Abbots take honours in gripping victory

NEWTON Abbot tightened their grip at the top after claiming a 48-42 victory against promotion rivals Exmouth.

Exmouth started with a bang, scoring two tries and a penalty to go 17-0 ahea,d before tries by Matt Jess, JJ Taulagi, Kyle Browne made it 27-27 at half-time.

They matched each other with a try each at the

start of the second half, before Tom White and Jess helped Newton Abbot to victory.

Dings remain the only side to have won every gam,e but dropped the bonus point after scoring only two tries during a 1514 victory at Bournemouth.

Debutant Jiute Pupua scored a second-half double to help Bracknell to a 29-15 victory over Cleve. Chris Halaufia scored in the first half for the hosts,

before Pupua helped himself to a double in the second half.

Brixham had a 29-15 victory over Lydney, thanks to scores from Conor Bedwell, Martin Worthington and Sam Thomas, while Tom Putt was on form kicking the extras.

Maidenhead eased to a 26-20 victory over Ivybridge, thanks to a double from Dave Cole, before Alex French and Mike Parrot added further tries for the hosts. Weston-super-Mare claimedd a second win of the campaign with a 32-19 victory over Camborne.

Haydn Tuttiett scored in the first half for Weston, before captain Sam Cole scored a push-over try and then wingers Matt Watkins and Chris Young added further scores.

James McKay was also on form with the boot for Weston, kicking the extras.

Newbury Blues also recorded a bonus point victory with a 31-5 win over Hornets. Josh Winfield recorded the only first half try for the Blues, with Richy West converting as they went in 7-0 ahead at the break.

In the second half, West added further points to his kicking tally before Josh Love added a second try in the corner.

Hornets responded with a try of their own, before Winfield took his second try and Robert Drysdale sealed the bonus point from the restart.