NEWTON Abbot RFC 1st XV’s clash with Kingsbridge on Valentine’s Day “could really have gone either way” and unfortunately for them, it ended in defeat.

Steve Perry’s side went flying out of the blocks at Rackerhayes with Kings head coach Joel Caddy conceding that the visitors “were caught off guard by the first 10 minutes.”

The All Whites had the benefit of a trip to Barnstaple IIs the weekend prior, whereas Kingsbridge hadn’t played in over a month due to the recent storms.

This was evident with the former taking the lead after six or seven minutes. After the two teams had felt each other, a huge shove from Newton helped experienced figure Lloyd Radford get over the line and touch down for five points. Fullback Jack Sweeney missed the resulting conversion.

Rather than an instant response from Kingsbridge, Newton Abbot surged forward once more.

A well-executed lineout got the ball into the hands of fly-half Jake Monnington who was able to put Callum Westaway through a gaping hole. The young centre sprinted away and rounded the final defender to extend his team’s lead, Sweeney kicking the extras for a 12-0 advantage.

This was the end of the first-half scoring for NARFC though and it was the turn of the South Hams side to get amongst the points.

Their first drive of note was held up exceptionally well but Kingsbridge couldn’t be kept out forever. With an overload on the left wing, the penultimate man Toby Baldry stepped inside to dive over, George Banfield failing to convert afterwards.

Kings were evidently buoyed by this try as they swiftly came again, moving down the left flank once more.

A high tackle from Owen McLeod brought about a penalty advantage which was used wisely, Jon Merrin the man to score Kingsbridge’s second try. Banfield slotted this kick to make it 12 points apiece at Rackerhayes.

Missed tackles in key areas saw Newton Abbot put themselves under immense pressure. Heavy carry after heavy carry had Kings barrelling towards the tryline and just as it looked as if Henry Rich might spill the ball in the decisive moment, the second-row clung on and touched down for a first Kings lead of the afternoon.

Radford was forced off with an injury, prompting a reshuffle from Perry and his team were able to stem the flow of Kingsbridge points into the half-time break.

Whatever was then said in the home huddle clearly paid dividends as they spread the ball from one wing to another, where Westaway was on hand to run it home. He was tripped but had the time to scramble over and level it at 17-17.

This parity didn’t last particularly long though and within a matter of seconds from the restart, Kings had forced over a bonus point try.

The fixture then entered a bit of a lull where Kingsbridge were massively on top, dominating possession but failing to make much of it. A penalty from in front of the posts was all they had to show for this spell.

Newton eventually made a rare second-half entry into the opposition’s 22 and it proved fruitful, Jed Griffin profiting from a quickly taken penalty to guarantee the hosts at least one point.

Kings struck next courtesy of Oli Simons and with the subsequent kick converted, they led 32-22.

At the other end of the field, aided by a penalty advantage, Newton pushed yet again and with the line at his feet, Alex Parrott was unable to catch and hold a loose pass.

They remained undeterred and a converted try from sub Matt Wrayford set up a grandstand finish on a rare dry day.

Newton Abbot’s final hurrah had the referee at the heart of the action, Westaway crossing in the corner and claiming that he had got the ball down. Kings meanwhile were convinced of a knock-on and the ref rightly concurred, then marching Westaway back for his protestations.

One last twist of fate evaded Steve Perry and co, the coach admitting that “We probably turned the ball over in our half too often and missed some big tackles.”

However, it wasn’t all doom and gloom for him after: “As the points scoring shows, we attacked really well. We scored some nice tries.”

He continued, “I’m getting to know the lads and they’re getting to know me, we’re growing. We’re getting better, albeit slowly.

“It is a slow process but we’re getting there.”

His opposite number Caddy had plenty of praise for the narrow losers: “Newton Abbot played really well at times. It could have gone either way to be honest, they caused us a lot of problems.”

The All Whites have no game on Saturday, February 21, and will return to action the following weekend when they visit Redruth IIs.