NEWPORT followed the solar eclipse in getting blotted out by resourceful Neath at The Gnoll, writes Tony Poole.

A fifth successive Welsh Premiership defeat for the Black and Ambers – whose last league victory dates back to January 17 and a 25-21 home win over Carmarthen Quins - has left them in even darker place at the bottom.

They continue to trail Bridgend by six points while the gap with Neath has stretched to a daunting 11 points.

To now dodge the stigma of finishing bottom, Newport will have to overshadow Cross Keys, Llandovery and Aberavon during imminent Rodney Parade clashes.

And a date has yet to be announced for their remaining league fixture – away to reigning champions Pontypridd.

Ironically, when the Welsh Premiership was launched back in 2003, Newport and Neath were trailblazers with Newport crowned inaugural champions.

Since then both clubs have endured leaner times, and it was much in evidence during this basement battle of endurance.

With the ground only partially lit – owing to a floodlight fault – Newport took a dim view of turning the ball over in the 10th minute.

Scrum-half Tom James took up the running, and sent flanker Alun Jones in for a corner try that fly-half James Thomas goaled.

The Blacks doubled the lead in the 23rd minute when Ospreys flanker Jordan Collier made the thrust for scrum-half James to touchdown at the posts. Fly-half Thomas converted.

Neath enhanced the lead soon after, taking play through the phases before centre Luke Ford cut through for a try that fly-half Thomas once more improved on.

It took Newport 36 minutes to reach the home 22, but the move eventually petered out when they infringed at a breakdown.

Neath led 21-0 at the turnaround, but gradually more was seen of the Black and Ambers through back row men Sam Feehan, Adam Frampton and Rhys Jenkins.

Though Newport began to win more promising field positions, the game turned scrappy with errors blighting play.

However, there was a glimmer of hope for Newport in the 63rd minute when Neath scrum-half James was yellow-carded.

And they made the extra man count in the 70th minute when full-back Llwarch ap Myrddin burst clear for a try that fly-half

Geraint O’Driscoll converted.

Neath responded with a James Thomas penalty in the 73rd minute to wind down the yellow card, but all the threat was now coming from Newport.

And during stoppage-time, replacement lock Ross Gibbon was driven over for a try with fly-half O’Driscoll adding the extras.

But ultimately the Black and Ambers, who dominated the second half, paid the price for a slow start.

NEATH: A Jenkins (R Cole 71); J Davies, R Evans, L Ford (D Howell 54), J Jones; J Thomas, T James (J Matavesi 75); A Coundley (N Downs 77), S Crocker (I Dobbs 75), M Jones (D Hopkins 80), A Humfrey, J Barley (J Griffiths 77), J Collier, L Beach (capt), A Jones (S Jones 81)

Scorers: Try: A Jones, T James, L Ford; Pen: J Thomas Cons: J Thomas (3).

NEWPORT: L ap Myrddin; E Frewen, N Edwards, D Franchi, R Wilson; G O’Driscoll, A Quick (T Marley 78); J Greenfield (D Pattison 70), A Brown (D Rogers 57), L Fairbrother (J Monck 80), A Brown (capt), D Partridge (R Gibbon 57), A Frampton, S Feehan, R Jenkins

Scorers: Tries: L ap Myrddin, R Gibbon; Cons: G O’Driscoll (2).

REFEREE: David Cambourne (Treharris).