'Brien chipped to the corner from a penalty. The Newport backs worked the ball out wide with Haydn Simons exploiting an overlap to score.
Llanelli retook the lead courtesy of a Tom Prydie penalty following a deliberate knock down, but Newport were back on the attack through Andrew Mann and the visitors' backs stepped offside in defence. O'Brien chipped to the corner and quick ball from the lineout saw Tom Pascoe crash over for a try under the posts.
The Black and Ambers grabbed a stylish third try when O'Brien's grubber kick to the corner was superbly kept in play by Simons, who touched down in the corner with inches to spare.
And a bonus point was wrapped up minutes later when a couple of risky long passes out wide went to hand with Chay Smith feeding Andrew Evans to race clear and score.
Andrew Evans looked set to grab a second try after irresistible play by the home backs, but Prydie tracked back to make a try scoring tackle on the winger.
Offside in the home defence handed Llanelli a lifeline and Steff Hughes found touch deep inside the twenty-two, but a superb defensive effort by the home side drove the visitors backwards. Another penalty followed though and this time Rhys Jenkins was sent to the sin bin.
But a dominant Black and Ambers pack put the icing on the cake when Geraint Watkins raced up to the line from an advancing scrum, before sending Josh Reid over for a try.
Newport: Tries: H Simons (7, 32), T Pascoe (20), A Evans (35), J Reid (80). Cons: M O'Brien (8, 21, 36, 80+1)
Llanelli: Tries: K Evans (3). Cons: T Prydie (4). Pens: T Prydie (17)
Newport Star Man: Josh Skinner
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