After victories over Swansea and Bridgend at the Talbot Athletic Ground had seen the Wizards reach the British & Irish Cup pool stages, the Black and Ambers failed to live with the home side in their 21-7 defeat.
The Wizards gave debuts to three young backs — Aaron Jones, Mike Powell and Andrew Collins all starting with Jones particularly impressing at fly half.
With a howling wind blowing across the ground, goal kicking was always going to be a struggle. Jones did miss from the tee at times, unsurprisingly so, but after coming in as a late replacement for Jamie Davies, he would have been pleased with his day’s work.
Indeed, it had been a dream start for the Wizards as they moved into an early lead. Interplay between Chris Morgans and Steffan Andrews put Jones in to score before a Jones penalty was cancelled out by a try from Newport’s Sam Waldron.
Geraint O’Driscoll converted but Jones soon kicked another penalty as a see-saw first period continued.
Aberavon then took control up front and when Newport hooker Andrew Brown was yellow carded, the Wizards took advantage.
Prop Rowan Jenkins and flanker Nathan Brown both scored either side of half-time and with that, the win was secured.
Indeed, there was to be no further scoring in the final half hour, the Aberavon defence holding out well to secure their first league victory at the first time of asking.
