NEWPORT ended a run of three straight defeats in the Principality Premiership with victory at the Gnoll – only their second league win of the campaign, writes Carl Field.
The Black & Ambers scored all of their points in the first half, with fly-half Matt O’Brien booting three penalties and a drop goal as they led 12-3 at the break.
Neath wing Aaron Grabham scored the only try of the match in the second period while ex-Newport full-back Ed Howley, who kicked their other points, missed the chance to snatch it when his last-gasp penalty bounced back off the right-hand post.
The visitors began on the front foot and were camped in the home 22 inside the opening 15 minutes but, despite several attempts to drive for the line, they were repelled by some stout Neath resistance.
Newport did eventually get the scoreboard ticking on 22 minutes when O’Brien booted over.
After a break from scrum-half Josh Guy appeared to finally get Neath going, Howley levelled the scores five minutes later after Newport had been pinged for offside.
But that was as good as it got in the first 40 minutes for Neath, who were a shadow of the adventurous side that put in a such a valiant display in defeat at Pontypridd five days earlier.
Howley had a chance to put Neath ahead with another penalty moments later, but his effort sailed just wide, before two more O’Brien penalties on 33 and 37 minutes put Newport 9-3 up.
The Newport fly-half then slotted a drop goal right on half time to make it 12-3.
Neath improved after the break and scored what turned out to be the only try of the match on 51 minutes.
After a move through the hands, Howley charged for the line down the right and released Grabham to run under the posts. Howley added the extras.
As the game entered the final knockings, replacement Rory Morgan-Williams twice went close to snatching victory for Neath but both of his drop goal attempts sailed agonisingly wide – before Howley was then denied at the death.
Neath – Try: A Grabham; Con: E Howley; Pen: E Howley
Newport – Pens: M O’Brien (3); DG: M O’Brien
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