NEWCASTLE Emlyn made 10 changes from the side that was humiliated in Beddau, and the Red and Whites at last put in a performance to make their supporters proud as they beat Newbridge 20-0 in the Swalec Championship.

For the first time this season the Emlyn forwards really took control of the game from the outset. Captain Alex Williams, on his first start of the season led by example, and the rest of his forwards followed.

Number eight Luke Kendall was a constant thorn in the side of the opposition with his powerful carries, and he had excellent support from his fellow back rowers in Joel James and Gareth Thomson.

Behind them initially scrum half Mike Jones provided a smooth link between forwards and backs - and when he went off injured in the 25th minute Tomi Jones moved from inside centre to scrum half and managed to maintain the momentum.

Five minutes into each half the heavens opened and made handling difficult, but this did not deter Emlyn. With Williams, Kendall and James to the fore, Emlyn carried the ball through series after series of rucks deep into the opposition 22.

When Emlyn opted for the kick ahead to turn the defence they found full back Craig Duncan in fine form and he caught everything kicked at him and returned it with interest. It meant that outside half Barry Thomas and full back Shaun Leonard had to be restrained in their kick chase, knowing that one of them had to stay deep to retrieve the clearing kick.

The home front row of props Emrys and Gethin Davies, along with skipper Williams, were dominant at scrum time and with second rows Ryan Morgans and Bleddyn Davies working hard in the tight and loose the pressure was maintained.

With no score on the board things looked ominous when scrum half Mike Jones went off with a shoulder injury, and nearing the half hour mark all Emlyn had achieved for their pressure was a missed penalty kick from winger Dan Davies.

Finally a lovely break from midfield by Shaun Leonard saw the full back brought down short of the line, and two rucks later the ball was moved wide for winger Dan Davies to dive over in the corner for the opening score, which went unconverted.

Then, five minutes before the break second row Ryan Morgans took a two-handed catch at a lineout on the Newbridge 22, and with Luke Kendall controlling matters the pack marched towards the line.

The big number eight broke from the maul and was hauled down inches from the line, but Morgans picked up and dived over for a try, converted by Leonard.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with the Emlyn pack in control, and after wingers John Lumb and Dan Davies had both gone close to scoring, Leonard converted a penalty in the 29th minute from wide out on the 10 metre line.

Further home pressure saw winger Dan Davies drop the ball with the line at his mercy, whilst centre Phillips was also held up over the line by an excellent tackle.

When Newbridge were awarded a scrum, they made a mess of clearing their lines and Tomi Jones pounced on the loose ball over the line to score the third try.

Some determined and effective defence from Newbridge, however, ensured that the fourth bonus point try eluded Emlyn.