CHAMPIONS END EBBW'S STREAK

NEWPORT head coach Ty Morris hailed his side’s fighting spirit after the Super Rygbi Cymru champions ended their five-match losing run with a 12-5 victory over Ebbw Vale in their Gwent derby showdown.

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Former Scarlets wing Steff Evans scored for Carmarthen Quins

It may not have been pretty, but this victory for the Black and Ambers ~ at the sixth time of asking - saw them stop the rot, while also sending the Steelmen to their first defeat of the campaign.

Ebbw came into the clash having taken a maximum 24 points from four wins, but they had to settle for just a losing bonus point.

An unconverted try from wing Dafydd Thomas gave Ebbw the lead after 11 minutes, but Newport hit back on 23 minutes with a try from left wing Fin Baker, which was converted by fly-half Jac Lloyd.

That was the way it stayed until Baker settled what was a largely error-strewn affair with his and Newport’s second try in the closing moments.

“As you can imagine, we're absolutely delighted with the win, especially with it being our first of the season and coming in such a big derby game,” said Newport chief Morris.

“Our victory was built on a strong defensive performance.

“We also stood up physically, matching them in the scrums and set-piece, which gave us the platform to build from.