Newton Abbot 27-39 Weston

The Weston side were led out by scrum half Ross Bennett, known by his team mates as"Bongo" who was celebrating his 200th first team appearance.
Just three minutes into the game Newton scored a try as their influential winger Matt Jess created a space for centre Dennis to cross the white wash. Fly half Putt got the extras and for a few minutes it looked as though Bennett’s celebrations would be short lived.
However the whole team put in a series of strong plays which resulted in a scrum to Weston deep in Newton’s 22. The ball was whipped down the line and Robbie MacKay came in from full back and sliced through. He rounded towards the posts as he touched down and brother James got the conversion and it was all square after 10 minutes of play.
Weston continued to pressure Newton and following good work in the forwards the ball was moved to the left wing and a neat pass from full back Mackay put Alex Howman in at the corner for Weston to take the lead.
Weston continued to dominate as the home side relied heavily on Matt Jess to seek to regain momentum but Weston maintained pressure and a good backs move put MacKay in for his second try of the afternoon. James MacKay converted and Weston were on the front foot by 7 to 19.
It was Robbie MacKay who was involved shortly after this when he was yellow carded for a tip tackle on Jess and Putt made no mistake with the penalty. Newton seized the initiative and with Weston temporarily down to 14 men Jess again created a space and Milton crossed for Newton’s second try, converted by Putt.
Critically Weston upped their game and forced a penalty which Mackay slotted and the teams turned round with Weston holding a five point lead.
The second half began with Weston regaining possession at the kick off. The ball was quickly recycled through two phases and Talbot burst out and into space and he raced away to the line to score Weston’s bonus point try. Mackay added the conversion and restored a 12 point lead. Now back to full strength Weston pressed hard and won a kickable penalty, which if taken might have opened up a three score lead but the kick to the corner was opted for. Weston lost control at the ensuing line out and Newton broke clear. Desperate defence saw Weston give away a penalty and the very accurate and reliable Putt made no mistake.
Newton were now revved right up and Weston’s Mark Turton, who had been playing very well with both carrying and tackling was yellow carded for a high tackle. Newton kicked for the corner, won a scrum at the lineout and with the Weston pack a man down and in a wet and slippery corner of the field found themselves in the rare position this season, of being pushed back over their own line and conceding a pushover try. Putt again made no mistake with the conversion and Newton were right back in it having closed the gap to 2 points.
But it was to be their last score. The pack was rearranged and Brabham came on to play in the back row instead of his preferred position of prop. He carried very well and put in some punishing tackles which helped Weston put Newton back into their own half of the field. They won a penalty kicked by Mackay.
Howman fielded a wayward kick by the Newton backs and carried superbly with three defenders hanging on to him. The ball was recycled and Talbot burst through again to score near the posts. MacKay’s conversion restored Weston’s 12 point lead. Back to full strength again it was only through tenacious defence and a dropped pass that Weston’s final effort was denied but they ran out bonus point winners after a full blooded and exciting game. Given the strength of the Newton Abbot pack and their exciting backs it is hard to see why they are languishing at the bottom of the table. Weston on the other hand are now mid table and have opened up a 10 point gap between themselves and the bottom three sides.