NEWPORT coach Sven Cronk was full of praise for his side’s spirit and the finishing skills of wing Elliott Frewen, who grabbed the Black and Ambers a late winning try at Carmarthen Park.

The Gwent outfit were staring at a fourth defeat in five outings as the Quins led 25-16 going into the final quarter.

But a late rally which included a fine finish from No 8 Craig Everett and then a 70-metre dash into the left corner from 25-year-old Frewen in the fifth minute of injury time sent Newport into raptures and also handed them a bonus point.

“Despite the clock running down we knew there was plenty of time left and there is plenty of spirit in the group,” said Cronk. “We know Elliott can finish, but that try at the end I think was his best finish yet.”

When Frewen, Newport’s leading try-scorer last season, picked up the ball in his own 22 nothing much looked on but he sprinted for his life down the flank, and just when the home defence seemed to have regrouped he put on the after-burners and made it into the left corner.

The Quins, who had to make do with a losing bonus point, probably thought they had the game sewn up after brothers Andrew and Chris Banfield scored tries in the space of three minutes to open up a 25-16 lead on the hour mark.

Newport had led 11-8 at half-time and then 16-11 shortly afterwards with a first-half try from Ryan Prosser and Frewen’s first 10 minutes into the second half.

Cronk put the victory down to a good team spirit in the camp.

“I think we deserved everything we got.

“We are full of heart and commitment, which on the back of Wednesday’s home defeat to Bedwas is a credit to the players.

“We came through and it is a testament to the group.”

On the downside he added: “We are talking about building our game but it’s individual errors which are affecting our game.

“People put pressure on us from outside but we are an honest group of people. We were not helped that we were without 10 players – four centre and two tighthead props. We get a win down in Carmarthen so we will take it.”