A last-gasp try from replacement Elliot Ferriman grabbed five more points at Eugene Cross Park for the Black and Ambers who, having led 17-13 at the break, looked to be heading towards defeat thanks to Ebbw hooker Joe Franchi’s second half try double off the bench.
Ebbw led 25-24 heading towards the end of what turned out to be a 53-minute second half, but their hopes of a fourth straight win over their neighbours were shattered by lock Ferriman’s late, late try to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat for Newport.
Ebbw are now 19 points behind Newport with only four to play, leaving the latter now needing just two more points to make sure of second spot, which would secure them home advantage in the play-off semis.
“It was just a good hard Gwent derby between two good sides going at it hammer and tongs,” said Newport defence coach Stuart Lawrence.
“The boys have been put through the mill over the past few weeks and obviously we’ve got a quick turnaround for Thursday.
“There are some battered and bruised bodies, but I just think it shows the spirit within the squad. They do get tested – but they keep going and they’ve got confidence in what they’re trying to achieve, which is great.
“They always say momentum is a massive thing in sport and it’s just about keeping that momentum going, but it was nice that we managed to grind out a result and played right to the end having been tested by a really strong Ebbw Vale side.”
Evan Lloyd got the scoreboard ticking with a third minute penalty to put Ebbw ahead. The first try went the way of the visitors on 13 minutes, scored by scrum-half Che Hope and converted by Matt O’Brien.
O’Brien slotted a penalty three minutes later to level matters and the hosts were left to rue some indiscipline with lock Dylan Barlett and skipper Jon Evans sent to the sin bin.
With Ebbw down to 13 men, Newport seized on that advantage with wing Elliot Frewen scoring their second try, again converted by O’Brien. They led 17-13 at the break after Lloyd’s penalty right on half time had pulled three points back for Ebbw.
Bartlett returned but, still with a man advantage, Newport went further ahead with their third try two minutes after the re-start with hooker Henry Palmer going over for a try which O’Brien improved as they led 24-13. Then the game turned.
Back to full strength Franchi, having come off the bench, scored two tries within the space of five minutes just after the hour mark, with Lloyd adding the extras to the second one to nudge the home side 25-24 in front.
