All Whites fight back but lose out

SOUTH WEST PREMIER

Player-coach Matt Jess scored a try hat-trick and was still on the losing side in Newton Abbot’s 38-37 home defeat by Camborne.

The All Whites were appeared to be up against it after going 19-0 down inside 13 minutes – wing Alex Ducker scoring three tries in the process. Newton fought back to lead 22-19 at half time and set the stage for a real ding-dong battle.

The All Whites got as far ahead as 29-19 before Camborne came from behind to go 31-29 and then 38-29 up.

In a frantic last 10 minutes Newton clawed back to 32-38 then 37-38 after Jess ran in from 60 metres with the last carry of the game.

Rob Avery-Wright had a conversion attempt with the final kick of the game to win it for Newton, but it went astray.

Newton came away with a couple of bonus points, which was some consolation.

Jess said it was a better performance than the 44-13 loss to Brixham with positives to take away despite the result.

“It was a much-improved performance and, after a slow start, to hit back with 21 points after 19-0 down was a massive positive,” said Jess.

“Positives were we played a large majority of the game in the right areas. “We could have controlled the game better when 29-19 up in the second half and two Camborne interceptions tries in the last 150 minutes hurt us.

“Our game management taking a drop-goal to grab the second bonus point and then to nearly pinch the game from the restart was a sign of a side never giving up. Injuries have hurt us over the last couple of weeks but our squad is proving strong in its depth, which is testament to our second 11.”

Jess (two) and Luke Mingo scored the tries that helped Newton into a 22-19 lead at the turn, Avery-Wright converted two and a penalty goal.

A Lloyd Radford try, converted by Avery-Wright, put Newton 29-19 up before Camborne found their second wind.

Ducker scored two more and Lewis Thomas had a try too as Camborne went 38-29 up with 10 minutes to go.

Jess dropped the goal that earned the second bonus point then pelted in for the try that left a point in it.