Newport hammer Ebbw Vale 48-13 in Premiership semi-final

The Black and Ambers will go for glory against Llandovery at Church Bank next Saturday after the table-toppers fought back to beat Cardiff.

On this evidence, Ty Morris’ men will be hard to stop after showing power, attacking intent and game management to make it a mismatch against an Ebbw side who headed south with confidence thanks to a superb campaign.

The Steelmen had beaten Newport at Spytty in the regular season but a repeat didn’t look likely once the hosts got their noses in front and found their groove.

Newport had a commanding 27-6 lead at the break courtesy of tries by centre Joe Westwood, wing Elliot Frewen and scrum-half Che Hope.

They stretched away after the break thanks to Westwood, who was showed why the Dragons rate him so highly with a display of physicality but also enterprise, completing his hat-trick.

Owen Conquer scored a consolation for Ebbw before speedster Lloyd Lewis had the final say for the Black and Ambers.

LIVELY: Che Hope raced over for Newport in the first half (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

Early penalties were traded by Newport’s Matt O’Brien and Ebbw counterpart Evan Lloyd in a cagey and physical opening.

A second scrum offence allowed Lloyd to put the Steelmen up 6-3 in the 15th minute but then a set-piece decision gave the hosts the chance to get their noses in front.

They won a penalty against the head and opted to go for the corner rather than the posts, a decision that paid off.

Newport hammered away before, with penalty advantage, the ball came loose from a ruck and scrum-half Hope flicked between his legs to allow Westwood to canter over down the left.

O’Brien converted superbly from the touchline and, shortly after Hope had gone very close with a snipe, kicked a penalty to make it 13-6 after 28 minutes.

Ebbw twice opted against calling for the tee with scrum-half Jon Evans going with a quick tap and then Lloyd kicking to the corner.

However, that almost led to Newport stretching their lead with the lineout turned over and kick put in – had it bounced up kindly then Wales sevens speedster Lewis was away.

Ebbw escaped on that occasion but were hit by a double before the break that left them with a mountain to climb.

First Newport worked an overlap for full-back David Richards to put Elliot Frewen in down the left.

That was followed by a try that was all too easy for those of an Ebbw persuasion after Wales Under-20s wing Harry Rees-Weldon had been tempted into running the ball back when isolated.

The hosts kicked to the 22 and Henry Palmer slipped after peeling off but still had time to find Hope, who played a one-two with Frewen.

CHARGE: Action from the first half of Newport's win against Ebbw Vale (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

O’Brien converted both for a 27-6 lead and was involved in a flashpoint from the final play when there was a scuffle, Newport feeling that Ebbw scrum-half Evans had flung the fly-half onto the athletics track.

The Black and Ambers went straight on the attack for a killer blow in the opening exchanges of the second half - they might have a high-tempo approach but also know when to put boot to ball - and it should have come.

First a line break by Hope set flanker Josh Skinner into the 22 but he was dragged down short and then the hosts lost their composure.

They then failed with a lineout drive and blew another chance when Frewen failed to pass to Hope when he had a clear line to the sticks.

Nonetheless, they got the telling blow after 49 minutes when Westwood powered over down the left then piled on the misery when the centre did a Jamie Roberts impression to hit a hard line from a close range lineout.

Ebbw were playing for pride and ensured that they wouldn’t be held tryless when, despite being a man down due to a Lewis Young yellow card, Wales Under-20s back rower Owen Conquer smashed over from a ruck.

Lloyd converted to make it 41-13 but Newport responded with a sixth try as the clock ticked to 80 when O’Brien kicked to Lewis on the right wing and he showed his fast feet to dart past two defenders and race over, before stretching for cramp.

The Black and Ambers will hope that all have plenty left in the tank for one last push in their bid for Premiership glory.

They face a Llandovery side that pipped them to top spot despite Newport finishing the regular season with 14 successive wins.

After hammering Ebbw, the Black and Ambers need to get the victory that matters to lift the Premiership for the first time since 2004.

Newport scorers: tries – Westwood (3), Frewen, Hope, Lewis; conversions – O’Brien (6); penalties – O’Brien (2).

Ebbw Vale scorers: try – Conquer; conversion – Lloyd; penalties – Lloyd (2). 

Ref: Keith David.