Newport 22 Llandovery 21

NEWPORT secured a desperately needed victory to end a five-match losing streak by winning a thriller with the very last move of the game.

Full back Llywarch ap Myrddin managed to squeeze over in the corner for an unconverted try, his second of the game, to send the Rodney Parade faithful home with something to smile about for a change.

This victory still means they remain bottom of the league with just two games to go, but are now just three points adrift of nearest side Bridgend who are one place above them in 11th but who do have a game in hand.

The hosts had got off to a bright start after outside half Geraint O’Driscoll slotted over a fifth minute penalty to give them a 3-0 lead.

But it was short-lived because the Drovers hit back with a peach of a try soon after when wing Aaron Warren finished superbly for a converted touchdown.

It came after outside half James Garland’s delightful chip had found full back Mike Evans who opened up the Black and Ambers defence.

The exciting opening didn’t lead to an entertaining first half however as the game lost its shape as both sides made countless basic errors.

The Rodney Parade side dominated the scrums and their strength in this area was demonstrated when Llandovery tighthead prop Greg Cunniffe was yellow carded just before the interval after a number of set pieces collapsed five metres from their line.

The inevitable occurred in the 38th minute when Newport were awarded a penalty try by referee David Cambourne as they shoved the visitors’ pack back at a rate of knots, the touchdown converted by O’Driscoll.

The half ended all square at 10-10 however when Garland slotted over a penalty with the last kick of a mixed first 40 minutes.

Llandovery looked livelier in the early stages of the second half, their sharp backs probing the hosts’ defence.

But it was Newport who struck in the 49th minute when their excellent centre Dominic Franchi carved open the Drovers before the ball was recycled and North Walian ap Myrddin finished well for a fine try converted by O’Driscoll.

But the Drovers were right back in it not long after when number eight Richard Brooks crashed over in the corner for a soft unconverted try to reduce the arrears to 17-15 with just over 20 minutes left.

With the momentum shifting in the West Walians’ favour with a quarter of an hour to go, Garland put his side a point ahead with a penalty in front of the post after a sustained period of pressure.

Newport were given a lifeline when their wing Elliot Frewen was given space out wide and looked as if he might bring the house down, only to be just brought down.

But the Drovers gave away a penalty, O’Driscoll missing a relatively simple effort.

Frewen again went close as the home side threw everything into attack in the last ten minutes.

The streetwise visitors kept the ball well however, Garland adding another penalty with two minutes to go which looked to have been enough to win the game.

But Newport had other ideas and showed great commitment to steal it at the death.

Newport scorers: Tries – Penalty try (38), ap Myrddin (49), (80), Conversions – O’Driscoll (38), (49), Penalty – O’Driscoll (5).

Llandovery scorers: Tries – Warren (13), Richard Brooks (57), Conversion – Garland (13), Penalties – Garland (40), (65), (78).