MATT O’Brien's last-gasp penalty secured a thrilling victory for Newport over Principality Premiership East high-flyers Bedwas under the floodlights at Rodney Parade, writes Jay Bayford.

Steffan Jones’ penalty looked set to earn Bedwas a draw but O’Brien struck at the death to hand the Black and Ambers victory.

Newport had the lead inside the opening two minutes as a dummy from Owen Davies created a pocket of space and he darted into it to crash over. O’Brien added the conversion.

But Bedwas responded positively and after going through the phases, Mike Callow repeated Davies’ dummy to get Bedwas on the scoresheet. Jones added the extras, thanks to the inside of the post.

The hosts didn’t let that affect them though and they went straight on the attack.

After a good spell of pressure, O’Brien picked out Haydn Palmer with a superb cross-field ball leaving the winger with the simple task of catching the ball and touching down. O’Brien then missed the resulting conversion.

The Wass showed great character to come back again and they used a lineout to their advantage with Geraint Edmunds eventually going over the whitewash. Jones then stepped up to edge the visitors ahead with the conversion.

Bedwas seemed to take control of the game and managed to increase their lead through a Jones penalty before a mini brawl erupted on the pitch with both teams fortunate to remain with 15 men.

At the end of it all, Newport were awarded a penalty and O’Brien smashed it over to reduce the deficit to just two points on the stroke of half time.

The fly half almost edged the hosts in front with another penalty by the halfway line but it fell just short.

All of Newport’s hard work seemed to be undone minutes after the restart as George Lee finished off a fine team move to crash over for Bedwas.

But the Black and Ambers refused to give in and pulled themselves back into the game thanks to Chay Smith’s fourth try of the season with O’Brien’s conversion bringing the score level.

O’Brien and Jones then traded late penalties but Newport’s number 10 snatched victory with the last kick of the game.

Newport – Tries: O Davies, H Palmer, C Smith; Cons: M O’Brien (2); Pens: M O’Brien (3).

Bedwas – Tries: M Callow, G Edmunds, G Lee; Cons: S Jones (2); Pens: S Jones (2).