PRINCIPALITY Premiership champions Ebbw Vale won this rough and tumble derby against their old and bitter Gwent rivals and so register their first win of the season at Eugene Cross Park, writes Huw S Thomas.

In a fixture that goes back to the 1890-1891 season, Ebbw were the better side in the first half, Newport the better after the break and the visitors were unfortunate to lose by such a seemingly wide margin.

Hero of the day for the winners was fly half Josh Lewis whose fine goal kicking and 23 points made him an obvious man of the Mach.

Newport started the better with Arwel Robson leading a great counter attack which eventually ended with the fly half kicking a third minute penalty from in front of the posts.

Ebbw were soon on the attack but the Black and Ambers kept in to the lead by boldly defending two typical close range line out thrusts by the Steelmen pack.

There was increasing presssure on the Newport line and the home side would have gone into the lead if skipper Damien Hudd had not given a poor pass to well placed supporting players.

Soon after, Ebbw were level with a penalty from fly half Josh Lewis, only for the visitors to surge downfield and were denied by a fine line out steal from Ebbw flanker Rhys Clarke.

After a yellow card for Newport skipper and lock Adam Brown for a dangerous tackle, Ebbw took advantage of loose passing by the visitors back line.

It gave flanker Ronny Kynes the chance to snatch up the loose ball and cross, Lewis converting well.

Home lock Joe Bartlett was yellow carded for another dangerous tackle but when Newport lost the ball in mid field, wing Chris Leversley was quickly on to it and sprinted in from 45 metres for a try converted by Lewis for a 17-3 half time lead.

A Lewis penalty lengthened that lead only for Ebbw to be reduced to 13 men when replacement prop Rob Sevenoaks was yellow carded at a scrum.

Newport responded with a try from No 8 Brendon Lampitt, converted by replacement fly half Matt O’Brien before Lewis knocked over his third penalty to keep his side ahead 23-10.

Prop Ian George got Ebbw’s third yellow card as Newport upped the tempo and a try by wing Ashton Hewitt plus an O'Brien conversion closed the gap to six points.

Newport threatened to sneak a win in a hectic last 10 minutes but a penalty, try and conversion by Lewis sealed a flattering win for Ebbw.

Ebbw Vale Tries: R Kynes, C Leversley, J Lewis Cons: J Lewis (3) Pens: J Lewis (4)

Newport Tries:B Lampitt, A Hewitt Cons: M O’Brien (2) Pens: A Robson

Ebbw Vale: D Haymond; C Leversley,J Howells, D Langdon, R Gardner; J Lewis, C Thomas (B Ellis 75); I George (J Harries 68), M Williams (J Franchi 75), G Robinson (R Sevenoaks 45), D Hudd (capt) (E Doyle 76), J Bartlett (R Pitman 50); R Clarke, H Keddie (J Jacas 75), R Kynes

Newport: G O’Driscoll; A Hewitt, T Riley (O Williams 20), C Smith, E Frewen; A Robson (M O’Brien h/t), O Davies (R James h/t); J Lavender (M Prosser 70), H Palmer, G Harris, A Brown (capt), R Jones, R Tucker, B Lampitt (K Tayler 75), C Attwell R Tucker

Referee: Dan Jones (Bristol)

Star Man: Josh Lewis (Ebbw Vale)