Swansea immediately bounced back from last weekend's disappointing exit from the Principality Cup with a comfortable league win over Newport at St Helen's.

The victory keeps at the top of the league table, although only a superior try count separates them from Cardiff.

Winger Shaun Payne scorer the only try of an often scrappy game, but a competent all-round performance from teenage fly-half Gavin Henson won them the points.

His two penalties and a superbly struck drop goal from some 30 yards gave Swansea a 9-3 lead at half-time, and they never looked in danger after that.

The home side played the best attacking play, but Newport's tight and organised defence meant Swansea's advantage did not reflect their dominance.

In fact the advantage should only have been three points.

Shane Howarth missed a golden opportunity to put Newport ahead after 11 minutes, but he completely miscued his effort at the posts.

The former Wales fly-half made amends on 32 minutes when he converted a penalty from virtually the same spot as his earlier effort.

Fluent

Swansea came out for the second half with an obvious determination to increase the tempo of the game.

And it only took two minutes for them to create a fine try for winger Shaun Payne, which Henson converted.

The forwards took the ball through several phases of play on the right side of the Newport 22, which allowed the backs to move the ball fluently through hands to allow Payne to cross over on the left.

The home side was then forced on the back foot as Newport tried to claw their way back.

But Swansea's defence held firm and the visitors eventually ran out of ideas.

Henson ended the scoring on 78 minutes with another penalty to cap off an impressive performance.

Scorers - Swansea (9) 19

Try: Payne. Cons: Henson. Pens: Henson 3. Drop Goals: Henson.

Newport (3) 3

Pens: Howarth.

Att: 4,000

Teams -

Swansea: K Morgan; R Rees, M Taylor, D Weatherly, S Payne; G Henson, S Martens; D Morris, G Smith, C Anthony, T Maullin, A Moore, D Thomas, G Lewis, C Charvis (capt).
Replacements: R Jones, C Rees, M Robinson, , G Mason, L Jones, P Moriarty, B Evans.

Newport: M Pini; M Mostyn, M Watkins, A Marinos, B Breeze; S Howarth, D Burn; C Jones, P Young, R Snow, S Raiwalui, I Gough, A Popham, J Forster, G Teichmann (capt).
Replacements: L Fortey, J Richards, G Taylor, P Buxton, J Jones-Hughes, S Mitchell, Lane.

Referee: Robert G Davies (RFU)