Classy Newport completed a Heineken Cup double over Newcastle as they grounded the Falcons in unceremonious fashion at Rodney Parade.

Neither side could reach the quarter-finals following some erratic pool six performances but Newport at least finished on a high against an unfamiliar-looking Newcastle team.

Falcons boss Rob Andrew rested the likes of Jamie Noon, Tom May, Stewart Grimes and Jon Dunbar, while England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson was another absentee.

Newport though, showed little mercy as they followed up a 34-21 triumph at Kingston Park last September with another comfortable success.

Wing Matthew Watkins led the onslaught with a hat-trick of tries, while there were also touchdowns for Jason Forster, Andy Marinos, Andrew Powell and Joe Powell.

Newport's Canadian prop Rod Snow guaranteed two of the loudest cheers when he twice sent Falcons skipper Pat Lam sprawling with a couple of trademark charges, and fly-half Jason Strange also played a major part in a record Heineken Cup win for the Black and Ambers. Strange booted 18 points from six conversions and two penalties.

But there was also a sour note to report following the violence and racist allegations of recent days with two spectators among an 8,000 crowd ejected for using abusive language.

Newcastle handed European debuts to four players at various stages of the game, and that lack of experience meant the Falcons were no match for a fired-up and slick Newport side.

Scrum-half Gary Armstrong and fly-half Dave Walder grabbed consolation tries, but Newcastle end their first season of Heineken Cup rugby with five defeats from six games.

Newport were left to rue what might have been, chiefly a home loss to group winners Leinster in a match that they dominated, but on this form, they appear strong favourites to lift the Welsh-League title.

Newport wasted little time getting into their stride, Strange slotting a third-minute penalty and then Forster sprinting 20 metres unopposed after he was put clear by fellow flanker Peter Buxton.

Walder opened Newcastle's account with a penalty, yet Newport underlined their control as Marinos touched down after a spell of sustained pressure, Strange converting and then landing another penalty.

Newcastle lost wing Liam Botham through injury just before half-time, and Watkins then pounced for his opening score to give Newport a 27-3 interval lead.

There was no let up after the break, with Andrew Powell posting an early score that Strange improved, before Watkins and Joe Powell claimed tries in quick succession after Armstrong went over.

Walder collected a fine individual try to threaten a small degree of respectability, but Newport and Watkins typically had the final word, crossing for try number seven to bring a half century when Newcastle simply ran out of defensive numbers.