WELSH PREMIERSHIP Cardiff (10) 39: Tries: R Williams 4, Brownrigg. Cons: Harris 4. Pens: Harris 2. Newport (10) 17: Tries: Mostyn, Brew. Cons: Strange 2. Pen: Strange. Att: 4,000

A four-try solo show by Cardiff full-back Rhys Williams left Newport utterly bewildered and contributed to a grossly distorted scoreline in the Welsh Premiership at the Arms Park.

Newport held back most of their top names for next weekend's Principality Cup final against Llanelli.

But the inexperienced Gwent side showed enough fire and enthusiasm for the scores to be level midway through the second half, but a 22-point blitz in six minutes saved Cardiff's blushes.

Williams crossed for his first try after five minutes, following constant Cardiff pressure.

Iestyn Harris - watched by many of his former Leeds Rhinos rugby league fans, in town for Saturday's Challenge Cup final date with Bradford - converted and added a penalty.

There were too many injury stoppages for the game to flow, but Newport gradually worked their way back into things.

Fly-half Jason Strange slotted over a penalty and then improved a try by centre Nathan Brew to level the scores at half-time.

There was no change until midway through the second period, when a Harris penalty - after Strange had missed an easier one for Newport - seemed to flick a switch in the Cardiff side.

Williams outpaced visiting full-back Michael Hook to reach the corner, then rounded off a passage of play featuring the increasingly influential Harris, wing Nick Walne and skipper Martyn Williams.

Flanker Jim Brownrigg raced in to end a move sparked by a Dean Dewdney tap penalty inside his own 22 and, with Harris converting, the Blue and Blacks were suddenly out of sight.

Centre Matt Allen sent full-back Williams under the posts for his fourth, but Newport had the final word with an injury-time try from wing Matt Mostyn, converted by Strange.