Llanelli 23 Newport 15 – Report to Follow.
A brace of tries from skipper Jonny Lewis secured a deserved victory over Newport at Parc y Scarlets. The opening twenty minutes saw the hosts enjoy most of the possession and red zone territory but were unable to put points on the board. Then, from a scrum mid field, the home side won a penalty to set up a lineout in the opposition 22m area. They secured ball, drove toward the try line, and from the ensuing ruck the ball was fed out, where skipper Lewis crossed near the posts for the game’s first try. Outside half, Ioan Hughes slotted the conversion, indeed that was first of five successful kicks for the no.10. What’s proving to be a problem for Llanelli is to exit effectively from restarts. This time they conceded a penalty in front of the posts from which Geraint O’Driscoll duly slotted. Just after the half hour, Llanelli extended their lead following more red zone territory. Hughes with his second successful kick. At the half Llanelli 10-3 Newport.
The first score in the second half was going to be crucial. On 49 mins, an attempted relieving kick was charged down. Home flanker Jacob Lewis gathered the loose ball and fed to on hand Lewis who had an easy run in under the posts, again Hughes slotted the conversion. At 17-3 it was looking fairly comfortable for Llanelli. But, two tries in the space of five minutes brought the visitors right back into it. A fine break by scrum half Luke Crane resulted in the first try, Elliot Frewin touching down. Then on 60 mins, a yellow card for Iwan Temblett saw the visitors set up a lineout 5 metres out. They secured possession and second row Joe Bartlett barged his way over. With O’Driscoll adding the extras it was very much game on.
Both sides rang the changes in the final quarter but it wasn’t until the 72nd minute that Llanelli added to their points tally, again Hughes with a long range penalty. As the game entered the final moments, another infringement by the visitors resulted in Hughes’ fifth successful kick to take the losing bonus point away from the Black & Ambers.
That makes 3 wins on the bounce now for Llanelli – they’ll be hoping they can secure another W next Friday night at PYS when Bridgend are in town.