Newport 20 Llanelli 26

Newport head coach Sven Cronk was left to rue missed opportunities as his side succumbed to Llanelli at Rodney Parade.

The Black and Ambers have now lost their opening two fixtures in the Principality Premiership and face the daunting task of travelling to Sardis Road to take on current league and Swalec Cup champions Pontypridd next Sunday.

But Cronk is confident the mistakes his team are currently making can be rectified.

“It just comes down to keeping our concentration levels up for the whole 80 minutes,” said Cronk.

“Whether we tried to force it a bit too much or took the wrong option today, I feel these aspects can be worked on if we are going to have a good season."

Cronk was also adamant his side should have been awarded a try mid-way through the second half when the game was finely poised.

“I think the ball was over the line and the try should have been given,” he said.

“But the referee and assistant on that side deemed it not to be and we have to trust that was was the correct decision.”

The conditions were perfect as many expected a cracker in the same vein as the Dragons fantastic 23-16 victory over the Scarlets at the same location the previous night.

But both sides seemed edgy in the early stages with neither able to take control.

Newport led at the break thanks to an Ethan Davies penalty and try from centre Tyler Morgan who impressed on his first full start of the season.

But Llanelli scored two tries in quick succession shortly after the restart through prop Rhys Thomas who went over from close range and flanker Dan Thomas completing a sweeping move started by a great Steffan Evans break.

Newport got back to within a point through a Matt O’Brien penalty and a penalty try after a professional foul on Morgan when he was held back after seeming certain to score.

But it was not to be as Llanelli wrapped up the win in the final seconds when full-back Evans intercepted and went over in the corner much to the dismay of the Rodney Parade faithful- but at least the hosts pocketed a losing bonus point.

Newport: 15. Geraint O'Driscoll 14. Ashton Hewitt 13. Dan Robinson (Dom Franchi 56) 12. Tyler Morgan 11. Elliot Frewen 10. Ethan Davies (Matt O’Brien 63) 9. James Leadbeater (Andrew Quick 60) 1. Dai Pattison (James Greenfield 74) 2. Dale Rogers (Sam Parry 52) 3. Alex Jeffries (Gethin Robinson 52) 4. Adam Brown (Dafydd Rosser 65) 5. Adam Frampton 6. Ieuan Jones (Sam Waldron 60) 7. Craig Attwell 8. Lee Beach (c)

Scorers: Tries – Tyler Morgan 25, Penalty Try 75; Conversions – Ethan Davies 25, Matt O’Brien 75; Penalties – Ethan Davies 13, Matt O’Brien 69

Llanelli: 15. Steffan Evans 14. Kyle Evans 13. James Griffiths (Gareth Walters 74) 12. Johnny Lewis 11. Josh Adams 10. Nic Damjanovic 9. Rhys Davies (Jak Evans 52) 1. Rhys Thomas 2. Darran Harris (Bradley Davies 52) 3. Rhodri Jones 4. Adam Powell (c) 5. Craig Price 6. Duane Eager 7. Dan Thomas 8. Stuart Leach

Scorers: Tries – Rhys Thomas 55, Dan Thomas 62, Steffan Evans 80; Conversions – Damjanovic 55; Penalties – Damjanovic 10, 16, 36

Newport star man: Tyler Morgan