Instead, the Black and Ambers went down to a narrow 21-23 defeat in a contest which has to be the toughest the Quins have faced so far this season.
Newport were in the box seat for most of this encounter and although Carmarthen fly half Craig Evans, who is proving to be a superb signing for the Quins, put them into a two-point lead, the home side could still have claimed a late victory.
“We didn’t do enough with the ball to win it,” said Newport head coach Sven Cronk.
“We defended well but just didn’t hold on to the ball. The boys opened up really well but then we switched off in attack.”
Newport led 18-13 at the break, Dom Franchi crossing for an early try with Geraint O’Driscoll converting. It soon got better with Elliot Frewen adding a second and at that stage, the previously unbeaten Quins had problems.
But with a 12-0 lead, Newport let things slip. Dylan Morgans and Iolo Evans both crossed for scores, the second coming from an effortless Craig Evans cross-kick.
O’Driscoll got Newport back on track with a pair of penalties before half-time and another quickly after the resumption put them in a great position to secure four points.
However, Quins once again worked their way back into the game. Another cross-kick by Craig Evans found namesake Iolo with Howard Thomas completing the win.
