NEWPORT endured a difficult afternoon at Rodney Parade where the unfortunate loss of three key players to injury in the first half had a significant impact on the outcome.

The first forced to leave the fray was influential scrum-half James Leadbeater with a groin strain after just over a quarter of an hour’s play.

Second rower Alex Jones followed just a few minutes later when he hobbled off with an ankle problem.

And if that wasn’t bad enough, centre Alan Awcock seemed to have badly damaged his wrist just before the interval.

And matters had been compounded with playmaker Lewis Robling away on Newport Gwent Dragons duty on Friday night.

The Black and Ambers outside-half made his regional debut in the centre during the Dragons’ 24-19 in Firhill against Glasgow.

With Gareth Bowen injured and Ryan Jones suspended, Dragons Academy player Niall Martin was thrust into the limelight and the teenager, just 18, did OK on his debut.

And despite a valiant team effort, Newport were second best against a crack high-flying Aberavon side who won their fifth league game out of six on Saturday.

Things had started so well for the home side after they took an early lead through a Leadbeater penalty.

They got the better of the early exchanges but workmanlike Aberavon were soon back in the game thanks to their deadly outside-half Jamie Davies – who didn’t miss a shot at goal all day – converting their pressure into points.

He hit three first-half penalties to take his side into a 9-3 half-time lead in what was a forgettable lacklustre opening 40 minutes.

The second half was scarcely any better in terms of entertainment.

Although Newport made a number of line-breaks, Matthew Pewtner in particular caused serious problems for the Wizards, they were unable to capitalise on promising situations.

Davies’ fourth penalty made it 12-3 before centre Ben John’s converted try killed the game off with ten minutes to go as this strange game fizzled out.

For Newport, openside flanker Darren Waters played with plenty of guts and replacement Sam Waldron did a sterling job when he came on for Alex Jones. Newport: E Frewen, I Evans, A Awcock (O Broad 38), S Williams (W Rees-Hole 70), M Pewtner, N Martin, J Leadbeater (J Davies 17), D Pattison (D Watchurst 54), A Brown (capt) (S Parry 54), T Davies, D Rosser, A Jones (S Waldron 23), R Jenkins, D Waters (C Hill 64), H Stoddart.

Scorer: Penalty – James Leadbeater.

Aberavon: H Thomas, R Carter, B John, W Price, C Lewis (R Thomas 72), J Davies, D Pritchard, N White (R Jenkins 56), G Harvey (D Harvey 60), W Taylor (A Edwards 56), I Moore (R Morris 52), S Williams (R Gierat 40), D Thomas, R Morris, C Davies (capt).

Scorers: Try – Ben John; conversion – Jamie Davies; penalties – J Davies.

Referee: Leighton Hodges.

Argus star man: Jamie Davies.