Relegation battle going down to wire

South West Premier

THE FIGHT for survival in the National League 3 South West Premier is going down to the final game with a two-way shoot-out between Exmouth and Newbury Blues.

Blues sit third from bottom one point behind Exmouth following a 20-17 victory over second place Bournemouth. It was Bournemouth who went ahead early on with a Dan Stewart try before Josh Love crossed the whitewash to put Newbury 10-7 ahead.

The Lions scored a second try before the break through Tom Napier to go in 14-10 ahead. However, a secondhalf try and penalty by Alex Millar earned Newbury a crucial victory. The pressure on

Exmouth mounted after they fell to a 34-18 defeat at the hands to basement side Lydney.

A first-half Steve Parry brace set Lydney on their way before Phil Cowburn and Joe Mclean added further scores, with Ollie Locke converting three tries to give them a 26-6 lead at the break.

Tom Brown replied for Exmouth early in the second half and Tom Whelan added a second as they found a route back into the tie.

However, it was to be Lydney’s day and Parry added a fifth try before the final whistle.

On the final day Exmouth travel to Cambourne while Newton Abbot host Newbury Blues. Champions Dings

Crusaders were beaten for the second time in three weeks as Ivybridge ran out 28-24 winners in their final match of the season. A brace of tries by Tom McLean gave

Brixham a 21-17 victory over Weston-superMare with Tom Putt kicking three penalties and one conversion.

Maidenhead were leading the whole game and withstood a Cambourne fightback to take a 37-25 victory. George Blewitt scored two tries with his second sealing the points in the final play while Sam Hallett and Dave Cole also crossed.

Gabe Hills scored a hattrick for Bracknell as they ran out 43-34 winners over Newton Abbot while Hornets ran over eight tries but had to settle for a 52-52 draw against Cleve.