NEWPORT beat fierce rivals Cardiff 23-20 in a tense clash at Rodney Parade thanks to Will Reed's late penalty.

Black and Ambers boss Ty Morris had demanded a response from his side after their poor performance when losing to Pontypridd on opening weekend of the Premiership Cup.

He got it despite a lengthy list of absentees after Newport stunned a formidable Cardiff side who were on the brink of the title before the pandemic and who hammered RGC 60-5 six days earlier.

The Blue and Blacks struck first through centre Harri Millard with Jack Maynard adding the extras.

The hosts quickly responded through back rower Ben Roach, a sevens international, after 15 minutes, fly-half Reed levelling things up.

Tries were traded approaching half-time with 18-year-old wing Oli Andrew crossing out wide after Jake Thomas had regained Cardiff's lead, Reed and Dan Fish kicking the respective conversions.

The second half was a more cagey affair and Reed kicked penalties either side of efforts by Maynard and Ioan Evans.

The 19-year-old Dragons academy playmaker held his nerve from the tee with five minutes to go to get Newport up and running in the eastern conference.