Tries from Nathan Trevett, Craig Locke, Adam Hoskins and a Kyle Evans brace did the damage with the accurate boot of Matthew Jarvis putting Merthyr on the path to success.
Newport gave everything on the day and refused to buckle under immense Merthyr pressure, but the better side won as the Ironmen sealed the biggest victory in Welsh Cup final history.
Newport went into the final knowing they had beaten Merthyr at home in the league this season.
And the Blacks & Ambers gave as good as they got early on, going toe-to-toe with their opposition in the opening 10 minutes despite a dangerous break from Merthyr’s Arron Pinches.
The centre’s run began an Ironmen attack, but it was stopped in its tracks when a pass from right wing Richard Carter was rightly adjudged forward.
It took until the 15th minute for the scoring to open, Richard Powell kicking to the corner where Merthyr got an impressive driving maul going.
Prop Trevett was the beneficiary as he emerged from a pile of bodies with the ball over the line. Full-back Jarvis converted.
Merthyr then had a second try ruled out by the TMO – Tim Hayes deciding the ball had been held up over the line.
Still, there was consolation for Dale McIntosh’s men as play was pulled back for a penalty which Jarvis slotted with ease to make it 10-0.
Jarvis’ fine day with the boot continued as he nailed another long-range penalty and it was now one-way traffic, Merthyr skipper Locke hitting a fine line and bulldozing over for another try.
It was a special moment for Locke who had celebrated the birth of his first child – George – in the build-up to the game. Jarvis once again added the extras to his captain’s score.
Newport were under severe pressure and even though Chay Smith produced one dangerous run, his team went into the break without a point to their name.
With a 20-point deficit to make up, Newport had to chase the game and captain Matt O’Brien tried a dangerous cross-kick which nearly went very badly wrong when the game resumed.
It failed to hid the fact Merthyr had the upper hand in the tight exchanges and Evans waltzed through some weak Newport tackling to further enhance the advantage.
Jarvis added the extras to end the encounter as a contest.
With the game already won, Merthyr went in search of further tries but to their credit, Newport stood up well and refused to let the walls cave in.
Craig Warlow’s side tried to spread the play from touchline to touchline, but it didn’t change the overall outcome as Merthyr lifted what they hope will be the first part of a league and cup double thanks to Evans adding his second try with a wonderful acrobatic finish.
Richard Powell converted to seal a good day’s work for the Ironmen and there was still time for Smith to grab a consolation and Hoskins to ensure Merthyr had the last laugh.
