Old Reds up as Bromsgrove battle on

National League 3 South West

OLD Redcliffians clinched the league title and promotion to National 2 South as they edged out

Newton Abbot 41-37 in a thrilling encounter.

Old Reds went into the day needing two points to be confirmed as champions and flew out of the blocks with an early penalty try followed by Dan Fry’s score. Newton Abbot hit back with a try and three penalties, but James Clements’ try gave Old Reds the 24-16 interval advantage.

Henry Bird’s try sealed the bonus point and put one hand on the trophy, only for the hosts to fight back again, two converted tries reducing the lead to a single point.

However Scott Parsons struck the decisive blow, and despite a late Newton Abbot try, Old Reds’ eighth consecutive league victory ensured their place in National 2 next season. Elsewhere Ding Crusaders remain in pole position in the battle for second and a place in the promotion play-off as they were 54-21 winners over struggling Salisbury.

Ding remain two points ahead of Camborne, who edged past Bracknell 22-21 and claimed a bonus point in the process, with Ivybridge a point further back in fourth after their 34-17 win at Lydney. The day’s big winners were Hornets, who racked up an impressive 74-5 win over Cleve. At the bottom of the table Launceston were denied the chance to move to within four points of Lydney and safety as two late penalties saw Brixham snatch an 18-17 win.

Two first-half tries gave Launceston a 12-8 advantage, and although a Brixham penalty pulled them to within one, a further try gave Launceston a late lead, but Brixham kicked two penalties in the last three minutes for victory.

It means Lydney retain a seven-point cushion over Launceston with three to play, despite their defeat, while Salisbury are a point further back.

Bromsgrove’s relegation might already be confirmed but they keep fighting and recovered to claim a 17-17 draw at home to Bournemouth. The visitors led going into the final quarter, but Bromsgrove’s second try ensured parity in the fight for respectability at the foot of the league table.