Wondrous Williams’ hat-trick sinks Newport

A HAT-TRICK from outside half John Rhys Williams inspired Swansea to a bonuspoint victory over Newport at St Helen’s in the Principality Premiership.

The fly-half helped himself to 22 of his side’s points, with hooker Ifan Phillips also going over.

Williams got the scoreboard ticking with a penalty after seven minutes and was over for the first of his three tries five minutes later after charging down an attempted clearance from opposite number Matt O’Brien inside the visiting 22.

That was the way it stayed until four minutes before the break when the hosts extended their lead and again, it was Williams the scorer following a period of sustained pressure. This time, he did convert as Swansea took a 150 lead into the break.

Phillips then got himself on the scoresheet on 61 minutes with the try unconverted and, 10 minutes later, Swansea were celebrating again as Williams found a gap in the visitors’ defence following a lineout and dived over to complete his treble and secure maximum points. He also booted his second conversion.

Newport did eventually get themselves on the scoresheet a minute from time with their unconverted consolation try scored by back-rower Josh Skinner.

The win for Swansea avenged their 9-3 reverse at Rodney Parade back in November and was also a ninth league win on the bounce on their home patch in South Wales.