Jones' superb finish

Jones works for the International Rugby Board (IRB) and his new base will be in Dublin so he will be looking shortly to continue his playing career with an Irish club.

The rampaging forward has been an excellent servant at Newport in recent seasons and will be sorely missed.

It was fitting then that the powerful back row man sealed his team's victory with a 50m burst to the line in the 69th minute.

Shortly after, Jones was replaced and was given a thunderous standing ovation by the appreciative home crowd who did the same for talented skipper Rhys Shorney whose playing career is drawing to a close.

Jones' try could not have been more timely for Newport who "wobbled" to let their energetic opponents back into the game after a dynamic opening 30 minutes when the Black and Ambers scored 21 points without reply.

Flanker Chris Davies opened the scoring with a second minute try after half the Newport pack had driven over the Aberavon line.

A length-of-the-field counter- attack midway through the first half resulted in inside half Alex Walker sprinting over for a touchdown.

Then Cardiff University student Simon Rosser, who gave a highly promising display at centre, was on hand to score after a smart touchline burst by left wing Will Kershaw-Naylor, outside half Daniel Griffiths converting all three.

With lock Matthew Veater again ensuring a regular supply of good lineout possession, Newport looked to be well placed to run up a big total but the Wizards had other ideas.

A driving maul ended with right wing Richard Carter snapping up an unconverted try. This was quickly followed by a try by prop Anthony Edwards that restricted Newport's interval lead to 21-10.

Visitors' outside half Jamie Davies kicked a short-range penalty goal soon after the restart and Newport struggled to find their rhythm and regain the initiative, The Rhys Jones try changed all that and Shorney and his men were well on top in the closing minutes.

Newport coach David Rees, commenting upon his team's last home game of the campaign, said: "We played really well for the first 30 minutes - very similar to the way we played throughout last season, with plenty of continuity and width to our game. We then conceded some points but Rhys Jones put us back on top with his great try.

"It was fitting that he should score because he put in a typical top-notch performance and never stopped running all night. If he ever decides to return to Wales to play rugby, we hope he will come straight back to Newport."

Rees also had warm praise for Shorney and the rest of the players who have "stuck with it" throughout a challenging season when Newport often battled to field a settled side.

"After the disappointment of our cup exit against Maesteg we have bounced back in style and with just one more remaining game at Llanelli we could still clinch fifth place in the league", he said.

Rees himself is stepping down after two seasons as Newport's coach to concentrate on his role as one of the Dragons' assistant coaches. "I want to thank the players in particular and everyone at the club for the support they have given me," he added.

Newport: M. Hopper, R. Shorney (G. Crothers 76), R. Payne, S. Rosser (J. Rowles 63), W. Kershaw-Naylor, D. Griffiths, A. Walker, D. Pattison (I. Evans 67), A. Brown, G. Robinson (C. Anthony 80), M Veater, N Watkins (M Workman 20, C Powell 65), S Waldron, C. Davies, R. Jones (R. Dale 75). Scorers: tries: C. Davies, A. Walker, S. Rosser, R.Jones; cons D. Griffiths (3).

Aberavon: G. Knox, R. Carter, J. Thomas (A. Davies 31), David Hawkins (D. Ryan 70), M. Harvey, J. Davies, A. Williams (Daniel Hawkins 56), M. Harris (C. Jones 56), C. Wells (B. Gant 73), A. Edwards (James Jones 69), P. Morgan, A. Fisher, C. Kinsey (C. Moses 70), S. Phillips, R. Morgan. Scorers: tries: R. Carter, A. Edwards; pen: J. Davies.

- In last night's other game Cardiff defeated Carmarthen Quins 35-12 to leave Carmarthen bottom of the table with just one game, at Maesteg on Saturday, remaining.