IF this was the last meaningful match between Newport and Cardiff because of the threat of provincial rugby, then it could hardly have been a better finale for the famous Black and Ambers.

For, in the 397th game between the sides in the last 127 years, this was Newport's biggest victory over their greatest rivals.

Twice before Newport have scored more points against Cardiff - 34 in October 1990 and 32 seven years earlier - but the final margin of victory was less each time.

Newport scored 28 points in 1903, 29 in 1919 and 27 in 1977 but last night at Rodney Parade topped the lot as the widest margin.

Cardiff did field a team made up almost entirely of reserves and Under-21s because of injuries and Saturday's Celtic League semi-final against Neath. And officials tried as hard to get the game called off after a day's heavy rain as did the team once it actually started.

But Newport played the XV in front of them and the elements, and were suitably rewarded - and not just with Welsh League points.

It brought an end to Newport's six game losing run against Cardiff and it was their biggest league win against them.

They made light of the heavy pitch which was, in fact, perfectly playable and was a credit to head groundsman Mark Jones and his staff. Not many other venues would have been able to stage it.

And Newport showed considerably more urgency and a more direct approach. Parts of it were almost a throwback to last season as acting captain Ofisa Tonu'u sent out a booming pass almost completely flat to force that change in emphasis, with Jonathan Pritchard and Andy Marinos re-united at centre, taking the ball on the gain line.

The second of four Newport tries illustrated the point perfectly as Tonu'u missed outside-half Jason Strange altogether, Pritchard took the ball flat, passed on to Hal Luscombe and Mike Voyle was up in support for the try.

Jason Forster ploughed across from a Voyle line-out take for the first try, his seventh of the season, and Pritchard got the third in the first-half after heavy pressure.

With Strange converting all three and kicking a penalty, Newport held a healthy 24-3 interval lead.

But they went off the boil after that, scoring just once more when Tonu'u crossed from a scrum.

They should have had another three or four tries at least, though Percy Montgomery, who showed his world class, was denied by teammate Luscombe who got in his way as he was about to finish a moment of individual brilliance with a try.

But despite another powerful pack performance, the usual failings were still evident like ball retention and a sheer inability by the backs to finish. How Newport could do with a talented young outside-half like Cardiff's Nicky Robinson. He could even figure as a drafted player in a Gwent provincial side next season.

Be that as it may, it was just the kind of result for Newport to inspire confidence for next week's formidable task in the south of France against Toulouse.

Newport: P Montgomery (S Howarth 74 mins), A Cadwallader, A Marinos (L Nabaro 40), J Pritchard, H Luscombe, J Strange, O Tonu'u, captain (D Burn 74) C Jones (D Pattison 69), J Richards (P Young 55), A Garvey, I Gough (S Raiwalui 41-45), M Voyle (S Raiwalui 55), G Gravell, S Ojomoh, J Forster (A Powell 40). Scorers - tries: J Forster, M Voyle, J Pritchard, O Tonu'u; conversions: J Strange (4); penalty: Strange.

Cardiff: L Andrews, A Sullivan, D van Vuuren, R Jones, D Dewdney, N Robinson, R Powell, J Yapp (A Jones 76), G Woods (L Collins 76), D Young (T Payne 66), A Jones, L Tait, C Stamatakis (N Hampson 66), D McShane, R Sowden-Taylor. Scorer - penalty: N Robinson.