Much too early for promotion talk claims All Whites supremo
NEWTON Abbot supporters shouldn't get too carried away yet even though the All Whites are third in the National Three South West table after a 28-22 win over previously unbeaten Weston.
The former leaders fell behind after five minutes and despite a late fightback never got their noses in front.
Roy Henderson, Newton Abbot's director of rugby, said big wins over Maidenhead and Marlow as well as the one over Weston were getting supporters excited at what might lie ahead.
Said Henderson: "Beating the leaders inevitably means one or two people around the club wondering how far we can go this season?
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"It is a bit early for that sort of talk after six games – I told them to ask me at the end of March if we are still third then.
"At this stage of the season it is all about picking up as many points as you can so you don't lag behind.
"We go to Old Patesians this Saturday and it would be nice to think we can come away with a win there as well.
Weston were never far enough behind for Newton to feel secure, as Henderson was quick to concede.
"We were in control for most of the game and at 15-0 up had Weston on the back foot," said Henderson.
"It as a bit dodgy at 18-15, then Matt Newman and Brett Stroud scored tries three or four minutes apart and it felt a bit more comfortable.
"I was a bit disappointed that we let them in at the end for a bonus point try, which meant they stayed ahead of us in the table. That was a minor thing though as we got a maximum."
The All Whites were always ahead from the fifth minute when Rob Avery-Wright popped over a penalty although Ed McGinley had already gone close to a try.
Josh Smith made it 10-0 with a breakaway try by the posts that Avery-Wright converted.
Smith thought he had scored again with a dive in Clubhouse Corner, but the referee was unsighted and ordered a five-metre scrum. Skipper Ben Cole crossed from the scrum.
Weston cut the leeway before half time with a pick-and-drive try by Phil Hobbs that James McKay converted.
McKay got a penalty back before Avery-Wright landed one of his own with the final kick before the break.
Five minutes into the second half Weston scored an opportunist try on the break when James Arnold hacked on and on to score from 90 metres out.
There was no score for the next 20 minutes until Matt Newman scavenged a try out of a close-range ruck.
Brett Stroud scored in similar circumstances soon after to open up a 28-15 lead.
Weston had the final word with a Sam Smee try from full-back which McKay converted.
NEWTON Abbot U8s got their season under way with two-hard fought games away to Withycombe on Sunday.
Both games finished 11-7 to the home side, but the young All Whites certainly matched their hosts around the field and adapted well to the new rules in force this season.
Captain Ben Butland led from the front, Rory Parkhill put in a solid performance on his debut, while Jack Moulton made a try saving 'tag' on his own line.
There were hat tricks for Pierce Kane and man of the match Sam Shillabeer.
Try scorers in game one for Newton were: Kane (3), Jack Bayles, Joe Cainey, Parkhill and Shillabeer.
Shillabeer (3), Cainey (2), Parkhill and Jack Warren crossed in game two.
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