MOST of the talk before kick-off was off the pitch - who was and wasn't in the ground - rather than what was happening on it, but for all the shenanigans, it was Newport who won a brilliant game of rugby.

This was real cut-and-thrust rugby in heavy conditions as Ebbw Vale showed plenty of fighting spirit to take the lead 22-20 in the second half, before Andy Powell stole the show with his second try, Newport's fifth of the night.

Whatever happens in the next days, weeks or months, the Steelmen put in a performance to warrant their place in Welsh rugby's elite.

With all the off-field politics, 'Gang of Six' member versus their not-as-affluent neighbours, there was plenty in this match even before the game kicked off, never mind it being a Gwent derby in heavy conditions at Eugene Cross Park.

Three early penalties from thirty yards out by wing Gareth Cull gave the Steelmen a 9-0 lead in as many minutes.

This was always going to be a tough, physical battle and Vale prop Martin Jones was an early casualty, temporarily going off for treatment as his side got stuck into their rivals. But any nerves from Newport were settled when number eight Andrew Powell crashed over off the base of the scrum inside 20 minutes to make it 9-5 to the home side. The City-slickers, as they can now be known, added another try soon after when Wales centre Andy Marinos made a fine, well-timed midfield break and his pass found Matthew Watkins who put full back Matt Pini over for the try, making it 10-9.

Again Shane Howarth missed the conversion and Newport briefly held the lead before Cull snatched it back with his fourth successful penalty, making it 12-10.

Cull missed with his fifth, but Ebbw were very much in the game as both sides scrapped for every loose ball and no tackle was shirked, as tempers started to get frayed. Newport looked more dangerous whenever they got the ball and flanker Jason Forster was held up as they foraged into Vale territory, before Vale's Paul Matthews fly hacked the ball away from danger.

Newport were heavily peanlised at the breakdown and were penalised on more than one occasion for back chatting referee Richard Elliott to no avail, they were still 12-10 down at half-time.

Newport came out blazing in the second half as Howarth landed a penalty early on, before the visitors stretched the defence to score a good try.

Marinos, Watkins and Powell drove the ball down field and they span it wide from Tonu'u to Watkins, who turned Vale wing Andrew Wagstaff inside to cross for the try. At 20-12 it looked ominous, but talk about a tactical substitution.

Ebbw coach Mike Ruddock brought on lock Chay Billen and Tongan Kati Tuipulotu to bolster the forwards.

First Cull narrowed the gap with a penalty, before the Vale backs stole the show. Determined drives at the Newport defence deserved a try and it came with the hour approaching as Wagstaff slid through a midfield gap to let Matt James pin his ears back and dive over for the try. Cull's conversion and a missed penalty by Howarth were both greeted with delight by the home fans.

For all the heart and passion, Newport always looked capable of cutting loose and Matt Mostyn finished a superb move as Powell was put away and the ball went wide for the Irish international to cross.

Again Howarth missed the conversion and Newport fans must have been wondering whether his misses might prove crucial with the score at 25-22.

Then that man Powell made his mark again.

He showed a clean pair of heels to the Ebbw defence to scamper over deep in injury time, showing impressive pace.

Howarth finally landed the conversion to make it 32-22.

Ebbw Vale: M James, G Cull, R Shorney (rep M Ridley 54 mins), P Matthews, A Wagstaff, S Connor, L Lane, I Thomas, L Phillips, M Jones (rep D Penisini 73 mins ), O Booyse (rep C Billen 48 mins), N Edwards, R Williams (rep K Tuipulotu 48 mins), P Williams, W Thomas.

Scorers: tries: James, conversion: Cull, penalties: Cull (5) Newport: M Pini, M Mostyn, M Watkins, A Marinos, B Breeze, S Howarth (rep J Strange 73 mins), O Tonu'u, R Snow (rep C Jones 73 mins), P Young (rep J Richards 60 mins), C Anthony (rep A Garvey 60 mins), S Raiwalui (capt), I Gough, P Buxton, J Forster, W Thomas. Scorers: tries Powell (2), Pini, Watkins, Mostyn, conversions: Howarth (2), penalty: Howarth.

Referee: Richard Elliott

PICTURE: Newport's Andrew Powell breaks forward watched by his skipper Simon Raiwalui