NEWTON Abbot RFC are back up to sixth in Western Counties West after beating Penryn 36-33 in an end-to-end, ding-dong affair at Rackerhayes.

The lead changed hands four times in the first half, which ended with Newton Abbot 17-15 up.

The second half was edge-of-the-seat stuff at times as every time Newton scored, Penryn kept coming back for more.

Just when it seemed Newton were home and dry with a 36-26 lead, the Borough hit them with a converted try.

And in a nail-gnawing finish to the game, it seemed Penryn had stolen a win with a try, only for the referee to take play back to the halfway line for a forward pass in the build-up.

Newton Abbot won the resulting scrum and kicked the ball into touch to clinch victory.

After the pasting the All Whites endured at Paignton seven days earlier, this win was a tonic for the troops.

Steve Perry, the Newton Abbot head coach, said on social media: “It was really positive to get five points after a tough away game last week.

“It was pretty ugly at times, but the dog in the fight that we showed when we went through the phases around their 22, and scored some points there, showed a lot of heart.

“I think we need to add a bit more determination when we are defending.”

Newton Abbot’s tries were scored by Josef Webber (2), Lloyd Radford, McKenzie Straith, Toby Cox and Reuben Brinkley. Jack Sweeney converted three from six.

The All Whites travel to Plymstock Oaks on Saturday, December 20, for their final game before the winter break.

Newton sit sixth currently with Plymstock down in 11th- the latter lost 55-17 away at Paignton in their last outing.