Sat 2 Apr 2011
National League 3 South West
Weston-super-Mare 22 Newton Abbot 37
Despite an early 10-0 lead, an error-strewn performance by Weston saw them lose 37-22 to a more committed and composed Newton Abbot.
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 George Sparks' touchdowned for 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 (capt).
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 (Devon Society)
