NEWPORT beat fierce rivals Cardiff 23-20 in a tense clash at Rodney Parade thanks to Will Reed's late penalty.
Black and Ambers boss Ty Morris had demanded a response from his side after their poor performance when losing to Pontypridd on opening weekend of the Premiership Cup.
He got it despite a lengthy list of absentees after Newport stunned a formidable Cardiff side who were on the brink of the title before the pandemic and who hammered RGC 60-5 six days earlier.
The Blue and Blacks struck first through centre Harri Millard with Jack Maynard adding the extras.
The hosts quickly responded through back rower Ben Roach, a sevens international, after 15 minutes, fly-half Reed levelling things up.
Tries were traded approaching half-time with 18-year-old wing Oli Andrew crossing out wide after Jake Thomas had regained Cardiff's lead, Reed and Dan Fish kicking the respective conversions.
The second half was a more cagey affair and Reed kicked penalties either side of efforts by Maynard and Ioan Evans.
The 19-year-old Dragons academy playmaker held his nerve from the tee with five minutes to go to get Newport up and running in the eastern conference.
What a match to kick off the weekend. @Cardiff_RFC made it difficult right until the very end, but it's the B&As who take the derby spoils this time around. Noson gofiadwy arall ar Rodney Parade 🖤💛#COTP #YmlaenCasnewydd pic.twitter.com/lSxMm7yBjv
— Newport RFC (@NewportRFC) September 24, 2021
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