NEWPORT last night leaned on their excellent record at Carmarthen Park to make three straight wins in the Welsh Premiership, writes Tony Poole.

Beaten just once in eight visits to the ground, the Black and Ambers built on successive wins over Bridgend and Neath to consolidate eighth spot in the table.

Scrum-half Andrew Quick made a 100th appearance, as Newport opened brightly with full-back Geraint O’Driscoll slotting a fifth-minute penalty.

But Quins soon responded with a try at the posts from centre Rhys Williams that fly-half Craig Evans goaled.

However, fly-half Evans missed three penalty chances to enhance the lead – and was made to pay in the 27th minute.

Slick hands from wing Ashton Hewitt and prop Gethin Robinson led to centre Dominic Franchi claiming a try that O’Driscoll converted.

But in the approach to half time, a break from Quins lock Haydn Pugh set up a Conor Lloyd try that Evans improved on.

Worse followed for Newport when flanker Darren Waters was binned, and they trailed 14-10 at the turnaround.

And Quins made the extra man count in the 44th minute when flanker Ellis Lloyd drove over for a try that Evans converted.

The return of Waters led to Newport securing better field positions, and scrum pressure resulted in them earning a 58th-minute penalty try that O’Driscoll goaled for 21-17.

They made further inroads in the 67th minute when O’Driscoll landed a second penalty – and carved out the winning score five minutes later.

The ball was spread left at speed, resulting in flanker Craig Attwell claiming a corner try that went unconverted.

Though Quins pressed during the closing stages, they were unable to repeat the slender 23-21 success at Rodney Parade earlier in the season.

MATCH DETAILS

CARMARTHEN QUINS: H Thomas (R Thomas 70); G Thomas, R Williams, E Phillips, C Banfield; C Evans, C Lloyd; G Thomas (G Robinson 72), R Elias (R Guest 62), J Sebastian (T Davies 69), C Jones, H Pugh, A Laxton (R Gallagher 49), L Joseph, E Lloyd

Scorers: Tries – R Williams, C Lloyd, E Lloyd; Con: C Evans (3)

NEWPORT: G O’Driscoll; A Hewitt, D Robinson, D Franchi, O Broad; E Davies (M O’Brien 63), A Quick; J Greenfield, Andrew Brown, G Robinson (A Jeffries 73), Adam Brown, A Frampton, C Attwell, L Beach (capt), D Waters

Scorers: Tries – D Franchi, C Attwell, Pen try; Cons: G O’Driscoll (2); Pens: G O’Driscoll (2).

REFEREE: Rhys Thomas (Cardiff).