Wales fly-half Stephen Jones was the toast of Stradey Park as his three penalty goals in the final 13 minutes edged a shaken Llanelli side to a last-gasp victory in a titanic Welsh-Scottish League opener.

Newport, the more composed in an often-violent struggle, seemed to have a hard-earned win sewn up when the second of Shane Howarth's penalty goals took them 11-3 clear after 25 minutes of a riveting second half.

But the Scarlets re-gathered for a sensational final assault.

Jones found the target in the 72nd and 76th minutes and saved the best for last by landing the winning goal from 40 yards in the fifth minute of injury time.

Stunned

He got the chance to show his nerves of steel after being felled by a late tackle from Fijian lock Simon Raiwalui.

Stunned Newport just couldn't believe their luck. For much of the second half Gary Teichmann had set the perfect captain's example to keep his side probing for weaknesses as Llanelli seemed to run out of attacking ideas.

The Scarlets had dominated the first half but were still tied at 3-3 at the break after Newport's defence played heroically.

Howarth gave Llanelli the lead after 14 minutes with a penalty goal which Jones equalled 15 minutes later to bring some reward for his side's dominance.

It seemed even more cruel when Newport worked the only try, a good effort by new wing Matt Mostyn in the corner.

Howarth's second goal seemed to tie it up, but Jones refused to accept defeat.

He delivered when it was needed most but Llanelli knew they had already used up most of the season's share of good fortune.

Scorers - Llanelli Pens: S. Jones 4. Newport Tries: Mostyn. Pens: Howarth 2.

Att: 5,000

Llanelli

Matt Cardey, Mark Jones, Dafydd James, Neil Boobyer, Salesi Finau, Stephen Jones, Guy Easterby, Phil Booth, Robin McBryde, John Davies, Chris Wyatt, Craig Gillies, Alex Bennett, Ian Boobyer, Scott Quinnell (cap). Replacements: M Madden, M Thomas, V Cooper, M Buckingham, R Moon, A Lawson, G Evans

Newport

M Watkins, M Mostyn, J Pritchard, A Marinos, B Breeze, S Howarth, D Burn, C Jones, P Young, R Snow, S Raiwalui, I Gough, A Popham, G Teichmann (capt), J Forster. Replacements: E Lewis, M Llewellyn, D Edwards, L Fortey, J Richards, G Taylor, J Powell.

Referee: N Williams (Cardiff (WRFU)