Newport hailed a “miracle” victory as they boosted their National League 3 Midlands survival prospects with an emphatic 23-3 win at Peterborough.

The men from Forton Road had never won at the Cambridgeshire club before, but they changed all that with a terrific display.

And it was all the more important following a disappointing defeat at home to South Leicester just a week earlier.

“We haven’t got a good record at Peterborough and they’re a difficult side to beat at their own place,” said Newport’s director of rugby Ray Price.

“We’d never won there before and, if we’re honest, we’d probably expected to lose this time even though we had a good side out.

“But miracles do happen sometimes, and we dominated the game – they didn’t get to play at all. Everything they threw at us, we absorbed.”

The hosts actually took the lead with an early penalty, but it was Newport who then took charge.

Winger Duncan Chance went over for their first try which was converted by James Curgenven – who also kicked two penalties as the visitors led 13-3 at the break.

Curgenven then kicked another penalty in the second half before winger Oliver Burke added a late try – also converted – to seal the win.

The Shropshire side also gave a debut to lock Wayne Cooper, on loan from Stourbridge, and the youngster impressed.

“He’s only 20 but he plays like someone much older,” added Price.

“We thoroughly deserved to win and I don’t think their crowd could believe what they saw.”

Hereford bounced back from two consecutive defeats to beat Kenilworth 24-7.

It was the Wyesiders’ second win over Kenilworth this season, and keeps them well clear of the relegation places.

Flanker Guy Thompson scored two of their four tries, with skipper Matt Pritchard and centre Richard Rees snapping up the other two. Dean Powell converted two of the four tries.

Luctonians’ match against top of the table Ampthill was postponed due to the weather conditions at the Bedfordshire club’s headquarters.

By CHRIS HUDSON