Warning for Newton in ‘win’ column

SOUTH WEST PREMIER

NEWTON Abbot are in must-win territory on Saturday when they pay a visit to Old Patesians.

The All Whites have lost nine on the bounce now after going down 39-27 to Weston last time out. Old Patesians, a Cheltenham-based old-boys’ side, are the only team below Newton in the current table.

Three teams go down from the South West Premier Division – and if Newton Abbot stay where they are they will be one of them.

Newton Abbot’s team management will have noted by now that Newbury were relegated from the division last season with 13 wins.

The All Whites have 16 games left to do something about their win deficiency before they get too far behind.

Losing bonus points and the point for scoring four tries come in handy when things are not going well. Newton have not taken either from their last two outings.

Newtwon made the perfect start against Weston to lead 7-nil and twice only trailed by two points, 19-17 and 27-29.

By the end the visitors were far enough ahead to deny their hosts anything from the match.

A well-worked three-quarter move saw centres Filip Perica and Kevin Dennis combine to put the latter in for a try at the posts that was converted by fly-half Tom Putt.

Weston hit Newton with three tries in quick succession to lead 19-7.

When the Seasiders have a player sin-binned Newton took advantage of the extra man to get back into the game.

Putt put over a penalty and then added the extras to a try for lock Ian Milton. After trailing by 12 points, Newton would have been more than happy to be only 19-17 adrift at the turn, but Weston pulled 29-17 ahead again either side of half time.

Putt kicked a penalty then converted a pus-hover try credited to Newton No 8 Martin Harrison-Browne that left two points in it. Weston trod on the gas again in the final 10 minutes and this time there was no catching them.

New signing Harry Ottaway, who joined Newton in midweek from Exmouth, made his debut at full-back.

Cheque presentation to the Headway charity from Newton Abbot Rugby Club. In the picture are chairman Peter Webb, Sam Harrison, Teignbridge Chairman Avril Kerswell, MP Anne-Marie Morris, Brian Pilkington and Headway fundraising manager Victoria Johnson.