Newport coach Dai Rees insists his side are improving despite their narrow victory over Cardiff at the Arms Park on Saturday.

The Black and Ambers were trailing at half-time despite dominating the first period, but eventually turned the game around to win 33-27.

Rees' side showed glimpses of the type of form that saw them win the Premier Division last season, but he knows there is still room for improvement.

He said: "I have mixed feelings about the performance, but we are getting better and the important thing is we won.

"I'm looking for certain improvements from the players, such as more continuity and control and a bit more of the Dai Rees brand of rugby, which is more attractive rugby.

"The disappointing thing that we've got to work on in training is that we got away from them by two scored on certain occasions, but we kept on letting them back into the game by taking our foot off the gas."

Newport went into the break 13-8 down after a five-minute spell before half-time saw James Malpas score a try, with Cardiff outside-half Chris Anderson adding a penalty and a drop goal.

The deficit was harsh on Newport, who had controlled much of the early stages of this game.

It took them 17 minutes to get the first points of the game, with the impressive Ricky Williams, playing at full-back this week, going over in the corner for a well-worked try.

Daniel Griffiths (pictured) missed the conversion, but ten minutes later added a penalty, but despite having several chances the Black and Ambers couldn't capitalise on their dominance and went into the break trailing by five points.

However, they came out of the break with all guns blazing and it only took them a minute to restore the lead. Dai Pattison, scored it, bursting through under the posts from close rangen and Daniel Griffiths added the extras.

Nick Kelly and Gethin Robinson added further scores and Newport could have had plenty more had complacency not set in.

And Cardiff were more than happy to capitalise, with Chris Czekaj giving them hope with a try in the corner, and centre Shaun James ran the length of the field late on to score Cardiff's third try to narrow the score further. But it was all to no avail and Newport saw them game out for their fourth win of the season.

Cardiff - M Nuthall, E Jones, S James, R Jones (O Ruttley50), C Czekay, C Anderson, D Walsh, N Llewellyn (N Trevett 54), M Leaman (R Price 70), G Hopkins (D Fenton 30), G Knight, C Stamatakis, D McShane, J Edwards (c), J Malpas.

Cardiff: Tries - J Malpas, C Czekaj, S James; Cons - C Anderson (3); Pen - Anderson; Dropped goal - Anderson.

Newport - R Williams, G Chapman, S Ireland (R Payne 3), R Shorney, A McCloughlin, D Griffiths, B Shelbourne (T Walsh 60), D Pattison (I Evans 60), K Crawford (A Brown 65), G Mason (G Robinson 65), D Davies, N Edwards, N Kelly (S Waldron 65), M Popham (P Williams 60), R Jones.

Newport: Tries -- R Williams, D Pattison, N Kelly, G Robinson; Cons - D Griffiths (2); Pens - Griffiths (3).

* Newport Centre Steve Ireland was taken to hospital with a suspected broken jaw and cheekbone following his third- minute injury on Saturday.