NEWPORT 24 SCOTTISH BORDERS 9

AT the ninth time of asking Newport finally made it a long-awaited victory.

Too late to alter their finish at the foot of Pool B of the Celtic League, the win at least came at the right time.

It means they go into this weeks Welsh League programme against fellow strugglers Caerphilly and Swansea with some much-needed confidence.

But for all that, it would be folly to pretend that suddenly everything is rosy.

Borders were surprisingly poor considering their recent run of form and Newport could make little or no headway for an hour as the familiar problems of bad handling and turnovers surfaced.

It was so bad that owner Tony Brown, again watching in isolation by the family stand, twice appeared to make an exit, came back and finally disappeared unable to take any more.

He therefore missed seeing Newport finally seize the initiative and the match with it in the closing quarter.

That Newport eventually did so had everything to do with three vital substitutions, which begs the question, why didnt Shane Howarth, Mike Voyle and James Richards start in the first place?

It meant Richards and Voyle had to strike up an immediate understanding at the line-out, which they did.

I had counted at least six occasions when Paul Young failed to find his men because of his inaccurate throwing, gifting Borders possession.

That changed almost immediately, and when it did it meant Howarth had to use the ball properly in the way Jason Strange had failed to do.

Howarth responded by kicking to the corner where centre Hal Luscombe seized possession and crossed for the first try.

That was followed by back row forward Steve Ojomoh, who enjoyed his best game for Newport, as did colleague Gareth Gravell, barging over for the second try.

It was enough to secure that elusive first victory, and over and above that there were also positive signs for the future.

The decision to bring in a few youngsters paid dividends, none more so than 21-year-old back row forward Rhys Jones, who enjoyed a cracking debut and clearly has big potential.

But that future is not likely to be for Newport because there wont be any Newport playing at the highest level from next season if, as seems increasingly likely, regional rugby does come in.

That, however, is another issue. For the moment Newport can at least celebrate a victory which will take the pressure off, at least for the moment.

They must follow up with victory over Caerphilly tomorrow, and it is vital they start better or they could be in for a shock.

For a long time against Borders there was little or no continuity, with the set pieces a problem and no real continuity.

Borders twice snatched the lead via a Kevin Utterson penalty and then again when wing Nikki Walker twice hacked on to win the race for the touchdown.

Three Strange penalties edged Newport 9-8 ahead going into the interval, but he also missed four other shots, three of them sitters.

He persisted, however, and his fourth penalty gave Newport a bit of a cushion from which to go for it in the final quarter.

But it wouldnt have happened without those substitutions, showing that some players really are vital for the rest of the season.

Newport: M Pini, A Cadwallader, H Luscombe, S Williams, A Wagstaff (N Palmer 80), J Strange (S Howarth 62), D Burn (L Lane 67), D Pattison, P Young (J Richards 62), A Garvey (C Anthony 53), M Veater (M Voyle 53), S Raiwalui (captain), S Ojomoh, R Jones (C Hill 78), G Gravell.

Scorers tries: Luscombe, Ojomoh; conversion: Howarth; penalties: Strange (4).

Scottish Borders: T Vili, N Walker, J Stuart, K Utterson (C Cusiter 59), S Paterson, G Townsend (captain), I Fairley, P Thomson, S Scott, B Douglas (G Graham 62), D Weir, R Metcalfe, A Rennick, M Taylor (A Mower 62), S Sititi.

Scorers try: Walker; penalty: Utterson.

* Picture: Newport hooker Paul Young takes on the Scots at Rodney Parade on Saturday