JARED ROSSER turned in a man-of-the-match performance by scoring three tries as Ebbw Vale started the New Year with a hard-fought win over Neath at The Gnoll, writes Ian Mitchelmore.

The Dragons academy wing touched down after only three minutes before scoring a quickfire brace in the second-half to ensure The Steelmen won their fourth consecutive match in the Principality Premiership.

Centre Keiran Williams and scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams scored either side of half-time for the bottom side – but Ebbw Vale held on for their ninth league win of the campaign.

A knock-on from the hosts directly from kick off put Ebbw Vale on the front foot from the outset – as they were deep into Neath’s 22 after an early penalty.

And three minutes in, wing Rosser scrambled his way over the whitewash after a driving maul to touch down for his side’s first try of 2016.

Neath slowly grew into the game and saw Luke Price split the posts with a penalty on 20 minutes to register his side’s first points of the afternoon.

Both sides were guilty of conceding penalties on more than occasion as Neath looked to end the half strongly.

And the Ebbw Vale defence was breached for the first time only minutes before half-time as centre Williams raced over the try-line after gathering a pop pass from scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams.

Luke Price missed the conversion for the hosts to ensure The Steelmen trailed by two points as the break.

Ebbw Vale were dealt a blow early on in the second-half as flanker Cameron Regan had to be replaced due to injury – with Ethan Doyle coming on in his place.

But Neath were reduced to 14 men soon after as wing Kristian Phillips was yellow carded by referee Wayne Davies.

And Ebbw Vale made their numerical advantage count almost instantly as Rosser found space out wide to cross over for his second try of the afternoon – with Dai Langdon, playing against his old side, adding the extras.

The visitors continued to apply pressure and saw Dan Haymond launch a counter-attack before feeding Rosser who jinked his way beyond two tackles to touch down and complete his hat-trick – with Iain Smerdon kicking the conversion.

Neath responded with a try from Morgan-Williams who showed his blistering pace to run in a try from 40 metres with Price converting but the Steelmen held on to start the year with yet another victory.

Neath: A Bramwell (R Evans 72), K Phillips, C Morris, K Williams, J Jones, L Price, R Morgan-Williams; B Uphill (G Evans 61), A Morris (I Dobbs 50), J Ringer, R Bernardo, J Griffiths (capt) (R Jones 61), A Humfrey, C Price, C Davies (L Ward 50).

Tries: K Williams 37, R Morgan-Williams 64; Cons: L Price 65; Pens: L Price 20

Ebbw Vale: D Haymond, D Williams, N Preece, I Smerdon, J Rosser, D Langdon (J Howells 74), C Thomas (D Jones 56); I George (R Jones 50), J Franchi, G Robinson (L Bridges 70), D Hudd (capt), R Clarke, C Regan (E Doyle 44), R Kynes, L Crocker (I George 65).

Tries: J Rosser 3, 54, 58; Cons: D Langdon 55, I Smerdon 59

Argus Man of the Match: Jared Rosser (Ebbw Vale)