Sat 13 Oct 2018
Last weekend both of Newton Abbot’s unbeaten senior sides retained their records, but only just.
On the Saturday, the Spartans took their 100% record into a match with Devonport Services Pilgrims who arrived at Rackerhayes having won three out of three in Devon Merit One.
Well into injury time it looked like it would be the naval raiders who would come out on top, but a try from winger Max Snowdon, plus a conversion from Will Throgmorton, turned a 14-10 deficit into a 17-14 win for the Spartans.
Newton had dominated the early proceedings but fell behind to an interception try when 20 metres from the Services line. Full-back Toby Moss grabbed the ball and raced in for a self-converted try.
The Spartans went back on the attack and after forcing a string of penalties and going close to scoring on several occasions, eventually banked a catch and drive try credited to flanker Josh Dore.
Devonport doubled their score with a second seven pointer from Moss, who had a run-in from halfway before adding the extras.
With 10 minutes to go Snowdon narrowed the gap after a strong run from 40 metres. Devonport dug deep and defended well and looked to be heading for their fourth win. However, they lost the ball in midfield, the Newton threes moved the ball quickly to Snowdon who burst through to score his second from half-way.
Throgmorton’s conversion left the visitors needing a try to win, but Newton claimed the restart and booted the ball out of play and heard the final whistle from referee Steve Skeet that marked the end of game that was a credit to the Devon Merit One competition.
Saturday, top of the table Spartans travel to second placed Exmouth who have won four and drawn the other from their five starts.
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