OUTSIDE half Haydn Simons steered Newport to a satisfying and much-needed victory over a poor Cross Keys side in this Gwent derby match at Pandy Park, writes Iwan Gabe Davies.

Simons is definitely a player to keep an eye on in the future because he looks to be a really mature performer in the pivot spot with his eye for an opening whether in attack or defence and his reliable goal-kicking.

Simons marshalled the hard-working Newport men particularly well in the second half and he ended by kicking a ‘hat-trick’ of penalty goals to ensure his team’s deserved victory.

Newport’s other scores came from a fine Haydn Palmer 70 metres opportunist try in the 36th minutes after a great burst down the left flank and a penalty try midway through the second half following a strong surge by the visitors’ pack.

The only thing that marred the win was what looked like a serious head injury to flanker Josh Reid when he was trying to make a tackle in the 14th minute.

Play was stopped for at least 15 minutes while he received treatment on the field before being stretchered to the dressing rooms.

Cross Keys will want to quickly forget this poor performance with their scores coming from from a 33rd minute touchdown by lock Josh Skinner, converted by outside half Josh Prosser, after one of their all-too-few fluent passing movements, and a consolation by Barney Nightingale in the closing stages.

Both clubs had made a disappointing start to the season with each managing just two wins from their previous six matches.

Keys were beaten 26-12 at Pontypridd in their last outing while the Black and Ambers suffered a miserable 35-14 home defeat at the hands of Bargoed.

The Gwent rivals met four times last season. The Pandy Park men recorded a Principality Premiership league ‘double’ while the sides each cashed in upon home advantage to share the spoils in the Fosters Challenge Cup competition.

Cross Keys had the first chance to take the lead but fly half Prosser’s third minute penalty attempt from 40 metres dropped short of the posts. Newport put together some bright passing movements, well orchestrated by outside half Simons, but they were let down by poor finishing.

In the 14th minute home right wing Mathew Powell had the visitors in trouble with a sharp 40 metres burst up the touchline. Up popped Simons again to save the day by launching a strong counter attack from inside his 22 metres line.

Newport suffered a setback when they lost the services of wing forward Reid with what appeared to be a serious neck injury. He needed nearly 15 minutes of medical attention on the field before being carried off on stretcher. Joe Cullimore came on as his replacement.

Keys took a 7-0 lead in the 33rd minute when a concerted attack resulted in Skinner grabbing a try for Prosser to add the conversion points.

Back came the Black and Ambers with a 70 metres solo touchdown from left wing Haydn Palmer after he had been put away by centre Tom Pascoe. O’Driscoll failed with the conversion attempt.

Simons edged the visitors 8-7 ahead at the interval with a 38 metres penalty goal and edged them clear from the tee after the break.

Cross Keys – Tries: J Skinner, B Nightingale Cons: J Prosser

Newport - Tries: Haydn Palmer and a penalty try Pens: H Simons (3)

Cross Keys: L Andrews; M Powell, B Nightingale, P Williams ( B Snell 70), L Lewis; J Prosser, J Leadbeater (R Pritchard 70); C Hewlett (L Smout 71), R Jones (G Carpenter 76), N Buck, T Lampard (D Mock 75), J Skinner, L Davies (J Thomas 53), S Matthews, capt. and A Powell.

Newport: G O’Driscoll; C Howells (A Sabri 43), C Smith, T Pascoe, Haydn Palmer; H Simons, O Davies; J Lavender (M Prosser 69), W Evans (Henry Palmer 43), G Harris (T Piper 69), M Burgess (R Cresswell 71), J Bartlett, J Reid (J Cullimore30), K Tayler and R Jenkins, capt.

Referee: Mr Aled Evans (WRU)

Star man: Haydn Simons (Newport)