NEWPORT booked their place in the semi-finals of the WRU Premiership Cup on Saturday (Jan 22) as they thumped Bridgend Ravens 45-17.
Matthew Jones put the Ravens ahead early on with a penalty but Newport stormed back with five first half tries.
Matthew Powell got the first and Will Reed added the extras to make it 7-3 to the home side.
A cross field kick was then finished off well by Oli Andrews and Reed again added the extras.
Just three minutes later they had their third try, this time Matt O’Brien went over the whitewash before Reed again added the extras.
Will Griffiths continued Newport’s onslaught with their fourth try and Reed was successful with his fourth conversion.
There was still time for one more before the half was over and their fifth try was scored by Luke Crane and Reed made it 5 out of 5 from the boot.
That gave them a commanding 35-3 lead at the break, and the Ravens knew they would need to replicate their opponents’ scoring to stand a chance of going through.
Early in the second half the Ravens got their first try of the game as a driving maul pushed their way over the line with Lee Murphy getting the credit for the try. Jones added the extras.
Just seven minutes later though Newport had their sixth try which was scored by Cameron Lewis.
The Ravens did not give up though and on the hour mark they scored another try. Carrick McDonough was making his debut for the visitors and he marked it with their second try of the game and Paul Short added the extras.
Four minutes later Dai Richards went over for another try for Newport to make it 45-17.
That was the end of the scoring as Newport saw the game out to seal their place in the semi-finals.
They are next in action on Saturday, January 29, as they travel to Llandovery. The Ravens are also in action on Saturday as they visit Llanelli.
