WELSH PREMIERSHIP Bridgend (20) 56 Tries: D James, Warlow 2, Budgett, Molitika, Horsman. Cons: Cull 4. Pens: Cull 6. Newport (10) 30 Tries: Montgomery, Pritchard, Lane. Cons: Montgomery 3. Pens: Montgomery 3. Att: 3,000 |
Fly-half Craig Warlow led the way with a brace of tries as Bridgend claimed a third victory over Newport this season. Gareth Cull added 24-points with the boot as the Ravens easily completed a Welsh League double, with a Celtic League victory thrown in as well.
The sides meet again next week in the Principality Cup semi-final, with Bridgend sure to start as hot favourites.
The Ravens pulled away from their visitors with a 24-point scoring burst in the second half, although South African star Percy Montgomery replied with 18 points for Newport.
Montgomery was first on the scoreboard with a try and conversion, but it was one-way traffic after that.
Warlow sidestepped through for a fine try, before Cull landed six penalties.
Newport were living off scraps and were limited to a solitary Montgomery penalty.
Then Warlow zipped through for his second try before Matt James, Nathan Budgett, Maama Molitika and Chris Horsman added four more.
Bridgend didn't have it all their own way, however, as Newport rallied with tries by Llyr Lane and Jon Pritchard.
Montgomery converted both and kicked two penalties, but Bridgend's lead was never seriously under threat.
Bridgend: G Cull; P Jones, G Thomas (capt), M James, R Mustoe; C Warlow, H Harries; P Booth, A Joy, J Thiel, R Jones, N Budgett, M Molitika, C Harris, S van Rensburg.
Replacements: A Carter, J Donovan, D Jones, R Bryan, C Horsman, C Loader, B Phillips.
Newport: P Montgomery; M Mostyn, J Jones-Hughes, J Pritchard, L Nabaro; J Strange, D Llewellyn; R Snow, J Richards, C Anthony, S Raiwalui (capt), I Gough, M Veater, R Jones, G Gravell.
Replacements: A Cadwallader, S Howarth, L Lane, A Garvey, P Young, A Powell, C Hill.
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU).