Newton Abbot All Whites picked up a more than welcome bonus point win on their travels, but were made to work hard throughout by relegation-bound Oxford Harlequins, writes Gordon Hooper.

The home side – who looked at this match as a last chance to pull out of trouble – scored the opening and closing tries, but in between Newton won the match with four of their own.

Harlequins' optimism was well founded – Newton have shown inconsistent form since Christmas and found their playing resources stretched so much that former fly half Andy Birkett was coaxed out of retirement to fill the vacancy at scrum half.

Newton opened strongly but couldn't score; they then had to defend well to keep their hosts out. However, a failed touch find from a penalty was run back from halfway by Oxford for centre Toupou to score a try that full back William Hilton converted.

The Devon side went on to control the rest of the half, establishing a 17-7 turnaround lead.

A catch-and-drive lineout yielded a first 1st XV try for lock Lee Williams, who has shown his value since recently breaking into the team. Rob Avery-Wright's conversion saw the sides level after 20 minutes.

Newton then inexplicably failed to touch down another lineout ploy with the try line at their mercy. Instead they had to wait until five minutes before the break to achieve due reward for their sustained efforts.

Home scrum half Jack Cossins was yellowed for a try-line infringement. The easy penalty on offer was declined by fly half Avery-Wright who opted instead for a superbly judged cross-kick to full back Sam Jones, who caught the ball in the in-goal area to touch down.

There was still time before the turn for Newton to press home their numerical advantage – centre James Hannaford starting and finishing a move to score his first try at this level; Avery-Wright added the extras.

The bonus point try came seven minutes into the second half.

The forwards went desperately close to scoring from a lengthy spell of pressure, but it was Jones who eventually benefited from an overlap when the ball was spun wide.

Newton continued to press, but conceded a try when the adventurous home side ran the ball from their own line to put winger Harry Wittington away.

Oxford Harlequins looked both ambitious and dangerous when they moved the ball from deep, but while Newton's first-up tackling might have been exposed, their scrambled defence was effective.

Both sides created opportunities but also defended well during the last quarter, to leave Oxford Harlequins virtually doomed by this defeat.

As for Newton, they will be more than relieved to have picked up five points to maintain fifth place above Brixham and below Readingensians, who are at Rackerhayes on March 2.

Meanwhile, the 1st XV have a welcome break with the 2nd XV providing the action at Rackerhayes tomorrow when they take on Paignton's second string in a Devon Merit Table match, kick-off 2.45.

A Club XV will entertain Irish side Clontarf, with which 1st XV captain Ben Cole has connections.

Newton Colts, meanwhile, will be looking to make it three wins in a row when they play Exeter Saracens at Homers Lane.