Reece Beddows is the five-try hero for Newport

The 18-year-old winger's emphatic display in a 43-21 victory helped keep the Forton Road side's National League Three Midlands survival hopes alive entering the final weekend of the season.

Newport had gone into the match knowing defeat could have left them all-but relegated with a week to spare if rivals Sandbach won at Hinckley the same day.

But Beddows, who came in for the unavailable Toby Mann, led the scoring as Newport claimed a vital five-point victory to keep them above the drop zone, albeit by a point.

Stalker said: "Reece is an exceptional talent, we have known that all season.

He made his debut around Christmas and we have tried to protect him, playing him from time to time.

"But we had to throw him into a relegation battle on Saturday and he has shown that he is ready. He scored five tries but he also tackled well and his understanding of the game has come on leaps and bounds. He was very impressive."

Newport raced out of the traps quickly against Sandbach, putting four tries on the board in the opening 20 minutes on their way to a 36-7 half-time lead.

Jacob Bates and Samson Masiyarira also crossed over once each while Liam Holder added four conversions.

The win leaves Newport's fate in their own hands but they must still beat Nuneaton away on Saturday, ideally claiming a bonus point, to confirm their survival because of Sandbach's 28-27 win at Hinckley.

They will also be sweating on the fitness of Chris Perry who suffered a shoulder injury at the weekend, while Masiyarira is a severe doubt because of a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile in Midlands One West Whitchurch suffered a rare home defeat against relegation-threatened Malvern.

Whitchurch had won nine of 11 league games at Edgeley Park this season going into the weekend and they looked on course to extend that figure in the first half.

A penalty try, converted by Danny Nicholas, a Nicholas penalty and a Jed Towers try gave the hosts a 15-5 advantage at the break.

But Malvern found two second-half tries as part of a fightback which saw them claim the victory despite a late unconverted touchdown by Tom Skone.

Whitchurch remain sixth after that defeat but they could still finish as high as fifth if they get a bonus point win over Barkers Butts at home on Saturday and Walsall lose against Berkswell & Balsall.