NEWPORT winger Jon Morris broke Neath hearts as his late try handed the Black and Ambers a dramatic Principality Premiership victory at the Gnoll, writes Jay Bayford.

The hosts looked set to end their winless run until Morris forced his way over the whitewash in injury time.

Both teams matched each other in a competitive opening quarter but Neath handed Newport the opportunity to take the lead from the tee and fly-half Matt O’Brien took it with both hands with a well-taken penalty.

The hosts’ response was emphatic as they piled on the pressure and eventually got their reward when number eight Ieuan Jones touched down under a pile of Neath bodies.

Full-back Ed Howley supplied the conversion while referee Wayne Davies showed a yellow card to visiting lock Andrew Mann.

Howley led a counter attack with a kick forward that saw a number of Neath players chase down but Elliot Frewen was first to the ball to clear the danger.

But the numerical superiority didn’t make too much difference as Newport retook the lead.

Centre Chay Smith burst down the left flank before feeding the ball inwards, the ball found its way to full-back David Richards and he dashed to the try line with O’Brien adding the conversion.

Once again the Welsh All Blacks hit back immediately, this time through winger Mike Evans, which looked set to hand the hosts the lead at half time, but an even later O’Brien penalty denied them that honour.

The competitive nature of the game continued after the break. The first points of the half came 11 minutes from time when Howley moved into space on the left wing unnoticed and was picked out for a simple try.

But Newport produced a late onslaught, after Luke Garrett was yellow-carded, which saw Morris force his way over in the final minutes to snatch victory for the visitors.

 
Neath: E Howley; I Ellis, R King, G Evans, M Evans; C Thomas, R Morgan-Williams; B Uphill (L Garrett 57), S Crocker (G Lloyd 62), L Tobias, R Jones (R Bean 57), S Andrews, J Collier (capt), L Evans (E Hopkins 42), I Jones.
Scorers: Tries: I Jones, M Evans, E Howley; Con: E Howley.
 
Newport: D Richards (G O’Driscoll 73); J Morris, C Smith, T Pascoe (M McGovern 67), E Frewen; M O’Brien, R James; L Smout (D Preece 50), W Evans (H Palmer 62), G Harris (T Piper 50), A Mann, D Partridge, R Jenkins (capt), K Tayler, M Reed.
Scorers: Try: D Richards, J Morris; Cons: M O’Brien (2); Pens: M O’Brien (2).