Swansea took a significant stride on the road to the Welsh-Scottish League title as they saw off Newport's challenge in a disappointing encounter at St Helens.

The result effectively spells the end of Newport's bid to claim their first league championship.

And to complete a black evening for the Gwent side fly-half Shane Howarth had to leave the field with what appeared a serious shoulder injury, three weeks before his club face Neath in the Principality Cup final.

Swansea wing Shaun Payne scored the game's only try when he crossed early in the second half, while Gavin Henson contributed 14 points with three penalties, a dropped goal and a conversion.

It was not a vintage performance from the league leaders as they looked to recover from last weekend's beating by Neath in the Principality Cup semi final.

But they were good enough to subdue the visitors, who paid the price for some slipshod line out work.

Payne's 43rd minute try came after Geraint Lewis, Tyrone Maullin and Mark Taylor had combined smoothly in the Newport 22.

With the cover stretched, the South African wing was able to cost across for a score Henson converted.

Henson, who went on to complete a hat-trick of penalties, was later named man of the match.

Swansea had led 9-3 at the break but had hardly been convincing.

They were turned over a number of times and could not achieve fluency behind, with the ball frequently spilled in contact.

Henson, playing only his second full game at fly-half for his club, gave Swansea a six-point lead with a couple of penalties midway through the half.

He missed a straightforward chance to add to his points tally when he was wide with a 30 metre shot but atoned minutes later with a spectacular dropped goal.

With his back to the posts some 35 metres out, the teenager turned and struck superbly in one movement, the ball flying high between the centre of the posts.

Newport responded through a penalty from Howarth and spent the rest of the half going forward, albeit with a malfunctioning line out.

But Swansea upped the tempo in the third quarter and it was enough to seal an important win.