Lewis makes rusty Steelmen look like champions again

AFTER a shock defeat in their opening game at Llanelli, the champions got back to business with a 33-17 home win.

Outside-half Josh Lewis helped himself to 23 points as he first put the boot into Newport and then added a try from a charge down.

Newport, seeking their first win of the season, took the lead with an early penalty from Arwel Robson, but midway through a very tight first half Ebbw Vale levelled with the first of Lewis’ four penalties.

Newport skipper Adam Brown picked up a yellow card and the Steelmen made their advantage count when Ronny Kynes pounced on a loose ball behind the visitors’ line for a sucker try that Lewis converted. The champions then turned the screw with a try from wing Chris Levesley that Lewis again improved to make it 17-3 at half time.

Lewis kept the scoreboard ticking over for the home side as his second penalty extended the lead.

Brendan Lampitt gave Newport a lift with a try that Matt O’Brien improved to cut the gap to ten points, but Lewis then added another penalty from fully 50 metres.

Dragons wing Ashton Hewitt then ran in the try of the game and O’Brien’s conversion cut the gap to a single score.

But neither Lewis nor the Steelmen were in any mood to be denied and the outside-half added a fourth penalty before charging down a kick for a try.

Star man

Josh Lewis - Ebbw Vale