Gareth Llewellyn’s side, who ended up bottom of the table with only one win in 22 games last season, ran in five tries at The Gnoll to beat Keys 33-13. Newport held off Llanelli to reach the final with a last gasp, 22-17 win at Rodney Parade.
“We are the second youngest team in the league and we’ve done a lot of growing up this season. Reaching the final has given us something positive to aim at and scrap for, but we want to be battling at the top of the table next season,” said Llewellyn.
“If we can win some silverware it would mean we’ve reached the first rung on the ladder we need to step out of the deep pit we were in at the club. Last season we were trying to get players to stick with us, now we’ve got players asking to stay and others asking to join.
“We are trying to raise standards and while we wanted to be in the top eight, it might have played into our hands to be in Tier 2 this season because we’ve been able to pick up some wins, build some confidence and develop the squad.
“It is encouraging that we are that much better than we were last season and even at the beginning of this campaign. But there is still so much more to do and there are lots of things at which we can become better.
“We still miss too many opportunities and still make a few too many mistakes. Things are beginning to stir at the club and we want to give players from the town and the Neath locality a chance to prove themselves.
“Geraint Evans has provided a steadying influence, Ed Howley has been fantastic for us and we are now starting to look a little bit like a Neath pack should.”
The ultra-reliable Ed Howley chipped in with 13 points as he scored one of his side’s five tries and kicked four conversions. Aaron Grabham scored twice for Neath and Charlie Davies and Chris Morgans got the other tries.
Keys, who had already beaten Neath twice in three outings this season, took an early lead with a Josh Prosser penalty and ere only 5-3 adrift at the break after the first of Grabham’s scores. Prosser then lifted his side back into the lead with a second penalty before the home side took firm control.
There were 28 points without reply to seal the final place from the home team and a last minute try from James McCarthy, converted by Prosser, was only enough to give the visitors something to smile about on their journey home
Meanwhile, at Rodney Parade a late Matt Prosser try saw Newport book their place in the final. The Black & Ambers were trailing Llanelli 17-12 with just minutes left on the clock before they mounted a dramatic finish.
Geraint O’Driscoll’s penalty saw them move back to within two points before Prosser stole the show in the dying moments. Dion Jones had opened the scoring on 10 minutes for a Llanelli side who made the brighter start.
James Little crossed for Newport 14 minutes later with Matt O’Brien kicking the extras. But Llanelli restored their advantage on the cusp of half time when full-back Jones dotted down and converted his own score.
And after the break the advantage grew healthier for the west Walians with Ryan Davies crashing over for a try with Jones again spot on with the extra two points. But the hosts – who topped Tier 2 after a sublime run of five straight wins – soon mounted their comeback. Dan Partridge crossed with 16 minutes left, but the conversion went wide.
It left the home side five points adrift, but O’Driscoll’s penalty on 76 minutes put them within two. And Prosser had the last laugh with his try, converted by O’Driscoll, to get Newport over the line.
