Powerful Newport put poor Cross Keys to the sword scoring nine tries in a one-sided encounter, warming up in fine style ahead of next week's Principality Cup final.

Speedy left wing Emyr Lewis grabbed a hat-trick of touchdowns with some scintillating runs while fellow wing Matt Mostyn (2), centres Andy Marinos (2) and Matthew Watkins, along with replacement forward Jason Forster also crossing the line.

Fly-half Scott Mitchell enjoyed a successful afternoon with the boot, kicking a penalty and nine conversions for a personal tally of 21 points.

Cross Keys, who have long since known they would be relegated after a string of heavy defeats, tried hard but their only points came from a 36th-minute unconverted try from left-wing Simon Crane.

Newport really cut loose in the last 15 minutes, outclassing their opponents in every phase of play to rattle up 28 points from four converted tries.

The Black and Ambers now look forward to their Principality Cup final against Neath tomorrow week at the Millennium Stadium.

A crowd of more than 3,000 gathered at Pandy Park to see this last league match of the season.

Cheers

But although four tries were scored before the interval it was hardly holiday fare, with far too many errors being made.

Referee Mr Neil Ballard (Cardiff) also upset the crowd by awarding a stream of penalties.

Mostyn and Marinos scored tries, both converted by Mitchell, to give Newport a comfortable 14-0 lead after 13 minutes.

Mitchell added a 28th-minute penalty goal before Keys raised some home cheers when Crane crossed for his try.

But just before the interval Lewis popped up to score the first of his trio of tries with a superb run to the line after being put away by hard-working flanker Joe Powell.

Mitchell converted to give Newport a deserved 24-5 interval lead.

Cross Keys: Try: Crane.

Newport: Tries: Mostyn 2, M. Watkins, Marinos 2, E. Lewis 3, Forster. Cons: Mitchell 9. Pen: Mitchell.

Att: 3,200

Teams -

Cross Keys: Bushell; Arnold, Bowen, McCarthy, Crane; Webb, Walsh; Evans, Hicks, Crimmins, M. Price, Kelly, D. Davies, Howarth, Watkins.
Replacements: A. Price, McDonald, Stroud, M. Jones, Stewart, C. Brown, Thomas.

Newport: Pini; Mostyn, M. Watkins, Marinos, E. Lewis; Mitchell, Burn; C. Jones, Richards, Snow, Taylor, Gough, Powell, Gravell, Popham.
Replacements: Garvey, Young, Raiwalui, Buxton, Forster, Pritchard, Edwards.

Referee: Neil Ballard (WRU).