■ By STEFFAN THOMAS
Ebbw Vale ……23 Newport……….29
NEWPORT survived a late scare to get their season off to a flyer with a 29-23 win over Gwent rivals Ebbw Vale.
The visitors took a commanding 22-6 lead into the interval with scores from David Richards, Ryan Gardner and a penalty try. But Ebbw Vale refused to throw in the towel with tries from Ashley Sweet and Stephen Ireland resulting in a grandstand finish. Haymond gave the Steelmen an early lead with two penalties but Newport hit back with a cracking try from Richards in the corner.
Ebbw imploded be...