NEWTON Abbot RFC were beaten 52-17 by Winscombe on Saturday, February 15 as their opportunities to avoid relegation become fewer and fewer.
There were squad worries for the All Whites to deal with, player-coach Lloyd Radford highlighting that they “We had no Steery [Tom Steer] available due to work commitments and a couple of colts stepped up. Even last night [the night before the game] there were a couple of worries about registration”, heaping “huge respect” on the youngsters that did fill the void.
These issues were compounded as a trio of players had to leave the Rackerhayes field early against Winscombe on the weekend.
Jake Monnington, who “Made himself available even though he wasn’t meant to be”, was the first to succumb to a knock and he was “carrying an injury already.”
The day after the game, the club announced on Facebook that Jake “Had suffered a heart attack. He has since undergone a procedure and had a stent fitted.” Adding, “The good news is that Jake is recovering well” so everyone at the Mid-Devon Advertiser sends their love.
Fellow back Jay Barnes hobbled off and then scrum-half Ollie Pead joined them on the metaphorical treatment table- prop Radford having to re-enter the fray with numbers really low.
The hosts had “the perfect start” when young fullback Toby Pascoe made his way over the white line for his first try of the afternoon, Barnes’ subsequent kick sliding just wide.
Winscombe “came back strong” though and whilst Radford added that Newton “heads didn’t go down at any point”, it swiftly became an uphill battle.
Sam Dearsley picked his hole and went flying through it to kickstart the Winscombe response and the centre himself stepped up to slot the conversion.
Harry Brean and James Vecchio were next to punish the All Whites and Dearsley converted both of these scores.
Jed Griffin acted quickly from a penalty and then Calum Westaway worked his magic with a kick through to get Pascoe in behind for his second try of the game, closing the deficit. A brilliant conversion out wide from Barnes took the score to 12-21.
Winscombe’s two-try cushion was quickly regained though, confirming a bonus point and a fifth score was next before the break. All five were converted for 12-35 at the half.
Whatever was said at half-time must have rung true with the Newton players as they showed a new lease of life from the off. Their consistent pressure paid off with number five Alex Parrot the man to dot down a third try of the day. In the absence of Steer, Monnington and Barnes by this point, Jacob Forey took on the kicking duties and only the woodwork could deny his conversion attempt.
Winscombe added tries six, seven and eight with Dearsley missing his first and second kicks of the day. The eighth came in the final play of the game and moved the score on to an emphatic 17-52.
Every little helps at the foot of the table and Radford noted that it was “Such a shame that we didn’t get that fourth try which is what we really set out for from the off.”
That bonus point that alluded them would have kept them above Truro but for now, they will bring up the rear. With the pair on 23 points apiece and Teignmouth on 26, the upcoming clash between Newton and Teignmouth on Saturday, March 1 is likely to be season-defining.