The Black and Ambers were 74-33 winners over Carmarthen Quins as both sides decided that defence was entirely optional in the April sun. Hooker Andrew Brown led Newport for the last time and his side made sure he went out on a game those in attendance won’t forget for a while.
Newport ran in 10 tries to five from the Quins as they made it back-to-back home wins.
After their previous victory over Cross Keys at Rodney Parade, Newport’s attacking game fired from the off as they crossed three times in the opening 10 minutes and secured a bonus point inside half an hour.
Newport’s inconsistency has frustrated head coach Sven Cronk this season but Saturday’s performance showed just how dangerous they can be with ball in hand. Neither team would have been happy with their defensive effort, the rate of scoring hard to keep up with at times, but there were some top class tries scored throughout the day.
Cronk’s side were ahead within seconds, Brendon Lampitt starting the try flurry with the first score of the day. Newport were dominating the breakdown and when their forwards turned over Quins’ ball, Dom Franchi and Owen Broad added two more quick scores.
Geraint O’Driscoll then added a pair of penalties as Newport’s fast start continued.
Scrum-half Connor Lloyd got the visitors on the scoreboard with a fine individual score but it was only a brief respite.
Retaining the ball well, Newport hit a purple-patch for the rest of the game and wing Elliot Frewen (2), Alan Awcock (2), Franchi and Broad all went over while the Quins got a bonus point of their own thanks to four more of their own.
Lock Carwyn Jones, fly-half Dan Newton, centre Alex Pickersgill and flanker Rory Gallagher were their scorers as the rate of scoring simply got out of control.
Despite Quins crossing for five tries of their own, the game was long since over as the crowd certainly got value for money.
