It all started so well for the All Whites, but ended in a first defeat of the new season.
It was a game the hosts will look back on with frustration, and definitely one that they should have had won by half-time.
The All Whites enjoyed 80 per cent territory and possession in the first half, but still only managed to go in to the break with a three-point lead.
A penalty after a minute put them on their way, Mike Saxton striking the ball sweetly from 40 yards after an infringement by Paignton.
Fifteen minutes later the hosts were 10-0 ahead courtesy of a try by hooker for the day Robbie Roberts; Saxton slotting over a difficult conversion.
The home faithful waiting expectantly for the flood gates to open, but it never came.
The All Whites hampered by a lack of a scrum half, with both Nigel Cane and Joe Burford out injured, had to press flanker Jason Keenan into service. He gallantly carried out this thankless task, but with him missing from his normal role of openside flanker seldom did he pop up to gather up any offloads in midfield – a strong point of his game.
The Cherries were nuggety with a well organised defence and contributed to the first half with a splendidly worked try on 40 minutes. A quick counter saw the ball go neatly through the hands for a touchdown by Sandercock, who then converted his own try for a half-time score of 10-7 to the All Whites, but it was the Cherries who went in at the break with their tails up.
The second half was very much a stop-start affair, Paignton clinically grabbing a try after Dan Swar picked up a loose ball inside the Newton half and bludgeoned his way through a host of would be tacklers to score a try and sending the Paignton travelling supporters into raptures. Sandercock missed the conversion but Paignton were now on their game.
The All Whites looked to work their way up field but too often turned the ball over.
The visitors gave away a penalty midway through the second half which Saxton stuck over to give the All Whites a slender 13-12 lead.
Paignton tackled their hearts out and eventually won a scrum on the All Whites' 10-metre line. Mortimore drove for the line but the ball went loose and was kicked away. The referee gave a try which, on the balance of play, Paignton deserved.
New recruit Matt Jackson converted the tries to ensure that the All Whites would need a converted try just to draw with time running out.
The hosts hammered away, but the visitors' defence stood strong to secure the win.
Coach Phil Burford this week signed scrum half Mark Dibble from Launceston in time for tomorrow's visit to Sidmouth. The game kicks off at 2.30pm.