BRISTOL warmed up for their Guinness Premiership opener with

Bath next Sunday by thrashing Welsh Premier Division Newport at

Rodney Parade today.

The Memorial Stadium outfit scored 42 unanswered points in

26 first-half minutes after flanker Andrew Blowers crossed on

five minutes.

David Lemi, who had scored only one try in 2008, added a

superb touch down four minutes later when he coasted through a

gap before beating his opposite winger Steve Taylor for

pace.

Lemi then turned provider, passing for Junior Fatialofa to

score. Skipper Joe El-Abd strolled over for try number four on

16 minutes before Fatialofa bounced off the tacklers to

complete his brace on 21 minutes.

The Samoan, who signed for the club from Exeter during the

summer, had impressed with his tackling, hard running and

distribution but was taken off as a precaution after suffering

a hamstring twinge.

Bristol weren't finished, though, with Tom Arscott going

over in the corner. Fly-half Adrian Jarvis kicked six

conversions from six attempts for a 42-0 half-time lead.

The tries kept coming with Greg Barden setting up full-back

Vungo Lilo for a brace of tries on 45 and 47 minutes, Ed Barnes

adding both conversions.

But Newport hit back with two tries through No 8 and captain

Andrew Coombs and replacement back row Dan McShane. Dan

Griffiths kicked a conversion.

Newport's final try came with 17 minutes to go.