Connacht 18 Newport 12
Connacht maintained their 100 per cent Celtic League record at the expense of a struggling Newport side at the Galway Sportsground tonight.
Connacht's tally of two tries - one in each half - merited this victory as Newport looked for long periods like a team lacking in confidence.
Connacht went into half-time just two points ahead despite dominating for lengthy periods.
They had little to show for their efforts despite a bright start, creating two try opportunities but failing to finish off.
Connacht's reward came after 16 minutes when full-back James Norton scored his first try of the campaign.
The debutant was the grateful recipient of some slick Elwood handling, but with plenty still to do from 40 metes out, he created the midfield gap, side-stepping the defence, and raced in for a worthy try.
Elwood missed the conversion, but he made amends with a 22nd minute penalty to stretch the lead to 8-0 after Newport offended in the ruck.
Newport were forced to rely on the boot of Shane Howarth who closed the gap with two penalty attempts late in the half.
But once again it was the home side who were more enterprising in attack.
Captain Tim Allnut had made the hard yards before Elwood's double skip pass found left wing Wayne Munn, and he injected the necessary pace to race in after 46 minutes, with Elwood adding the conversion.
Newport, unable to penetrate the organised Connacht defence, were forced to rely on Howarth's boot, and he kicked them back into contention with two penalties to close the gap to 15-12.
Capitalising on a number of Newport handling errors, Connacht ensured their victory when Elwood potted a simple effort in front of the posts after linking with Darren Yapp, Allnut, and replacement flanker O'Connor.
PA