Mahon delighted to see youngsters progress
PAIGNTON go into the summer break happy with their season's efforts and a mid-table finish in South West One.
Coach Charlie Mahon set his stall out on arrival at Queens Park at the start of the season that he placed survival in South West One at the top of his priorities.
Mahon's constant refrain was 'every bonus point is vital' and is hectoring got through to the players.
There weren't too many afternoons when the Cherries came away empty handed and with a month of the season to go the knew they were safe.
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For Mahon ninth out for 14 was a respectable way to end a season of development.
"We can safely say we have consolidated in South West One and, unlike previous seasons, we have not been taken to the wire," said Mahon.
"By maximising every opportunity to earn a point, we took the pressure of ourselves.
"In almost every game we played we were competitive and there were only one or two occasions were we were badly second best.
"Perhaps the best thing to come out of the season was the development of our younger players.
"Sam Hedges, a young fly-half, has played virtually every game.
"Joel Taylor has made the step up in the back row and we have seen others such as Scott Vyle, Alex Pozniak and Josh Opikura cone into the side.
"All of them have made an impact and not just been in the team to make up the numbers."
Mahon said the club's decision to appoint hooker Chris Hallett as captain had proved a wise one as the season unfolded.
"He led the side in a mature and intelligent way which won him many admirers inside and outside the club," said Mahon.
Paignton were unable to hold on to a 16-12 lead against visiting Cleve and ended up losing 23-16 in their final game of the season.
The Cherries led 6-5 at the break courtesy of two John Clare penalties and went further ahead when the scrum-half popped over a third.
Cleve scored a converted try to go 12-9 up, but when Clare converted is own try the Cherries were four points clear going into the final quarter.
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