Weston-Super-Mare let slip a 10-nil lead midway through the first half as an error-strewn performance by the Seasiders, in their final home game of the season, saw them lose 37-22 to a more committed and composed Newton Abbot.

Skipper touchdown Weston's first try after good work by wings Steve Thompson and George Wright with a catch and drive setting-up the second try for lock Stuart Board.

But three tries in the final five minutes of the half from left wing Thor Normann, tighthead prop Ben Rogers and right wing Jake Monnington nudged Newton Abbot in front for the first time.

Full back Dan Force converting the third on the stroke of half time game the visitors a 17-10 lead at the break and then added a penalty ten minutes in to the second half to extend the visitors lead to ten points.

James Mackay, playing at outside centre for Weston, converted his own try five minutes later to keep the home side in touch only for the visitors to score tries either side of the hour mark.

Outside centre Nic Holt crossed for Newton Abbot's bonus point try with No.8 James Head scoring the next which Force converted. Weston lost flanker Kevin Hobbs when he was yellow carded with 15 minutes of the game remaining.

Five minutes later referee Simon Lane sent Newton Abbot's Tom Meek, who had being on the pitch less than five minutes as a replacement for injured fly-half Andy Birkett, to the sin-bin to join Hobbs.

Blindside flanker Jamie Rudkin crossed for Weston's bonus point try but just before the final whistle Normann went over for his second try to seal a comfortable win for Newton Abbot.

Weston-super-Mare: Joe Waterman; Steve Thompson, James Mackay, Jon Gallagher, George Wright; James Reid (Chris Young, 58), Jack Conway; Dave Swann (Mark Matthews, 20), Craig Withers, Simon Williams, Stuart Board (Andrew Glen, 50), Ashley Russell, Jamie Rudkin, Kevin Hobbs George Sparks.
Scorers - tries: James Mackay, Stuart Board, Jamie Rudkin, George Sparks; con: James Mackay
Yellow card: Kevin Hobbs (65 min)

Newton Abbot: Dan Force; Jake Monnington, Nic Holt, Mike Saxton (Ben Rudkin, 54), Thor Normann; Andy Birkett (Tom Meek, 70), Neil Johns; Nick Hammond (Danny Porte, 63), Simon Mabin, Ben Rogers, Paul Warren, Gareth Williams, Alex Moore, George Mills, James Head.
Scorers - tries: Thor Normann 2, Jake Monnington, Nic Holt, Ben Rogers, James Head; cons: Dan Force 2; pen: Dan Force.
Yellow card: Tom Meek (73 min)

Referee: Simon Lane

Weston-Super-Mare will be looking to make it three Somerset County Cup wins in a row on Wednesday evening at Bridgwater's College Way ground when they take on Clevedon in the final (ko: 7.30pm).

Other National 3 South West news

Cleve are set to announce a new director of rugby for next season, and appointed that is anticipated will be made from within the club but head coach Craig Short, the former Bristol flanker, is expected to be involved.

They have already been relegated for next season and are still still looking for their first win of this campaign after losing 29-12 at Barnstaple after tries from Nick Lear and Ollie Coles plus a Gareth Knox conversion.

Hartpury College, who need two points from their final two games to clinch the title, out-scored third placed Old Patesians eight tries to three in their 53-20 win at Dockham Road with full back James Love scoring a try and kicking five conversion and a penalty.

Next Saturday Weston-Super-Mare travel to Metz Way to face Coney Hill who will be relegated at the end of the season (ko: 3pm).

Other league games on Saturday see league leaders Hartpury College at home to Chinnor, second placed Bournemouth are at Oxford Harlequins, Cleve travel to Exmouth, Newton Abbot host Cheltenham, who fighting for league survival, Bridgwater & Albion are at Old Patesians while Redingensians host Barnstaple.