NEWPORT bounced back from their narrow to defeat at Cardiff last week while Ebbw Vale were unable to build on their wonderful away win at champions Pontypridd as the hosts recorded a bonus point victory in the weekend's Gwent derby.

The Black and Ambers also avenged their early season 30-6 drubbing at the hands of Vale at Eugene Cross Park to continue their impressive start to their league campaign.

The home side were by far the better side against a surprisingly jaded-looking Steelmen.

It took the hosts just three minutes to score, scrum half Ryan James crashing over for a try after the Black and Ambers had battered the Steelmen's try-line, full back Elliot Frewen going close just before.

Outside half Arwel Robson's conversion gave Newport an 8-0 lead.

The home side again went on the offensive and were awarded a penalty in front of the posts which was slotted over by their No 10.

Newport continued to dominate possession and territory against a shell-shocked Vale, but a powerful shove by the visitors in the scrum in their own 22 helped clear the very clear danger they were in again.

The Steelmen were down to 14 men in the 20th minute after loosehead prop Ross Jones was yellow carded for infringing at the breakdown.

But despite being down to the tune of one player, it was the Blaenau Gwent side who pressed and looked more threatening for the next few passages of play, surviving Jones' sin binning with Newport unable to take advantage.

Although there was plenty of endeavour being shown by both side, the wet conditions weren't helping either side who made several handling errors in the first half that prevented promising attacking position being converted into points.

It was the Steelmen who struck next when their scrum half Tom Edwards was able to dart away from a rolling maul, outside half Dai Langdon adding the extras just before half-time.

But there was still time for Newport to strike a hammer blow before the interval when wing Jon Morris finished superbly in the corner after some slick handling paved the way for a gem of a try.

Robson's magnificent touchline conversion was the final act of an entertaining first 40 minutes which saw the hosts lead 18-8.

Newport put themselves under needless pressure early in the second half when they tried to break from deep after Frewen had called a mark in his own 22.

Vale turned the screw from their imposing scrum and lock Ashley Sweet crossed from a driving lineout for an unconverted score after the visitors were awarded a penalty.

The Rodney Parade side looked to reassert their authority but turned the ball over near the Vale tryline.

But a moment of magic by Frewen saw the hosts score when the No 15 crossed for a sublime individual try after he counter attacked from a clearance kick, beating several would-be defenders.

Again Robson nailed a trick conversion to give his side a 26-14 lead.

Vale stuttering lineout hampered their attempts to claw their way back into the game.

In the 65th minute, Newport tighthead Alex Jeffries and replacement back row forward Cameron Regan were yellow carded after tempers boiled over.

With their lineout killing them, the visitors never looked like seriously overturning the 12-point deficit.

Vale's afternoon got worse when prop Jones was sent off in the dying minutes for picking up his second yellow card.

The excellent Robson nearly put Morris away as Newport finished the game well in command before Frewen got his second and the home side's bonus point try which was converted.

Newport: E Frewen, W Cunliffe, B Nightingale, A James, J Morris, A Robson, R James (O Davies 72), J Lavender (J Greenfield 72), H Palmer (E Whitson 72), A Jeffries, A Brown (captain), D Partridge, R Jones, R J Cullimore, B Lampitt (J Goodey 66-68, T Piper 68). Replacements: B Morgan, J Mogg, P King.

Scorers: Tries: Ryan James, Jon Morris, Elliot Frewen (2), Conversions: Arwel Robson (4), Penalty: Robson.

Ebbw Vale: C Levesley (D Haymond 68), D Williams, N Preece, A Jones, T Watkins (I Smerdon 56), D Langdon, T Edwards (C Thomas 55), R Jones, M Williams (captain) (J Franchi 62), G Robinson (L Bridges 78), R Clarke, A Sweet, L Crocker (E Doyle 55), R Kynes (I George 21-30, C Regan 55), H Keddie.

Scorers: Tries: Tom Edwards, Ashley Sweet, Conversion: Dai Langdon.

Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU).

Argus star man: Elliot Frewen