Amber and Blacks nudge to victory in basement battle

NEWPORT triumphed over Cross Keys at Pandy Park in a match where both sides struggled to get going.

With two tries apiece it was Newport’s penalty goals that proved to be the difference between two sides who are both struggling in Principality Premiership East.

The first half started slowly with the two teams looking nervy and it took until 16 minutes in for a moment of note and both teams were given a chance to regroup as a nasty injury to Newport's Josh Reid resulted in a 15-minute delay as he received treatment.

When the game restarted, Cross Keys’ Josh Skinner put his name on the scoresheet with the first try and Josh Prosser converted. It wasn’t long after that Newport’s Haydn Palmer responded with a try, but the Black and Ambers couldn’t convert.

On the stroke of half time Newport had a penalty which Haydn Simmons kicked to put his side up by just a single point at the break.

But two penalty goals from Simons and a penalty try led Newport to victory when the game resumed.

Just two minutes from time Barney Nightingale scored a consolation try for the hosts but Cross Keys failed to convert.

The defeat for Keys leaves them second from bottom on points difference, while Newport rise to mid table and have a game in hand over many of their rivals in the Principality Premiership East. Star man Haydn Simmons - Newport