Abbots closing in after shock for Dings

South West Premier

NEWTON Abbot closed the gap on leaders Dings

Crusaders to just one point after an actionpacked day.

The leaders succumbed to a shock 22-20 home defeat to ninth-placed

Camborne, thanks to clinical kicking from Jake Champion, who notched 17 points, plus a try from Harvey Bell.

The Abbots secured an impressive away victory, beating Hornets 54-32. In a topsy-turvy game, the sides entered the break level at 25-25 and, shortly after, Hornets went 32-25 ahead.

But that was as good as it got, with Newton Abbot scoring five converted tries from Dean Avery, Kyle Browne, Kevin Dennis’ second of the match, plus a double from Matt Jess, to ride out winners. Third-placed Bournemouth beat struggling

Ivybridge 51-39, while fourth-placed Cleve ran out 26-22 winners against Newbury Blues. Down in Devon, Westonsuper-Mare managed to seal victory with almost the last kick of the game as they beat Exmouth 34-33.

It was a closely-fought contest, with the lead changing hands throughout. As the game petered out, Exmouth looked to have won it, leading 33-31 after five tries, three converted, from Jack Downie, two for Henry Goldson, Charlie Biddings and Dave Bargent.

However, Weston, who themselves notched four tries from Robbie Mackay, Glenn Dixon and a double from Matt Watkin, with Dixon converting them all plus a drop goal, managed to sneak ahead thanks to a calm Dixon penalty on 77 minutes to seal the win.

Maidenhead also came from behind to beat Brixham.

Brixham led at half-time but, thanks to tries from Mark Childerhouse, Dave Cole, Kerry Jansen, Alex French, and doubles for

both Jaryd Robinson and Ed Keohane, who also converted all but three tries, Maidenhead comfortably won 50-30.

Bracknell won away from home, beating Lydney 31-18. The Berkshire side received two yellow cards in the first half but tries from Gabe Hills, Ben Sanderson, Ross Macdougall and Simon Haddard, plus conversions and one penalty from Vic Hardwicke, secured them the points.