Newport 50 Caerphilly 22

HALF backs Shane Howarth and Dale Burn stole the show as Newport put on a performance to match the hot weather at Rodney Parade on Saturday.

They marked the start of the season and their opening Celtic Welsh/Scottish clash with a 50 point, seven-try victory over Caerphilly.

Howarth carried on where he left off last season by rattling up 20 points from a super solo try, six conversions and a penalty.

Though moving to full back midway through the second half, Howarth threatened alongside Burn.

The scrum half proved that all the uncertainty surrounding the arrival of Joost van der Westhuizen is not going to affect him, and he took the sponsors' man-of-the-match award.

Apart from a little uncertainty over options near the line, Burn was a constant source of danger with his sniping runs.

Caerphilly struggled to hold him, but though conceding 50 points they were in the game for long periods, proving that Newport will have to improve for the tougher tests to come.

Caerphilly coach Gareth Nicholas was quick to point out the widening gulf between professional and part-time teams.

And it showed, as Newport provided some delightful continuity at times, handling superbly and spreading the ball wide.

New prop Chris Anthony marked his debut with a try while the returning Mike Voyle proved the wisdom of taking him on board with a commanding display in the line-out.

Jonathan Pritchard and Matthew Watkins both played well in the centre, Watkins wrongfooting the defence with his tricky running and Pritchard putting in a fine overall performance.

His delightful flip-up to create the space for Howarth and his own try were the products of considerable personal ingenuity.

But it was not all positives for Newport. There remains a lack of a real cutting edge behind so that chances created were not always finished off as they should have been. The defence was not always as tight as it should have been either.

Caerphilly centre Geraint Evans twice strode through a static defence for tries, though the late effort by Geraint Lewis was the result of an interception.

And Voyle apart in the line-outs, there were question marks over the set pieces which could well be exploited in the weeks ahead.

Howarth, Pritchard and Anthony scored Newport's first half tries, while in the second half Ben Breeze raced over after the ball was moved right then left, Rod Snow powered across for a typical effort, replacement Andy Marinos strolled across after a Watkins shimmy and fellow replacement Adrian Garvey marked his first appearance since the cup final with an identical try from a line-out.

If Newport can beat a below-strength Cardiff at the Arms Park on Wednesday night and follow up with a home victory over Edinburgh, they could be sitting pretty at the top of the table alongside Neath. Already the clash at the Gnoll on September 15 is looming large.

* In the picture: Newport skipper Simon Raiwalui powers forward.

First published on Monday 27 August 2001: