It was an opportunity they took, their 41-14 victory at Parc y Scarlets meaning they are now two points clear of Bedwas going into their final game of the season against Pontypridd next Saturday.
Whatever happens this weekend, Llanelli have given themselves a great chance of progressing to the play-off, doing exactly what they needed to yesterday.
Three first half tries gave the home side a convincing 24-3 lead at half time, Nic Reynolds continuing his impressive recent scoring record with the opener on 10 minutes. Dale Ford and Wales Under 20 man Daniel Thomas added further scores with Jordan Williams converting all three tries and kicking a 17th minute penalty.
And although Newport fought back after half time, Ford added a second while Kristian Phillips completed the scoring.
The Black and Ambers responded with a penalty try and a Dafydd Rosser effort but it was not enough.
While Bedwas and Llanelli sit in second and third currently, next weekend’s fixtures promise to be intriguing with Bedwas welcoming Llandovery.
The Drovers kept themselves firmly in the mix with a convincing home win over Neath. With the likes of Rhodri Williams, Richie Pugh and recent player of the month Kieran Murphy all starting, Llandovery had far too much for the Welsh All Blacks.
Wing Lee Rees crossed twice in the first half, his two tries sandwiched either side of an effort from lock Shaun Jones. Cerith Rees converted all three scores and while Llandovery did receive two yellow cards, Christopher Knight and Murphy added late scores to seal the much needed bonus point.
Neath’s only response came with a try from Wales Under 18 winger Dafydd Howells.
In the two remaining games to take place, there was hardly a shortage of tries in the matches between Aberavon and Swansea and Cardiff and Carmarthen Quins.
At the Arms Park, it was Quins who were 35-49 winners as both sides played some Barbarian style rugby.
Cardiff had made a bright start, Thomas Young bursting through on several occasions. But the Quins scored first, Jason Harries on the end of a move that had started inside their own half. Two minutes later and they had doubled their tally, Lee Williams touching down following another sweeping move. The bonus point was then secured with Aled Thomas given a run in and Williams adding his second.
Cardiff’s first points came just before half time, the impressive Young taking a tap penalty that resulted in Darren Ryna going over, Jason Tovey adding the extras. The Quins though scored just before the break when James Davies responded for the visitors.
The second half saw more of the same. Cardiff threatened a comeback as Garyn Lucas and Richard Smith scored but the Quins kept control as Harries added to his own tally and Dan Newton kicked two penalties.
Shaun Powell got the Cardiff bonus and Dan Fish scored under the posts but it was the visitors who scored the final try, man of the match James Davies touching down with a few minutes left.
At the Port Talbot Athletic Ground, Aberavon were 43-16 winners over Swansea in a local derby. Wing Richard Carter scored two of the Wizards’ five tries.
