With power arms in Tayler Rowe (Saints) and Luke Abels (Newport) matched for this contest, most pundits would have expected a low-scoring defensive affair through the early innings.

Not to be, however, as the Rams plated one in the first and exploded in the top of the second as Troy Malthouse blasted a grand slam off Rowe after Saints had slipped up in defence to allow runners on.

While Sean Talbot and Emerson Rickard held the line after that outburst, Saints struggled for offensive production against Abels and then Tim Reid, who received superb offensive support from Malthouse (four RBIs), Aaron Green (three hits) and Justin Charles.

NEWPORT 1 6 1 1 0 (9) 1 error

SAINTS 0 0 0 2 0 (2) 4 errors

Hits.

Newport: A.Green 3, J.Charles 2, J.Thorne, T.Malthouse (home run), Z.Seipolt, L.Condie

RBIs.

T.Malthouse 4, J.Walshe, J.Thorne, J.Charles, Z.Seipolt

Pitching.

L.Abels 3 inn, 2 H, 4 Ks, 1 BB, 1 HPB, 0 ER

T.Reid 2 inn, 4 H, 4 Ks, 2 BB, 0 HPB, 2 ER