Newport were more streetwise in overturning Neath, who slumped to their
eighth defeat in ten league games.
The Black and Ambers were indebted to their returning winger Mike Poole, who
powered over after just nine minutes
But, as the story of the season so far, it was a case of the home side being
nailed for yet more defensive discipline issues.
Coach Neil Edwards will want to get to grips with these issues before next
Friday's trip to neighbours Swansea, which only a few short seasons ago was a
match between the top two, in the Premiership grand final.
Newport got the better of the opening exchanges and, after a couple of
penalties pushed the,m into the Neath half, the visitors claimed a lineout
between the home ten and 22
The ball was worked into the backs, before a sweet inside ball put Poolei
into space from five metres out, and he was not to be denied.
Scott Sneddon added the conversion for a 7-0 lead for the visitors.
There followed a period of play that summed up Neath's season, several
opportunities for breaks but handling errors or ill-discipline at the ruck area
scupperring scoring chances.
There was a lot of debate on the terrace as to the officials interpretations
of the law, but the old adage has always been, even since I was a kid - play
the whistle and play the ref in front of you.
Neath did finally get on the board in a busy period of injury time.
Dai Langdon landed three penalties on 40, 42 and 43 minutes, after Newport's
discipline eluded them, and the Blacks had an unlikely lead of 9-7 at half
time.
After the break Newport came back firing and within ten minutes had retaken
the lead, following hands on the floor, via Sneddon's boot.
The former Cardiff and Wanderers man added another penalty on 53, this time
for not rolling away, and the visitors had a 13-9 lead.
Frustration grew for the Neath faithful on the hour after referee Perkins
binned Captain Lee Evans for, what he deemed persistent infringement.
This raised the ire of the home crowd, most of whom felt the visitors
deserved a card in the blaze of penalties just before half time.
:
Newport carried on regardless and even a change of kicker couldn't throw them
off kilter, as Geraint O'Driscoll took over where Sneddon had left off, adding
a further penalty on 72 to confirm the victory at 19-9
There was a sense of frustration at full time that, even though Newport
deserved the win, this was one that got away for Neath.
Coaches Edwards and Horgan will need to regroup the squad ready for Friday's
trip to St.Helen's.
