NEWPORT produced a clinical performance to dispatch Aberavon at the Talbot Athletic Ground, but their thunder was stolen by Neath just hours later.

The Welsh All Blacks edged out Pontypridd 20-18 at Sardis Road in their final game of the season to all but seal their third title on the spin, given their superior try count.

However, that cannot take away what has been an impressive first campaign in the Rodney Parade hotseat for Ian Hembrow, and he will be delighted by a thoroughly professional job against a determined Aberavon outfit.

The Wizards have struggled of late but matched Newport for tries, both crossing three times, and it required a resolute defensive stand by the visitors to take the spoils.

"The most important thing for us was three points today," said Hembrow. "I spoke to the players about not letting the season tail off and about how we needed to put down a marker for how far we have come this season.

"There was very little talking before the gameand at half-time. We all knew what was needed."

The clash at the Talbot Athletic Ground was an engaging one, with the lead changing hands several times, but in the end it was Newport who took the honours, and they can be thankful for the efforts of flanker Paul Williams and full back Richard Fussell.

Williams covered an incredible amount of the hard, sun-baked turf and it will be quite a battle for the number seven shirt when Craig Hill returns to fitness next season.

And Fussell produced his most tuned-in display in a Black and Amber shirt for quite some time, probing the Wizards' defence with his speed and well-chosen angles.

But Newport had to dig deep for the win and had to get over a shaky start in which the line-out didn't function and there were gaps in the midfield - a problem that cost them a week earlier against Neath.

The hosts opened the scoring after six minutes when robust centre Darren Ryan crashed over from wing Paul Bamsey's pop pass, outside-half Jamie Davies converting.

Newport chose to kick for the corner rather than go for goal from a number of penalties, only to fall short of the line, but they got back in the game on 15 minutes when wing Ryan Howells was put in by pivot Dan Griffiths, who then had his conversion charged down.

However, the hosts responded with a try by Darryl Thomas when the flanker was on Ryan's shoulder after another break by the centre.

Thomas flopped on the ball over the line after a covering Newport hand has tried to prevent the pass from going to its target.

Griffiths chipped away at the lead with a pair of penalties either side of the break, and then Fussell burst through a gaping hole in the Wizards' defence on 49 minutes to cross for Newport's second.

Though dogged Aberavon regained the initiative when prop Anthony Edwards was at the bottom of a rolling maul from 10 yards out, Newport didn't panic and got their reward on 61 minutes when a speculative Griffiths up and under was allowed to bounce by full back Gareth Knox, and centre Nathan Williams gathered and crossed under the posts.

The hosts introduced Ospreys hooker Richard Hibbard as a loosehead and he certainly made a difference with ball in hand, but Newport held firm and withstood a late Aberavon charge, while Paul Williams was in the sin bin, to notch a win that leaves them well placed for second place.

Aberavon: G Knox, R Carter, R Thomas, D Ryan, P Bamsey, J Davies, R Lewis (D Hawkins 20), N White (M Harris 54), M Breeze (C Wells HT), A Edwards (R Hibbard 74), A Fisher, C Gittins (captain), R Morgan (M Breeze 78), D Thomas, R Morris.

Scorers - tries: Ryan, Thomas, Edwards; conversions: Davies (3). Yellow card: Wells (74).

Newport: R Fussell, R Howells, N Williams, S Williams, M Poole, D Griffiths, Matthew Thomas, D Pattison (captain, I Evans 77), A Brown, G Robinson, M Workman, A Frampton (T Organ 64), M Veater, P Williams, R Dale.

Scorers - tries: Howells, Fussell, N Williams; conversions: Griffiths (3); penalties: Griffiths (2). Yellow card: P Williams (80+1).