NEWPORT crashed out the Swalec Cup after they were completely outplayed by an impressive Carmarthen Quins at Rodney Parade.

Another year, another early cup exit for the disappointing Black and Ambers who were beaten in every department.

Hopes had been high for the two-time competition winners going into this game.

Logic seemed to point to a home win with the hosts flying high in the league while the Quins have been struggling in the Premiership this season.

Added to that was Newport's 30-22 win away in Carmarthen back in October.

But the failure to factor in the consideration that the Black and Ambers hadn't played a game since December 5 was a disastrous one.

Any misgivings Newport would be rusty and sluggish were sadly only too true for the insipid hosts.

The more battle-hardened Quins in contrast had played four times since December 5 and the difference between the two was stark for the visitors were right on the money while the home side were never really at the races.

Quins were masterful at the breakdown, their defence monumental and the pack dominant.

Their backs weren't bad either with their superb outside half Craig Evans pulling the strings while veteran former Scarlets full back Lee Williams showed touches of his class.

Quins opened the scoring after five minutes when Evans slotted over a penalty in front of the posts after the hosts were caught offside.

An entertaining opening saw both sides try to run the ball as often as possible and it was Newport who broke the deadlock when tighthead prop Alex Jeffries showed off his skills in open play to romp home.

Fly half Julian Mogg's conversion gave the Black and Ambers a 7-3 advantage.

But their lead lasted a matter of seconds for the West Walians hit back almost from the re-start when wing Iolo Evans crossed under the posts of the snoozing Newport, Evans adding the extras.

The visitors were down to 14 men in the 21st minute when their lock Haydn Pugh was yellow carded for a breakdown offence as the Black and Ambers hammered away at their line.

The home side opted for a scrum five from the ensuing penalty but failed to capitalise, being turned over by the determined Quins pack.

A catalogue of basic errors, and the odd hospital pass thrown in, hampered the hosts who found it hard to get into gear.

They weren't helped by a hamstring injury to their general at scrum half, Ryan James leaving the field at the start of the second quarter.

The match was held up for several minutes soon after when Newport lock Dan Partridge suffered a neck injury and had to be stretchered off.

When play resumed, Quins almost immediately scored a sparkling try from deep which was finished off by centre Dylan Morgans, handsomely converted from near the touchline by Evans to make it 17-7 to the 14-man visitors.

After Pugh returned to the field, Quins went 13 points up when their deadly No 10 kicked his second penalty after home wing Jon Morris had illegally entered a ruck.

The half ended with Quins deserving their 20-7 lead.

Newport came out firing after the interval and should have gone ahead after captain and number eight Brendan Lampitt took a quick tap.

They came within inches of the Quins tryline but were again turned over.

It was a feature of the match that Newport just couldn't keep possession and they coughed the ball up time and time again.

They got themselves into good positions but butchered chance after chance after losing the breakdown battle.

Newport finally kicked the door down in the 63rd minute when replacement prop James Greenfield crashed over but the conversion went unconverted.

Just as it looked as though Newport would mount a comeback, they lost lock Rhodri Jones to the sin bin for a high tackle.

Quins made the game completely safe 10 minutes from the end when a cute cross kick by Evans saw Williams cross in the corner, the fly half then converted magisterially from the touchline.

He also had the last word when he slotted over a last-minute penalty to add to Newport's agony to end with 15 points after kicking five from five.

Newport's thoroughly miserable afternoon was compounded with the news that centre Aled James suffered ligament damage.

A day to forget for the famous old club who will have to wait at least another year to add to their cup triumphs of 1977 and 2001.

Newport: E Frewen, W Cunliffe (O Williams 67), H Palmer, A James (P King 59), J Morris, J Mogg, R James (A Bidgood 21), J Lavender (J Greenfield 59)), E Whitson (H Palmer 59), A Jeffries (T Piper 59), R Jones, D Partridge (B Morgan 25),R Jenkins, B Lampitt (capt), J Cullimore.

Newport - Tries: A Jeffries 13, J Greenfield 63, Cons: J Mogg 13.

Carmarthen Quins: L Williams, G Thomas, D W Morgans, J Williams, I Evans, C Evans, C Lloyd, G Robinson (N Williams 78), R Clancy (I Phillips 41), W Taylor (S Thomas 64), B Thompson, H Pugh, E Lloyd, S Evans, S Jones.

Carmarthen Quins - Tries: E Evans 15, D Morgans 26, L Williams 70, Cons: C Evans 15, 26, 70, Penalties: C Evans 5, 34, 79.

Referee: Dudley Phillips (WRU).

Argus star man: Craig Evans