Cardiff Crack Newport In The Cup

CARDIFF 20, NEWPORT 14
A brilliant solo try from Wales scrum half Rob Howley dumped holders Newport out of the Principality Cup.
In front of a season’s high crowd in Wales of 13,200 at the Arms Park, Cardiff hung on magificently to steal victory five minutes from time in a game which Newport dominated 70% of the possession.
The black and ambers were left kicking themselves for not making the most of their domination and Shane Howarth missed a handful of penalties to make matters worse.
It was three Howarth penalties compared to two from Iestyn Harris that gave Newport a slender 9-6 interval lead, but Harris conjured up a try out of nothing midway through the second half.
Cardiff centre Pieter Muller brought Newport No 8 Andy Powell crashing to earth with a great tackle on half-way and the home pack won the ball.
Harris spotted space behind the Newport defence and his pin point kick was followed by Jamie Robinson, who piked up ahead of Matt Mostyn to crash over for a try.
Harris missed with his first conversion attempt, but was given another by referee David Davies for an early charge.
At the second attempt he hit the mark and Cardiff were ahead. Newport’s response was almost immediate as they rolled over Jason Forster from a close range line out, but Howarth missed the conversion.
That try left Newport a point ahead, but Howley dumied his way through from 15 metres out before racing to the posts for a try which Harris converted.
There was controversy at the end when Mr Davies sent off the Cardiff replacement prop Ken Fourie for a second yellow card offence, but Newport couldn’t convert their advantage into points.
Scorers: Cardiff: Tries: Jamie Robinson, Rob Howley; Cons: Iestyn Harris 2; Pens; Iestyn Harris 2. Newport: Try: Jason Forster; Pens; Shane Howarth 3.