Finau applies the final flourish

Llanelli 32 Newport 9

They closed the roof of the Millennium Stadium and closed another chapter in Welsh rugby as Llanelli, fittingly, won the Principality Cup in the final final. A knockout cup competition will continue, but without the five regions that will form the heart of the new professional structure next season.

This was the 12th time Llanelli had triumphed since 1973, so perhaps the cup deserves a permanent home at Stradey Park. A crowd of 27,500 – there was a full house at Twickenham for the English version – did not see the Scarlets' best until the final quarter. In fact, this, by comparison to the Powergen Cup final, was a distinctly underwhelming occasion. Some of the loudest cheers were reserved for score updates from the Vetch Field, the announcer, for some reason, believing that the sparse crowd here could not go 10 minutes without knowing the progress of Swansea City FC. Welsh rugby is in an even worse state than we thought.

In that final quarter Llanelli scored 22 points without reply. At least, without a reply on the scoreboard – there was plenty going on off the ball as the second half was peppered with dark deeds.

In the end the gulf in class between the clubs was underlined, and Llanelli's refusal to merge with another outfit for next season looked all the more justified. The only consolation for Newport is that the next time they meet the Scarlets, the Black and Ambers will be "reinforced'' by the addition of Ebbw Vale.

Four tries to nil tells its own story, and once Llanelli rode the physical contest they ran Newport into the ground. It was, in the end, simply a question of time.

Llanelli made hard work of a first half characterised not only by Newport's aggression but by poor passing and handling. The elements – outside there was rain and high winds – could not be blamed.

When Guy Easterby semi-streaked away to release Garan Evans, a try looked on until Barry Davies spilled the ball. This, incidentally, was not Easterby's full streak, which has become a party piece.

When the Scarlets were given a recent break and dispatched to the seaside resort of Tenby, Scott Quinnell, guardian of the kitty, led the squad into the first bar and ordered 25 pints. The landlord refused, telling Quinnell and his men that they were barred. It was only when the Wales and Lions No 8 turned around that the problem became apparent. Guy Easterby was stark brazen naked. He had removed every stitch of clothing, which was rolled up neatly beneath his right arm.

Talking of which, point Percy at the posts and Newport are in business. Percy Montgomery, the former Springbok glamour boy, had checked them into the final with nine penalties here against Bridgend, and he kicked Newport in front in the first minute yesterday. Stephen Jones levelled before Monty struck again with a long-range drop goal. Another penalty put Newport 9-3 ahead before Llanelli, luckily, took the half time lead.

New Zealander Shane Howarth, making his last appearance for Newport, attempted an inside pass to Montgomery which was intercepted by Dave Hodges, and the flanker released the left wing Mark Jones on a 60 yard sprint to the line. It was the beginning of the end, though Newport did not go down without taking a few prisoners.

Mike Voyle stuck an elbow into the face of Evans and then Chris Wyatt was led off with blood streaming from an eye wound. Wyatt had led with his head and copped a shiner from Chris Anthony. They were not isolated incidents. Simon Raiwalui, the Newport captain also making his swansong, flattened Guy Easterby with a late challenge and Salesi Finau did a similar thing to Matt Mostyn. The touch judges saw nothing.

Finau's introduction destroyed Newport, as he crashed through Howarth to lay on a second for Mark Jones, and then scored Llanelli's fourth with an unstoppable burst in injury time. In between, Leigh Davies, the Llanelli captain, scored a fine solo try with a dummy after Dwayne Peel had capitalised on some poor tackling from Newport.

Although Stephen Jones missed a couple of penalty attempts, in general play he showed why he is the best stand-off in Wales, and Llanelli did likewise as the best club in the principality.

There was not a single natural born Welshman in the Newport starting back line, although that will change when the regions are up and running next season.

Montgomery, on whose shoulders and boots Newport rely so heavily, will have another two years in Wales but for Howarth it was a sad end to an honourable career rudely interrupted by the Grannygate affair.

Llanelli 32 Newport 9
Tries: B Davies, M Jones 2, Finau
Cons: S Jones 3; Drop: Montgomery
Pens: S Jones 2; Pens: Montgomery 2

Half-time: 10-9 Attendance: 27,500

Llanelli: B Davies (S Finau, 60); M Jones, M Watkins, L Davies (capt), G Evans; S Jones, G Easterby; I Thomas, R McBryde, J Davies (M Madden, 60), V Cooper (L Gross, 57), C Wyatt, D Hodges, S Quinnell, S Easterby (D Peel, 80).

Newport: P Montgomery; M Mostyn, J Jones-Hughes (N Brew, 66), J Pritchard, A Cadwallader; S Howarth (J Strange, 72), O Tonu'u (D Llewellyn, 80); R Snow, P Young (J Richards, 80), C Anthony (A Garvey, 63), S Raiwalui (capt), M Voyle (M Veater, 67), I Gough, S Ojomoh (R Jones, 80), J Forster.

Referee: N Williams (Bryncoch).