NEWPORT became the first side to be beaten by Llanelli this season after a below-par performance at Parc y Scarlets, writes Jay Bayford.

The Black and Ambers made a promising start and a kick from flanker Josh Skinner almost sent Jon Morris through on the right wing but home full-back Tom Rogers won the race to the ball to alleviate the danger.

Harri Lang then went close on the opposite side but was denied by a last-ditch tackle from scrum-half Gareth George.

But their good start was rewarded on 11 minutes when referee Ben Breakspear awarded them a penalty try and brandished a yellow card to Llanelli flanker Ellis Thomas.

But after taking the lead, they sat back and invited pressure from the Sospans.

The hosts failed to make the most of their opportunities until the final minutes of the half when Ashley Sutton cut the deficit with a well-taken penalty.

They continued to pile on the pressure and reaped the rewards with captain Nathan Hart forcing the ball over the line and Sutton added the conversion with the last kick of the half.

A yellow card for Ryan James in the dying seconds rounded off a poor 40 minutes for the Black and Ambers.

Sutton edged Llanelli further ahead three minutes after the restart with another accurate penalty and Geraint O’Driscoll missed the chance to add three points to Newport’s tally with a wayward kick.

But the visitors started to see more of the ball and Joe Bartlett hauled them back into the game.

However, Newport’s comeback was halted when Rogers wriggled free from the crowd to bag Llanelli’s second try of the afternoon, which was converted by Sutton.

The visitors made a number of changes, including the introduction of Matt O’Brien, in an attempt to get back into the game but Llanelli remained resolute at the back.

Newport’s hopes were dealt a further blow when Skinner was sent to the sin-bin in the final few minutes.

And his departure allowed Leon Randell and Liam Hutchins to hand Llanelli a bonus point while Ryan Bates grabbed a late consolation for Newport.

Llanelli: Tries: N Hart, T Rogers, L Randell, L Hutchins; Cons: A Sutton (2); Pens: A Sutton (2).

Newport: Tries: Pen Try, J Bartlett, R Bates.